As the 2026 MXGP World Championship edges ever closer, few teams arrive at the start gate with more momentum than the Red Bull KTM squad led by Davide de Carli. All eyes are firmly fixed on the Coenen twins as they prepare to take on the world championship once again.
Pre-season racing has already offered a glimpse of what could lie ahead. From dominant 1-1 performances in Sardinia to braving brutal conditions in France, the signs are clear: speed is not in short supply. But for de Carli, success is never just about raw pace. It’s about preparation, progression, and piecing together every small detail that makes the difference across a long and unforgiving championship campaign.
Lucas Coenen enters 2026 after a sensational rookie MXGP season that saw him challenge for the title against some of the sport’s most established stars, while Sacha continues to establish himself as a formidable force in MX2. With just the two riders under his guidance this year, de Carli faces a slightly different dynamic — but one that could allow even greater focus as the team targets championship gold.
We caught up with de Carli as he reflects on the twins’ winter programme, their American experience which included some Supercross riding, lessons learned from racing the very best at the Motocross des Nations, and the expectations that come with fighting at the front. Calm, measured, and as ambitious as ever, the Italian team manager makes one thing clear: the goal is simple — win.
GateDrop: Davide, the 2026 season got underway at in Alghero – it couldn’t have gone much better with the twins going 1-1. What impressed you the most about their day? You must have been happy with their performances…
De Carli: The 2026 MXGP season is now close. There is really not much left to go and I can’t wait to start another season together with the Coenen brothers. The pre-season races went very well like in Alghero, we collected two victories in both categories, winning two heats with Lucas and two with Sacha.
GateDrop: They then decided to race Pernes in France – totally different conditions! Things didn’t go to plan for them but only 12 riders started the final race so it shows the conditions looked pretty wild (laughs)…
De Carli: We were also in Pernes, the lap times were excellent, and they proved to be very fast. Unfortunately, the weather conditions didn’t help, there was a crash for Lucas in the first race but without consequences, he still showed good speed together with Febvre. We decided not to take risks in view of Argentina because the track had become a bit too demanding and we decided to play it safe in view of the MXGP world championship.
GateDrop: Both have a lot of speed so what sort of things did you work on with them over winter?
De Carli: Like every year, we worked on every detail, improving the things we had seen during the 2025 season.
GateDrop: After the MXoN last year, they stayed in America to ride some Supercross. How did they get on at that? Did they get much time off before focusing on the 2026 season? I am sure you wanted them to get some time off, so they don’t get burnt out…
De Carli: After the Motocross des Nations, the Brothers stayed in America to take a break, learn new things, train, and also have some fun in supercross and motocross. Thanks to KTM and the American team, we organized everything necessary for training, and I think it was a good and productive thing overall.
GateDrop: Lucas had an amazing rookie MXGP season and challenged for the title. Nobody really expected that before the season – even though he didn’t win the title and was probably disappointed about that. What sort of things do you think he’d have learnt the most from last year?
De Carli: I think Lucas had a record-breaking season in 2025. I’m really proud of the results we achieved together: six GP wins, holeshots, fastest laps, and a great desire to win. Being a rider with a winning nature, he doesn’t like to finish second, but we have to be realistic, it was a wonderful season. He learned a lot in just one year, and I believe that in the 2026 season he will be able to put it all together and fight for the world title again.
GateDrop: You only started working with Lucas and Sacha at the start of the 2025 season – is there anything that surprised you about them when you started to work with them?
De Carli: I started working with the Coenen’s at the end of the 2024 season and together we worked hard to be as competitive as possible. The guys surprise me day after day, they are dreamers and every day is different from the others, they are very special and unique guys in what they do and what they give for this sport – they are hard workers with talent and an incredible desire to win.
GateDrop: The team only have the two riders for 2026, how has it been only working with two riders, you usually have at least three so is that quite strange to get used too?
De Carli: For many years we have worked with three riders in the team. Tony, Jorge, Mattia, subsequently with Jorge, Mattia and Simon, achieving excellent results and world titles in both categories. We are always ready to work on every front and on every project together with KTM. In the 2026 season there will be two riders and two twins in the MX2 and MXGP classes, working with two riders is certainly easier because you can put more focus even if there is never anything easy because there is always a new challenge to face. I can’t wait for the season to get underway.
GateDrop: What are your goals for Sacha and Lucas in 2026? I guess it’s to deliver the titles? It’s always easier said than done – I’m sure you know that more than anybody!
De Carli: Every year there is always a new challenge to face. The goal is certainly to win, I know that every year it is increasingly difficult because there are riders who are really strong and competitive. In the MXGP class this year there will be riders with a lot of experience and many world titles wins, but we will also have young riders who come from the 250 class who are very fast and motivated. Almost all of them moving up are world champions so they know how to stay at the front – it will certainly be exciting.
GateDrop: Lucas raced against Jett at the Motocross des Nations last year, what sort of things do you think you’d have learnt from him at that event? He kept it a respectful gap until the crash!
De Carli: The Motocross des Nations was a great race. We had the opportunity to race against Jett – Lucas and Jett were very close and the speed was similar. Jett is a complete rider in every way and I admit that at the moment it is very difficult to stay ahead of him, he is very young but already has a few years of experience on the 450cc. Lucas only has one year of experience on the 450cc and is just 19 years old. Surely year after year Lucas will become more and more complete and it will be fun to see them together again at that top level of the sport.
GateDrop: Jorge Prado had some amazing times with your team – how nice is it for you to see him riding like himself again after a bad year? He was adapting really well to Supercross before that injury he picked up…
De Carli: I’m very happy to see Jorge competitive again in America, I was sure and I never had any doubts about him. I think he will soon start to become interesting, race after race he is always learning new things and seems to be very comfortable with the team and on the bike. I’m proud of what he’s doing, and I wish him the best. We worked together for many years and won four world titles, we talk on the phone almost every day and we have a great friendship, I’m cheering for him!
