A Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing dance in the dunes sees de Wolf storm to a career first MXGP podium while Everts delivers again with back-to-back MX2 rostrums.
Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing delivered an outstanding performance at round four of the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship, as the MXGP of Sardegna provided a spectacular and punishing test in the deep sands of Riola Sardo. On one of the most physically demanding circuits of the season, Kay de Wolf celebrated his first MXGP podium with third overall, while Liam Everts secured back-to-back MX2 podium finishes with another third overall.
Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing delivered an outstanding performance at round four of the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship, as the MXGP of Sardegna provided a spectacular and punishing test in the deep sands of Riola Sardo. On one of the most physically demanding circuits of the season, Kay de Wolf celebrated his first MXGP podium with third overall, while Liam Everts secured back-to-back MX2 podium finishes with another third overall.
The sixth running of the Sardinian Grand Prix once again lived up to its reputation. Set close to sea level on the 1750m Riola Sardo circuit, the deep beach sand created relentlessly rough conditions, demanding maximum fitness and precision. Gusting winds and ever-changing lines added to the challenge, making it a true “dance in the dunes”.
Everts carried his strong form from Switzerland into the weekend, qualifying fourth before delivering two composed and determined motos. In race one, he started well and settled into the lead group, working his way into third with a decisive late pass on Janis Reisulis before controlling the position to the finish.
Race two proved even more demanding. A compromised start left Everts outside the top ten, but he quickly carved his way forward through the field. With calculated aggression and smart line choices, he climbed to fourth by mid-race. After briefly dropping to fifth in a late battle, he reclaimed fourth with two laps remaining and held firm under pressure to secure third overall for the second consecutive Grand Prix. The result also promotes him to third in the MX2 World Championship standings.
De Wolf, continuing his impressive transition into MXGP, showed both speed and his trademark sand style across the weekend. After qualifying seventh, he delivered a strong ride in moto one, progressing to fourth by the chequered flag and narrowly missing the podium.
Moto two, however, was exceptional. An incident at the start left him down in 24th, but the Dutchman responded with a sensational charge through the field. Within a handful of laps he had broken into the top ten, and by mid-race he was already battling inside the top six.
Maintaining relentless pace and composure, de Wolf continued his charge in the closing stages. A decisive pass on Romain Febvre elevated him into podium contention, and he secured third at the finish. His remarkable recovery earned third overall with a 4-3 scorecard – marking his maiden MXGP podium and moving him up to ninth in the championship standings.
With momentum building, the team now heads to mainland Italy for the MXGP of Trentino in Pietramurata on April 19.
#74 – Kay de Wolf: “That one means a lot. Sardegna is one of the toughest tracks we go to and in that second moto it was very tough at the start. I think I was almost last, but in the sand you can always find different lines, and I just kept believing I could come back. Every lap I was passing guys and getting more into the flow. When I got into third, I just gave everything to bring it home. To take my first MXGP podium like that, in these conditions, is pretty special. I’ve always loved riding in the sand and this feels like a big step for me in this class.”
#26 – Liam Everts: “It was a really tough weekend physically, the sand here just drains you, so I’m happy to come away with another podium. The first race was good, I could ride my own pace and make the pass when it mattered. In the second one I didn’t get the best start, so I knew it was going to be a fight, but I stayed calm and just worked my way forward. At the end it was all about managing the pressure and bringing it home. Two podiums in a row and moving up to third in the championship is really positive, especially on a track like this.”
Results – 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship, Round Four:
MXGP – Moto One:
1. Lucas Coenen (KTM) 34:57.852; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) 35:17.486; 3. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) 35:44.347; 4. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 35:52.863; 6. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 36:08.390
MXGP – Moto Two:
1. Lucas Coenen (KTM) 34:33.504; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) 34:34.723; 3. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 35:32.968; 18. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 34:56.424
MXGP – Overall:
1. Lucas Coenen (KTM) 50pts; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) 44pts; 3. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 38pts; 11. Andrea Adamo (KTM)18pts
MXGP – Standings:
1. Lucas Coenen (KTM) 192pts; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) 178pts; 3. Tom Viale (Honda) 162pts; 8. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 107pts; 9. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 105pts
MX2 – Moto One:
1. Sacha Coenen (KTM) 35:26.597; 2. Simon Längenfelder (KTM) 35:39.564; 3. Liam Everts (Husqvarna) 35:55.483;
MX2 – Moto Two:
1. Simon Längenfelder (KTM) 35:46.884; 2. Sacha Coenen (KTM) 35:55.195; 3. Camden McLellan (Triumph) 36:00.840; 4. Liam Everts (Husqvarna) 36:09.574;
MX2 – Overall:
1. Simon Längenfelder (KTM) 47; 2. Sacha Coenen (KTM) 47pts; 3. Liam Everts (Husqvarna) 38pts;
MX2 – Standings:
1. Simon Längenfelder (KTM) 205pts; 2. Sacha Coenen (KTM) 181pts; 3. Liam Everts (Husqvarna) 166pts;
