Following an unusual four-week pause in the schedule, the FIM Motocross World Championship roars back into action this weekend at Lacapelle-Marival for round six of the 2026 MXGP season, with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP and MX2 riders refreshed, reset and ready for an intense stretch of racing.
The French venue marks the beginning of a demanding run of three consecutive Grands Prix and, adding even more significance to the weekend, Lacapelle-Marival will also host the opening round of the 2026 FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship. Reigning champion Lotte van Drunen will line up with the coveted number one plate on her De Baets Yamaha-supported YZ250F as she begins the defence of her title and chases a third straight WMX crown.
Although Lacapelle-Marival has only appeared on the MXGP calendar once before, in 2021, it is far from unfamiliar territory for the paddock. The French circuit has long been a popular destination for international pre-season races, meaning most riders know its technical and demanding layout well. The venue also holds positive memories for both Maxime Renaux and Tim Gajser, who stood on the podium when the circuit made its MXGP debut five years ago.
For French star Maxime Renaux, the weekend represents more than simply another Grand Prix. Currently sixth in the MXGP standings with 178 points, Renaux has used the four-week break to reset after a frustrating opening phase to the season.
Renaux explained that he had spent the break focused on improving both physically and mentally, while also racing to maintain sharpness and stay in rhythm.
“I’ve been locked in the last few weeks,” Renaux said. “Working hard both on and off the bike. I did some racing in that time too to get some starts in and stay in the rhythm of racing.”
After a start to the season that failed to fully meet expectations, Renaux said the team had gone back to basics to prepare for what he views as a fresh opportunity.
“The first part of the season didn’t go exactly the way we had hoped, so we went back to the drawing board, did some more work, and going into the rest of the year it feels like a new beginning,” he said.
With a heavy schedule looming, featuring multiple triple-headers over the coming months, the Frenchman knows consistency will be key if he is to fight his way back into podium contention.
“We have a really busy few months coming up with a lot of triple headers, so it’s going to be intense, and this part of the season is going to be very important,” Renaux added. “The goal is to be more consistently in the top three, and I hope to get some wins too.”
A home Grand Prix only adds to the motivation for the 24-year-old, who is looking forward to racing in front of passionate French fans at a circuit he enjoys.
“I’m looking forward to starting again, and with a home GP for me,” he said. “I really like Lacapelle. It’s a nice track and I’ve always enjoyed racing there. I know there will be a huge French crowd with a lot of enthusiasm, and I love racing with their support, so it’s going to be a good weekend.”
While Renaux is eager to make the most of home soil, Tim Gajser arrives in France carrying momentum after claiming his first race win of the season in Italy before the break. The five-time world champion sits fourth in the MXGP standings with 198 points and has used the downtime to recover from the rib injury he suffered at Riola in Sardinia.
Gajser admitted the pause in the calendar arrived at the perfect time after pushing through injury at the previous rounds.
“The break in the calendar couldn’t have come at a better time,” Gajser explained. “It gave me time to heal and recover after breaking my ribs at the GP in Riola, and then racing with that injury in Trentino, so I used the first couple of weeks to recover.”
The Slovenian has since spent considerable time in Italy working with the team to refine his bike package and believes progress has been made heading into the next phase of the season.
“Now we’re getting ready for the second part of the season, and I’m feeling good,” Gajser said. “Over this past week, I’ve spent a lot of time in Italy, testing and pushing for small improvements. I feel like we have made another step in the right direction.”
Although still working his way back to full strength, Gajser remains confident in both himself and the team around him as he targets more silverware.
“We’re still building, but I know what I am capable of, and I have a good team around me,” he added. “We are all working really hard, and we know what is possible, so the goal from here is to ride like I know how, and to have fun on the bike.”
In MX2, Yamaha’s Latvian brothers Janis Reisulis and Karlis Reisulis return from the break refreshed and eager to hit the ground running as the championship resumes.
Currently sixth in the MX2 standings on 170 points, Janis balanced training with school commitments during the break, while also staying race-sharp by contesting the Dutch Masters.
“I spent most of my time training and recovering, alongside school work for my upcoming exams, but I still managed to find some free time to spend with my brother,” Janis Reisulis said. “The highlight was definitely the Dutch Masters races; it’s always fun to be with the whole team.”
As the championship resumes, Janis is keeping his approach simple.
“My goals remain the same—to go out there, enjoy it, and ride my best,” he said. “The track is quite nice when it’s well-prepared, and I’m excited to get back to a hard-pack surface, so I’m hoping for a good result.”
Brother Karlis, eighth in the standings with 150 points, also remained busy through the hiatus, briefly returning home to Latvia before refocusing on training and bike time.
“I went home for a week, but mostly spent my time focusing on physical training and time on the bike,” Karlis Reisulis said. “The best part was the training itself; it was difficult, but I really enjoyed it.”
Like his younger brother, Karlis heads to France with a straightforward objective.
“My goals remain the same—to ride my best,” he added. “While I remember the track not being the biggest, it is nice and technical.”
Elsewhere, the EMX125 Championship resumes for round five this weekend and brings added significance for the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 squad.
French rider Sleny Goyer will enjoy home support while sitting third in the standings and chasing another podium result, while teammate Kiwi Levi Townley is finally set to make his long-awaited season debut following a shoulder injury setback.
