The 2025 MXGP of Latvia officially launched with an impressive Opening Press Conference held at the iconic Ogre Central Library, a celebrated cultural landmark and one of the top four libraries in the world in 2022. The setting was a fitting stage for what is shaping up an impressive round of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
Attended by Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo, FIM / CMS Director Antonio Alia, MXGP of Latvia organizer Kristers Serģis, Ministry of Education and Science Aleksandrs Samoilovs, President of the Latvian Motorsport Federation Mārtiņš Lazdovskis and top riders such as Red Plate Romain Febvre, Lucas Coenen, Simon Längenfelder, and the home heroes Kārlis and Jānis Reišulis, the event highlighted Latvia’s growing importance on the global motocross map.
David Luongo:“It’s always a pleasure to return to Latvia, especially here in Kegums where we see such a strong collaboration between the local organizer, the federation, and the government. We’re at the halfway point of the season, and despite the unpredictable weather, the racing has been fantastic. This is the beauty of motocross, it’s an outdoor sport, and we embrace the challenges it brings. What’s important is that every organizer so far has shown incredible passion and professionalism to deliver top-level events, and Latvia is no exception. It’s also great to see how the sport here contributes to tourism, education, and youth development. The local investment into young riders and infrastructure is paying off and that’s something really encouraging.”
Antonio Alia:“This first half of the season has been intense and, at times, difficult due to the weather, but that’s part of what makes motocross unique. It’s a sport that tests not only the riders but also the organizers. What we’ve seen this year is tremendous resilience. Coming back to Kegums is always a highlight. The teamwork here between Infront, the organizers, the Latvian Federation, and public authorities is outstanding. From a sporting perspective, it’s remarkable how much talent Latvia has produced given its size, this shows that the right structure, commitment, and vision can make a big impact on the world stage.”
Also expressing the importance of the MXGP event were Kristers Serģis, who said, “This marks our 11th year hosting the MXGP of Latvia, and every year we strive to improve. Our goal is always to offer a dynamic, exciting track that challenges the riders and entertains the fans”; then Mārtiņš Lazdovskis highlighted “Right now, Latvia is enjoying what I believe is a golden generation in motocross. We are a small country, yes, but we’ve proven that talent, ambition, and proper development programs can elevate us to the top”; and finally Aleksandrs Samoilovs, emphasised that “It’s not just about sport, it’s about what motocross represents for our country. That’s the legacy events like this create”.
The riders invited then followed in the Opening Press Conference by giving their feel for the event and for the season so far:
Romain Febvre: “It’s been a strong season so far. I had a solid winter preparation, and that really helped me to be consistent from the very beginning. I’ve been scoring good points, staying on the podium, and leading the championship at the halfway mark is a good feeling, but the job isn’t done. We still have many races to go, and I know I can improve in some areas. Coming back to Kegums is always special. I like this track; it’s always evolving, and even with the rain, the surface usually holds up well. I’m looking forward to racing here again and keeping the momentum going.”
Lucas Coenen: “It’s been a learning year for me—stepping up to MXGP is a big jump, especially with the power and setup of the bike. But race by race, I’m adapting better. I’m happy with how things are going, especially sitting second in the championship right now. Kegums is one of the tracks I really enjoy. I’ve had good results here before, and I like the mix of sandy and hard soil, it suits my style. It’s great to be back and have the chance to build more strong memories at this GP.”
Simon Längenfelder: “After five years with GASGAS, switching to KTM has been a new chapter, and so far it’s been going really well. The team put in a lot of work over the winter to give us the best bike possible, and we’ve made big steps forward with the engine and suspension. I had the red plate last weekend, which was a proud moment, but I’m not getting carried away. There are still many races left and I’m just trying to focus on riding at the front each weekend. The goal is to stay consistent and keep fighting for the title.”
Kārlis Reišulis: It’s always special to come back and race in Latvia. Even though I’ve been traveling and racing a lot internationally, this is still home. The atmosphere here is great, family, fans, local food, it just makes the weekend extra meaningful. I haven’t ridden Kegums that much recently, but I know it’s a tough, physical track and I’m excited for the challenge. I’ll give it everything for the home fans.”
Jānis Reišulis: “I’m feeling fully ready for this weekend. It’s been a tough season in terms of qualifying, but I’ve learned a lot through training and racing. This home GP means a lot to me, I’ve raced here before and the track is always a bit different, but that just adds to the excitement. I’m focused and motivated to show what I can do in front of the Latvian crowd.”
Later on Friday, the Blåkläder Start Practice sessions for MXGP and MX2 riders saw full-throttle intensity as teams fine-tuned their bike setups and starts techniques in preparation for the sandy surface of Kegums. These key start tests not only gave riders an early feel for the grip and lines but also provided fans with a first glimpse of the speed and precision expected across the two days of racing.
. 
As the weekend approaches, all attention now shifts to Kegums, where the world’s best motocross athletes will battle it out on the demanding Latvian sand. Known for its technical layout and deep ruts, Kegums is set to deliver another thrilling Grand Prix, adding to Latvia’s proud legacy in the sport.
All the photos from the MXGP of Latvia will be available HERE.
You can find the complete results HERE.
TIMETABLE
SATURDAY: 08:20 EMX125 Group 1 Free Practice, 08:50 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 09:20 EMX250 Free Practice, 09:50 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 10:30 MX2 Free Practice, 11:00 MXGP Free Practice, 12:15 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 12:55 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP Time Practice, 15:00 EMX125 Race 1, 15:45 EMX250 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:25 MXGP Qualifying Race.
SUNDAY: 09:40 EMX125 Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.
LINKS
Photocredits – MXGP
