Summer and tradition in Tuscany – Preview of World Championship Round 9 in Montecarchi

Following a rather chilly 2026 season in terms of weather, with frost in Frauenfeld and rain in the valley basin, summer is finally set to arrive this coming weekend. Set in Tuscany, the season’s halfway point will be celebrated at the Crossdromo Miravalle in Montevarchi, with expected daytime highs of 36 degrees Celsius, sunshine and cloudless skies. The historic circuit returns to the World Championship calendar after 20 years.

First World Championship round in 20 years

This will be the 8th World Championship event at the Crossdromo Miravalle. The first 125cc World Championship round took place in 1980. Past winners include Michele Rinaldi, David Thorpe, Donny Schmit and Stefan Everts. In 2003, Everts secured two class victories in a single day at this venue. The track in Montevarchi is new to all riders and teams.

Lucas Coenen with even greater confidence

During his US outing a week ago, it didn’t appear from the outside that Red Bull KTM factory rider Lucas Coenen had to push himself to the limit to keep up with Jett and Hunter Lawrence (Honda). Following Jeffrey Herlings’ third technical retirement of the season at the last World Championship round in Kegums, his lead at the top of the standings has grown to 62 points. This means that Lucas Coenen will retain the leader’s Red Plate in any case.

How fit is Tim Gajser?

Following his crashes at Lacapelle-Marival and Teutschenthal, Yamaha factory rider Tim Gajser suffered severe knee problems. Whether he is fit again after a two-week break from racing will become clear this weekend.

World Championship standings after round 8 of 19:

1. Lucas Coenen (B), KTM, 404 points

2. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, 342 (-62)

3. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, 310 (-94)

4. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, 294 (-110)

5. Kay de Wolf (NL), Husqvarna, 273 (-131)

6. Maxime Renaux (F), Yamaha, 261 (-143)

7. Ruben Fernandez (E), Honda, 247 (-157)

8. Andrea Adamo (I), KTM, 241 (-163)

9. Tom Vialle (F), Honda, 219 (-185)

10. Pauls Jonass (LV), Kawasaki, 175 (-229)

Can Simon Boden make up for lost ground now?

Defending champion Simon Längenfelder (Red Bull KTM) must now try to regain his form following his crash and retirement at Kegums. Consistency at a high level secured him the World Championship title in 2025. It is well known that World Championship leader Sacha Coenen (KTM) can set an enormous pace, and this was particularly evident in the second race at Thunder Valley. But the wild Belgian is always pushing to the limit – and often beyond it – and that is exactly what happened in the first race at Thunder Valley, where he went down twice. A 37-point deficit is no small matter, but it is no reason for Längenfelder to give up. After coming down with flu at the German Grand Prix and the unfortunate crash at Kegums, the German surely deserves a bit of luck this time round.

MX2 World Championship standings after round 8 of 19:

1. Sacha Coenen (B), KTM, 380 points

2. Simon Längenfelder (D), KTM, 343 (-37)

3. Guillem Farres (E), Triumph, 340 (-40)

4. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA), Triumph, 326 (-54)

5. Liam Everts (B), Husqvarna, 314 (-66)

6. Mathis Valin (F), Kawasaki, 308 (-72)

7. Janis Martins Reisulis (LV), Yamaha, 280 (-100)

8. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LV), Yamaha, 223 (-157)

9. Valerio Lata (I), Honda, 216 (-164)

10. Kay Karssemakers (NL), Kawasaki, 161 (-219)

EMX250 in the supporting programme

Only the riders from the EMX250 European Championships are competing in the supporting programme this weekend. Spanish Bud-Kawasaki rider Francisco Garcia leads the championship after 6 of 12 rounds, with a 53-point lead over his Australian team-mate Jake Cannon. In third place is the Dane Nicolai Skovbjerg (Husqvarna).

EMX250 after 6 of 12 rounds

1. Francisco Garcia (E), Kawasaki, 252

2. Jake Cannon (AUS), Kawasaki, 199 (-53)

3. Nicolai Skovbjerg (DK), Husqvarna, 186 (-66)

4. Gyan Doensen (NL), KTM, 172 (-80)

5. Mads Fredsoe (DK), KTM, 135 (-117)

6. Liam Owens (AUS), KTM, 130 (-122)

7. Nicolò Alvisi (I), Honda, 122 (-130)

8. Bernardo Tiburcio (BR), Yamaha, 100 (-152)

9. Adria Monne (E), GASGAS, 99 (-153)

10. Tom Brunet (F), Yamaha, 97 (-155)

Here’s how to follow the races*):

• Live timing (free)

• Live stream on MXGP-TV.com

Saturday, 20 June 2026

• 12:00 – Studio show with Paul Malin

• 13:35 – MX2 qualifying

• 14:10 – MXGP qualifying

• 15:40 – EMX250 Race 1

• 16:25 – MX2 Qualifying Race

• 17:15 – MXGP Qualifying Race

Sunday, 21 June 2026

• 11:25 – EMX250 Race 2

• 13:00 – MX2 Race 1

• 14:00 – MXGP Race 1

• 16:00 – MX2 Race 2

• 17:00 – MXGP Race 2

*) Times in CEST, subject to change