MXGP of Portugal: Everts narrowly misses Águeda podium with fourth overall

Liam Everts delivers another strong MX2 performance at the MXGP of Portugal as Kay de Wolf continues his recovery from injury.

Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing returned to action at round 10 of the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship with Liam Everts flying the team's colours solo at the MXGP of Portugal; as Kay de Wolf continued his recovery from the ankle injury sustained in Italy. 

With the championship reaching its halfway marker, two determined rides from Everts earned a fourth place overall, leaving the Belgian just one point shy of the Grand Prix podium.

The iconic Crossódromo Internacional de Águeda offered a different challenge to recent years. Instead of rain and mud, riders faced hot temperatures, a dry red-clay surface and deepening ruts that demanded precision and consistency throughout the weekend.

Saturday's MX2 Qualifying Race was interrupted by a red flag, but Everts responded superbly after the restart. Running with the leading group throughout, the Belgian secured fourth place and an important gate pick for Sunday's races.

Sunday’s opening MX2 moto saw Everts fight his way forward after a steady start. Finding his rhythm as the race unfolded, he climbed to fifth and closed to within a second of fourth at the chequered flag after a determined late charge.

A stronger start in race two immediately placed Everts in podium contention. Running fourth for much of the moto, he maintained impressive pace on the demanding circuit before making a decisive move into third with just two laps remaining. Despite a late scare while negotiating a lapped rider at the finish line, the Belgian held firm to secure P3 at the chequered flag.

Everts' 5-3 scorecard earned fourth overall on 36 points, leaving him just a single point shy of the overall podium while adding another valuable championship haul as the MX2 title fight entered its second half. The result also marked back-to-back fourth-overall finishes for Everts, underlining the momentum he has built over recent rounds.

Kay de Wolf remained absent in Portugal as he continued his recovery from the ankle injury sustained during timed practice at the previous round in Italy. The Dutchman remains focused on his rehabilitation alongside the team and medical staff as he works towards a return to racing.

Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing now heads to Johannesburg for the MXGP of South Africa on July 5, with round 11 marking the third Grand Prix in as many weekends as the championship enters its second half.

#26 - Liam Everts: "Overall it was a solid weekend and I feel like we're continuing to make progress. We were close to the podium and only missed it by one point, which is frustrating, but there are still plenty of positives to take away. The pace was there, especially in the second moto, and I'm happy to come away with another good result for the team. Now the focus is on carrying this momentum into South Africa next weekend."

Results  -  2026 FIM Motocross World Championship, Round Ten:

MXGP - Moto One:
1. Lucas Coenen (KTM) 35:12.425; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) 35:16.097; 3. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) 35:40.860; 8. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 36:22.914; 

MXGP - Moto Two:
1. Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) 35:36.420; 2. Lucas Coenen (KTM) 35:42.623; 3. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) 35:52.480; 7. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 36:44.975;

MXGP - Overall:
1. Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) 47pts; 2. Lucas Coenen (KTM) 47pts; 3. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) 40pts; 7. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 27pts;

MXGP - Standings:
1. Lucas Coenen (KTM) 506pts; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) 449pts; 3. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) 394pts; 6. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 313pts; 8. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 273pts;

MX2  -  Moto One:
1. Guillem Farres (Triumph) 35:01.379; 2. Janis Martins Reisulis (Yamaha) 35:06.020; 3. Simon Längenfelder (KTM) 35:09.140; 5. Liam Everts (Husqvarna) 35:10.802; 6. Sacha Coenen (KTM) 35:35.040;

MX2  -  Moto Two:
1. Guillem Farres (Triumph) 35:00.046; 2. Sacha Coenen (KTM) 35:11.763; 3. Liam Everts (Husqvarna) 35:31.030; 6. Simon Längenfelder (KTM) 35:50.472;

MX2  -  Overall:
1. Guillem Farres (Triumph) 50pts; 2. Janis Martins Reisulis (Yamaha) 40pts; 3. Sacha Coenen (KTM) 37pts; 4. Liam Everts (Husqvarna) 36pts; 5. Simon Längenfelder (KTM) 35pts;

MX2  -  Standings:
1. Sacha Coenen (KTM) 477pts; 2. Guillem Farres (Triumph) 445pts; 3. Simon Längenfelder (KTM) 415pts; 5. Liam Everts (Husqvarna) 397pts;