As we enter the MXGP of France, in a little over a week time, we all await who brings home the victory on the hard pack circuit of Lacapelle. So far this season, we have seen Lucas Coenen, the series leader go 1-1 in Spain at round two, 1-1 in Sardinia in round four and put together seven moto wins in total, from Saturday and Sunday.

The Belgian teenager has also gone 2-1-2-5-1 on Saturdays and while he has just a four-point lead over HRC factor rider, Jeffrey Herlings, at times, he has looked levels above the legendary Dutchman.

With 17 GP wins to his name already, 10 in MX2 and seven in MXGP, he is charging up the all-time GP winners list and despite not having a world title to his name, his stats are more than a little impressive. Already 19 race wins on the 450 from 24 rounds raced, and 15 podiums. He also averages 39 points a GP.

Coenen rode to victory on the Saturday in Trentino a month ago, to consolidate his hold on the red plate. The Belgian had P1 pick on Sunday but a crash on the first lap of the opening moto of the day left him needing to pick a route through the pack. Lucas made it from 26th to 12th by the end of the 30 minutes and 2 laps.

In the second race he started better, moved to the lead for seven laps but a slip dropped him to third and he crossed the line in that position, for 7th overall. Lucas still heads the MXGP standings by 4 points.

“Overall, I’m happy that I’m healthy and fit. I didn’t have high expectations for this track because it’s not really [suited to] my style. Two crashes in the first moto and I had to pass a lot of people. In the second I tried to settle in and keep cool but paid for that little mistake. At least I had good pace, so I have to be happy and look forward.”

Coenen recovered from a tip-off during the Qualification Heat in Sardinia on Saturday to ride back to 5th place and the same pick in the gate for Sunday. The Belgian accordingly made a top five start but then experimented with some new lines to make time and surged to the front of the pack for his fourth checkered flag.

In the second outing Lucas repeated his getaway, and only a late fall created a closer climax than expected. Despite the pressure, the 19-year-old was able to consolidate his speed and go 1-1.

“I made a gap in the second moto, but it grabs you so quick! I went on my ear, and it took a lot of energy out of me. I said to myself ‘I cannot lose this one…’. I’m so pumped and we worked so good with the team. I’m really happy with the double race win.”

At round three in Switzerland, Coenen pushed from a top five start to take 2nd in the Heat on Saturday: earning the Belgian 9 points and the second pick of slots in the gate. On Sunday the Andalucian GP winner had an eventful first moto. A good start was derailed by a fall on the third corner and misplaced chain.

Lucas was able to get back into the race and reached the fringes of the top ten but was then disqualified for outside assistance. In the second outing, Coenen seized the holehost and built up a lead of more than ten seconds by the fifth lap. He cruised to the finish for his third win from the last four and was 8th overall.

“It feels good to keep the red plate, but I was bit mad about the first moto. I really wanted to win that second one. I started well, didn’t crash and controlled the gap. Happy to finish on a good note.”

Now, with the French GP just eight days away, you know that Coenen is working hard with his twin brother Sasha, and preparing for what the opposition might throw at him in France. It isn’t going to be easy, but since his arrival on the GP scene in 2023, his French GP results have been 4-1-2, so he doesn’t mind a little bit of blue groove either.