Fantic Factory Racing MXGP leaves Round 8 of the 2025 FIM Motocross World Championship in Lugo, Spain, with a seventh overall for a resilient Andrea Bonacorsi and an eighth for Glenn Coldenhoff. In EMX250, Simone Mancini narrowly missed out on what would have been a well-deserved podium for the rookie.
The rain just won’t let up this season, and right on cue for the start of the MXGP qualifying race, it returned in Lugo as well. But the big talking point on Saturday was the scary incident at turn one, when Andrea Bonacorsi clipped the rear wheel of another rider and was launched into the air along with his Fantic, before being struck by other bikes. Miraculously, the Italian managed to continue the qualifying race, although he remounted far behind the pack.
Just outside the top 10 after the first-turn chaos, Glenn Coldenhoff fought his way into the points, securing a solid ninth place, while Brian Bogers crossed the line in 13th. Bonacorsi couldn’t do better than 22nd, but his lap times remained very competitive, despite his visibly damaged bike after the hard crash at the start.
The track was once again hit by heavy rain in the hours leading up to the first race on Sunday. Coldenhoff nailed his launch aboard the Fantic XXF 450 but didn’t get the ideal line through turn one, leaving him just outside the top 5. “The Hoff” found his rhythm in the opening laps and went on to deliver a strong performance in muddy conditions, securing fifth place. Bonacorsi bounced back brilliantly after a tough Saturday to finish sixth, while Brian Bogers crossed the line in 13th after losing time in the opening lap.
Once again, the start proved decisive in the final race of the day, as Brian Bogers’ start device disengaged behind the gate, leaving him with work to do from the back of the field, alongside Glenn Coldenhoff, who was unable to replicate his fast launch. Andrea Bonacorsi got off the gate better and battled inside the top 10, but the times were tight and moving forward wasn’t easy. Eventually, Bona crossed the line in seventh for a solid seventh overall. Coldenhoff had to settle for twelfth in the race but still finished inside the top 8 overall, while Bogers finished 13th in both the moto and the overall of the day.
Andrea Bonacorsi:
“I am really happy with this result. Considering what happened in the qualifying race, getting a sixth and a seventh in Sunday’s races is a good outcome. It is not exactly what we are aiming for, but after yesterday’s crash, the most important thing was to come out of it in one piece. In race 2, I struggled a bit because I was feeling a bit sore, but aside from that I felt good on track. I want to thank all the guys in the team and Fantic for their huge support – see you back on track in two weeks!”
Glenn Coldenhoff:
“I am quite disappointed after that second race… The first one was okay – I had a good start, my riding was decent in the mud, and fifth place was a solid result. But in race 2, I didn’t get the start, and even though I gave it everything, I just couldn’t move forward. I was missing some pace, and that was frustrating – when you push so hard and give it your all, but still can’t stay with the guys in front. The track and conditions here were pretty special, and it didn’t really go my way. But we will keep pushing, do some testing next week, and try to come back strong in France.”
Brian Bogers:
“We had some ups and downs this weekend. Of course, just one week ago I dislocated my shoulder, but I think the recovery went quite well – the shoulder feels pretty good and is improving day by day. But once again, we had some bad luck. In race 1, I had to stop twice on the first lap, probably because a stone got stuck in the chain. I lost a lot of positions but still managed to come back to 13th. In race 2, the holeshot device popped out when I was behind the gate, so I was almost last at the start, but I fought back to 13th again. I have to say, I felt quite good on the bike in the second race – and that is positive for my feeling. I think we made a good step forward.”
Fantic Factory Racing EMX
Simone Mancini continues to prove himself as one of the most promising talents in EMX250, once again showing his form in Lugo – the very place where he claimed victory in the 125 class a year ago. Following his maiden race win in Arco di Trento and a second-place finish in race 1 at Agueda, the Spanish GP also got off to a strong start for the 17-year-old Italian, as he secured another excellent second place in the opening race.
The rookie kept his cool when the red flag came out on lap 1 due to a starting gate malfunction, just as Mancini was running in the leading group. On the restart, he got off to an even better launch aboard the Fantic XXF 250, immediately slotting into second place. Showing both speed and determination, he fended off attacks from his rivals in the first part of the race before opening up a small gap, which he managed well all the way to the finish line, securing second place.
The heavy rain that fell overnight and throughout the morning made for particularly treacherous conditions in Sunday’s second race. Mancini wasn’t able to replicate the strong start from race 1 but responded brilliantly, making a series of decisive passes to break into the top 10 within just two laps. He continued to push forward, climbing as high as fifth and placing himself in a virtual second overall. However, the conditions remained extremely challenging, and just a few corners from the end, Mancini was forced to retire due to a technical issue. Despite the unfortunate ending, the Fantic Factory Racing EMX rider still secured fifth overall for the weekend.
Simone Mancini:
“There is not much to say – we were doing a great weekend, but the podium slipped away just two corners from the finish. It is a shame, but we won’t give up. The whole team did a great job. The speed is there, I had a great start on Saturday and a strong comeback on Sunday. I am really happy with how I rode in the mud. I had the pace, and that is a bit of a consolation. We will try again next time!”
