After a short refresh break, the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Team touched down for racing on European soil again, following their total domination of the fly-away races in Indonesia two weeks ago. The picturesque and formidable Loket circuit beckoned, boasting its fearsome layout of steep climbs, and winding rock-laden turns.  Nestled in the hillsides of the scenic Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic, Loket is a truly iconic venue on the FIM Motocross World Championship calendar, having featured nearly every year since 1995. For current MX2 Red Plate holder Kay de Wolf, the venue held special significance, as victory had eluded him there throughout his career. That was until now. The Dutchman delivered a true champion's performance throughout a rollercoaster weekend, which started with a huge crash during lap three of qualifying. The Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Team worked through the night to repair his bike for the start gates on Sunday. Repaying their efforts, de Wolf finished third in the opening moto and then cruised to a dominant victory in the second moto. Better yet, the 3-1 result earned him his fifth victory of the season and extended his championship lead by 46 points. Teammate Lucas Coenen was in hot pursuit, eager to close down the championship gap to de Wolf. The Belgian charged to the front during Saturday’s qualifying to take an emphatic victory—his fifth qualifying win of 2024—and moved into Sunday with the prime gate slot. Despite a tough start in Sunday’s opening moto, which initially dropped Coenen to 13th, the Belgian once again charged through the field, taking the lead on lap seven. By the final flag, Coenen had controlled the race with a nine-second lead over rival Simon Längenfelder. A difficult second moto saw Coenen swing between 8th and 4th, despite a heavy crash into a mud bank while racing his teammate. At the final flag, a 1-4 finish placed the Belgian third overall on the podium, setting him up to fight for the win at his home GP in under a week’s time. For Mattia Guadagnini, Loket proved to be a weekend of mixed fortunes. Continuing his move to the front of the grid, Mattia showed why he is one to watch. Setting a strong pace in qualifying, Mattia ran in P4 for much of the session before slipping to a respectable seventh at the end. On Sunday, the Italian made a blistering start in the first moto, fighting his way up to 8th. Notably at mid-race distance, Mattia went bar-to-bar for several laps with former world champion Romain Febvre.  The second moto saw Mattia make another excellent start, almost clinching the holeshot. However, an unfortunate crash after catching the rear wheel of Jorge Prado forced him off the bike. The incident was further compounded as other riders ran over him. Despite this, Mattia displayed remarkable determination, jumping back on his bike and pushing 100% to finish 16th. His combined results of 8-16 placed him 18th overall for the weekend. Next up is the famous sand circuit in Belgium—Lommel—for the MXGP of Flanders on the 28th June. #101 - Mattia Guadagnini: “It was going well until the second moto - and overall I think I can be quite satisfied with the weekend. I really pushed over Saturday and Sunday, and I felt good with the track. In qualifying I was running fourth, but I couldn't quite keep that pace for the whole moto - so I slipped to 7th. In the first moto - I started around 10th and finished eighth. Then in the second moto, I almost took the holeshot, but then I got together with Jorge in the first corner and couldn't stay on the bike. Some guys ran over me - which I could feel. That was a hard one for sure. I got back on the bike and pushed 100% to the end anyway to make up some positions. For the riding, I can be quite satisfied. I’m getting closer to the front now - and for sure I’m happy about that!” #74 - Kay de Wolf: “It was amazing to get the victory, even though the starts didn't make it easy, but I’m so happy with the result. I got a little bit emotional on that podium. From last year going through so much pain, I was on the box as well, and then in 2018 I missed out on the Junior 85cc - which also just raced here this weekend - so to finally get the win here feels very special. I couldn't have done it without the amazing team behind me, they are really doing a great job. They had to do so much work overnight to fix the bike, which was completely bent after a big crash on Saturday, so a big shout out to them for sure!” #96 - Lucas Coenen: “For sure, even though we were on the podium, it felt like a tough one. I don't have loads to say about the first moto - I came from 13th through to win, the track was pretty tough and it was quite hot - so it was a challenge physically. In the second moto, my start was good but I got pushed wide from the inside and then I messed it up and I crashed. It was a big hit, but I tried to come back as best as possible. We don't quit, we just race as hard as we can - and I’m looking ahead to Lommel to go as fast as I can!” Results - 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship, Round Thirteen:
MXGP – Overall:
1. Tim Gajser (Honda) 45pts; 2. Jorge Prado (GASGAS) 44pts; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 43pts; 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (Yamaha) 36pts; 18. Mattia Guadagnini (Husqvarna) 18pts MXGP – Moto One:
1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 35:28.261; 2. Jorge Prado (GASGAS) 35:36.343; 3. Tim Gajser (Honda) 35:38.655; 8. Mattia Guadagnini (Husqvarna) 36:21.951 MXGP – Moto Two:
1. Tim Gajser (Honda) 35:31.253; 2. Jorge Prado (GASGAS) 35:34.284; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (Yamaha) 35:35.613; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 35:40.787; 16. Mattia Guadagnini (Husqvarna) 37:28.356 MXGP – Standings:
1. Tim Gajser (Honda) 663pts; 2. Jorge Prado (GASGAS) 527pts; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 608pts; 12. Mattia Guadagnini (Husqvarna) 194pts MX2 – Overall:
1. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 45pts; 2. Simon Längenfelder (GASGAS) 44pts; 3. Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 25pts; 4. Liam Everts (KTM) 36pts; 5. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 34pts; 15. Sacha Coenen (KTM) 12pts; 32. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 0pts MX2 – Moto One:
1. Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 33:54.414; 2. Simon Längenfelder (GASGAS) 34:04.363; 3. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 34:07.997; 5. Liam Everts (KTM) 34:12.456; 26. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 27:33.493; 28 Sacha Coenen (KTM) 21:10.215 MX2 – Moto Two:
1. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 33:54.288; 2. Simon Längenfelder (GASGAS) 33:56.246; 3. Liam Everts (KTM) 34:02.033; 4. Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 34:14.973; 9. Sacha Coenen (KTM) 34:53.616; DNS. Andrea Adamo (KTM) MX2 – Standings:
1. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 626pts; 2. Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 580pts; 3. Simon Längenfelder (GASGAS) 560pts; 4. Liam Everts (KTM) 515pts; 5. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 457pts; 8. Sacha Coenen (KTM) 362pts; 16. Marc-Antoine Rossi (GASGAS) 122pts

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider Malcolm Stewart finished seventh and Christian Craig ninth overall in Washougal's eighth round of the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship, continuing their consistent top-10 form in the 450MX division during the Military Appreciation weekend of the series. Stewart placed his Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition into seventh position at the conclusion of qualifying and then he charged through the pack to 10th in the opening moto. This afternoon's second outing went far more smoothly, impressing on his way to a sixth-place finish and taking home P7 overall. Malcolm is also seventh in the championship standings.
"Washougal was good and practice was actually really strong for me,"   Stewart said.   "I actually got off to an okay start in Moto 1, but came together with another rider and both went down, so I had to get up and charge from the back of the pack. In the next moto, my start was way better and I rode really hard all the way towards the end. I'm happy with everything, we rode good all day, and we'll enjoy this two-week break – maybe do some fishing and hang out with the family before we get into the last three!"
Directly behind his teammate in qualifying, Craig had the eighth gate pick for the premier class races, in which he managed a 7-12 scorecard. Sitting ninth in points, it was another important step in his return to competition during the outdoors and he will take advantage of the next two weekends off to make further gains.
"Qualifying was good, I was comfortable straight away, and always enjoy coming here,"   Craig reflected.   "Moto 1, I made my way up to seventh and was able to stay there, so was pretty stoked with that. In the second moto I damaged my shifter on a rut or something about midway through, and was stuck in second gear following that. I salvaged what I could, so look forward to getting my arm a little stronger in the break, and we'll come out swinging for the last three."
In his first appearance at Washougal – known for its technical, shady nature – Casey Cochran endured a more challenging day out in 250MX. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider rode his Husqvarna FC 250 Rockstar Edition to 12th in qualifying, followed by 15th in Moto 1 and 13th in Moto 2. As a result, he was 15th overall and is ranked 11th in points.
"It was a tough day for me today,"   Cochran commented.   "I struggled to get comfortable with the track, which showed in my results. I didn't make great starts today either, but we know what we need to work on, and we will come out stronger following the break."
Next Race:  August 10 – Unadilla, New York

Results 450MX Class – Washougal National
1. Chase Sexton (USA), KTM
2. Aaron Plessinger (USA), KTM
3. Jason Anderson (USA), Kawasaki
7. Malcolm Stewart (USA), Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
9. Christian Craig (USA), Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

Standings 450MX Class 2024 after 8 of 11 rounds
1. Chase Sexton, 360 points
2. Hunter Lawrence, 332
3. Justin Cooper, 284
4. Aaron Plessinger, 281
7. Malcolm Stewart, 213
9. Christian Craig, 161
10. Justin Barcia, 148

Results 250MX Class – Washougal National
1. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha
2. Tom Vialle (FRA), KTM
3. Jo Shimoda (JPN), Honda
4. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), GASGAS
5. Pierce Brown (USA), GASGAS
11. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM
15. Casey Cochran (USA), Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

Standings 250MX Class 2024 after 8 of 11 rounds
1. Haiden Deegan, 361 points
2. Tom Vialle, 307
3. Levi Kitchen, 291
7. Pierce Brown, 195
9. Ryder DiFrancesco, 181
11. Casey Cochran, 153
13. Julien Beaumer, 148

Teenage rookie Casey Cochran has claimed a spectacular first-career podium finish at the Spring Creek National, leading the majority of 250MX Moto 2 this afternoon on his way to a P2 finish, which resulted in third position overall in a breakout ride at Round 7 of the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship. After qualifying in ninth position, 18-year-old Cochran matched that result in the opening encounter on his Husqvarna FC 250 Rockstar Edition. It was another encouraging effort well inside the top 10, but his best was yet to come in Moto 2.
Following a serious amount of rainfall before gate-drop, it was the second outing that Cochran really made his mark in, leading for more than half race distance and eventually bringing it home in P2. That placed the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing revelation a well-earned third overall and he's now 11th in the point standings.
"I can't even explain the feelings right now!"   Cochran said.   "I got a great start, amazing first laps, got a good lead, and I was just shocked... I'm looking back, like, 'Where did everyone go?'. To cross the finish second, I was stoked, and then to come in third overall, it's an unreal feeling. All the hard work is paying off, so I'm ready to keep building and to keep progressing."
Both Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing 450MX riders, Christian Craig and Malcolm Stewart, raced to top 10 finishes on their Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition machinery in Millville, led by Craig in P7 and Stewart in 10th place overall.
Craig was impressive throughout the weekend at the Spring Creek National, setting the sixth-fastest lap-time in qualifying. He started strongly in the races and managed seventh-place results across both motos, which placed him seventh overall. Craig is currently 10th in the premier class standings.
"Today started off good with my best qualifying all season,"   commented Craig.   "All-in-all, I got better starts, was riding better all-round, and stayed off the ground. We put in two solid motos for my best finish of the season so far – I can't be mad, but we're always striving for more."
As for Stewart, he qualified eighth and then scored P8 in Moto 1, before having to settle for a 15th-place finish in the final race, which saw heavy rain arrive in the closing stages. The end result was 10th overall in his full-time return to the outdoors, still ranked eighth in the series with four rounds remaining.
"I actually had fun today,"   Stewart recalled.   "First moto, I went down, but made a lot of passes for eighth and that was great. Second moto, not a terrible start, and then I got together with another rider. I put a hard charge on, went down again, and – I'll be honest – I kind of gassed myself out at that point. It's part of racing when you're on the edge and getting going again. We'll take what we got and learn, so I'm looking forward to getting back to Washougal next." Next Race:  July 20 – Washougal, Washington

Results 450MX Class – Spring Creek National
1. Chase Sexton (USA), KTM
2. Hunter Lawrence (AUS), Honda
3. Justin Cooper (USA), Yamaha
4. Aaron Plessinger (USA), KTM
7. Christian Craig (USA), Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
10. Malcolm Stewart (USA), Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

Standings 450MX Class 2024 after 7 of 11 rounds
1. Chase Sexton, 310 points
2. Hunter Lawrence, 297
3. Justin Cooper, 249
4. Aaron Plessinger, 239
8. Malcolm Stewart, 185
9. Justin Barcia, 148
10. Christian Craig, 136

Results 250MX Class – Spring Creek National
1. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki
2. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha
3. Casey Cochran (USA), Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
6. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), GASGAS
7. Tom Vialle (FRA), KTM
10. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM
14. Pierce Brown (USA), GASGAS

Standings 250MX Class 2024 after 7 of 11 rounds
1. Haiden Deegan, 314 points
2. Levi Kitchen, 263
3. Tom Vialle, 260
7. Pierce Brown, 162
10. Ryder DiFrancesco, 147
11. Casey Cochran, 137
12. Julien Beaumer, 128