The 2025 MXGP World Championship is serving up a fascinating title battle between two riders at very different stages of their careers—Lucas Coenen and Romain Febvre. Just 47 points separate the pair as the series heads to Germany this weekend, the halfway point of the championship, and with both riders in top form, the stakes are only getting higher.
For Coenen, it’s a case of making the extraordinary look routine. The Belgian teenager is attempting what few have done before—win the MXGP title in his rookie season. Interestingly, Febvre himself knows exactly how to win the title as he clinched the championship as a first-year MXGP rider exactly ten years ago in 2015.
That shared experience makes Febvre the perfect man to judge what Coenen is attempting to do—and a tough competitor for Coenen to beat.
Coenen: “In my head, I’m not a rookie”
Despite his youth and inexperience at this level, Coenen is doing his best to shake the rookie label as he tries to ride with the composure and intelligence of a seasoned contender.
“For me, like you said, I’m young, I’m learning, but I’m trying to be like them. In my head, I’m not a rookie. If I can get a good battle with them and maybe get some tricks out of my pocket and show some good things, it can be nice. I’m loving it and trying to be like them and be more intelligent than I was before. I just adapt and I want to be not like a rookie making stupid mistakes. It’s difficult, but I’m trying to not be on the ground and show what I can do.”
There’s no doubt that Coenen has raw speed in abundance, but what’s really catching the eye is his ability to manage races, take calculated risks, and limit costly errors—traits that usually come with years of experience.
Febvre: “Lucas has nothing to lose”
Meanwhile, Febvre brings the kind of race craft only time can teach. The Frenchman might have that incredible 2015 title under his belt, but he’s yet to repeat that success—despite often being one of the fastest men on track. Now, with a young charger like Coenen breathing down his neck, the 33-year-old knows exactly what he’s up against.
“When you’re a rookie, you don’t really care about much. The results don’t really matter—you’ve got everything to learn. I think in my first MXGP season, I was kind of in the same situation as Lucas. You’ve got nothing to prove, you just do what you can. If it’s a podium, great. If it’s a win, even better. Lucas has nothing to lose, and I think he’s already shown what he’s capable of—it’s a good thing for him.
I’ve got the experience. In some ways, it’s easier to manage a season with experience, not just individual races. I’m also honest with myself—I know what I need to work on and what I can leave alone. I know what to look out for. With experience, you’re better at judging what to do in general, and during the races too.”
That blend of youthful hunger and seasoned savvy is exactly what’s making this title chase so intriguing. Coenen has serious raw pace, while Febvre carries the knowledge and mental fortitude that only a decade in the premier class can deliver.
As we hit the midway point in Germany, one thing’s for certain: this is far from over. They are set to push each other every step of the way in what could become a generational clash for the ages.
