Ride of the day in both classes at a surprisingly impressive new track in Argentina was, at least in my opinion, Lucas Coenen and Liam Everts.
Results don’t always tell the story and the results for both riders don’t jump off the sheet but under the context of circumstances both riders’ results are remarkable! Lucas Coenen was wearing wrist braces for a reason with strong rumours going around that he had cracked both after a big crash. In fact, there were strong rumours he wouldn’t even be racing but Coenen defied the norm, flew all the way to Argentina and went sixth overall!
It was even more surprising after his speed on Saturday didn’t seem to come close to that but but when it really mattered, Coenen stepped up, fought the pain and delivered the pace to almost get top five. When he is fully fit, watch out, if that is the pace he has while injured and doing it it on a track with big jumps and sharp braking bumps made it all the more impressive, the 18 year old phenomenon kept his world championship hopes alive last weekend but admitted the results where like a winning after previously playing down the injury.
“My first MXGP race was quite tricky“, commented Coenen. “I didn’t have the best feeling on the track or the best speed but managed a good start in the Quali race until another rider ran into my leg and put me down. I had to fight hard to come back from last to 19th and that was tough. I reset for Sunday and did my best. I finished in the top ten twice and I’m really pleased. It’s almost like a win for me right now and we made some good points. We’ll keep building and swing even higher for Spain”.
Liam Everts wasn’t even sure he was competing a week before, got the all clear and flew to Argentina with very little prep then went fourth overall! The mental strength Liam showed after the trauma of a broken neck, both mentally and physically, to then have to have his first fly away as his first race back on a new team with no real preparation, just underlined the mental toughness Liam has and the result underlined the talent.
Stefan told us the injury even had Liam questioning his career, “the thoughts (of retiring) have been there, especially in the first months, you know, you don’t know how and what and how it will turn out and like I said, it’s been a few difficult months.”
Looking through that prism, what Liam Everts did in Argentina deserves huge credit and, like Lucas Coenen, he kept his title hopes very much alive and should only get better from here.
Liam said: “It feels fantastic to get the first GP of the season done and come away with a strong result! Race one was all about settling in and finding my rhythm after a long recovery, so I was pleased to fight my way back to eighth. In race two, I felt much more at home on the bike, pushing forward and battling for positions throughout. I held fourth for most of the race, but a late crash from Simon Längenfelder in the final corners handed me a podium spot—an incredible way to finish. Looking back at the off-season, I never would have thought this was possible, so a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me—my team, my family, and my trainer. I’m feeling stronger every time I ride, and I can’t wait for Spain!”
Motocross riders are tough!
