The Grand Prix of Uddevalla gave us one of the most electrifying weekends of the year, with Romain Febvre (Kawasaki KRT) putting on a career-defining performance. The Frenchman lived the dream in Sweden: three flawless victories that not only crowned him the undisputed ruler of the round but also extended his championship lead to 41 points, with just four GPs left on the calendar.

From Pressure to Relief

Just two weeks ago, the MXGP paddock was on edge. Lucas Coenen, enjoying three consecutive wins, had slashed the gap to a razor-thin nine points. But in Sweden, the script flipped dramatically.


Images: JP Acevedo

While Febvre got the hat-trick with three holeshots and complete domination across Saturday’s qualifying race and both motos on Sunday, the young Belgian on the Red Bull KTM endured a weekend to forget: poor starts and a crash in Race 2 left him 6th in Saturday’s race and 7-12 on Sunday, finishing only 8th overall. From title threat, Coenen suddenly found himself on the ropes, staring at a daunting 41-point deficit.

“I really have nothing to say about this weekend: only bad starts and bad luck. That’s it. We go again next time.” stated Lucas.

The chance for redemption won’t take long. The next stop, Arnhem, in the deep sand where Coenen is at his best. A crucial showdown awaits if he wants to revive his title fight.

Perfect timing for Febvre

Fully aware of what was at stake, Febvre left nothing to chance, delivering the kind of complete performance that defines champions.

«We have been working even more on the starts and I took two holeshots today; it always makes life easier to have a clear track at the front. In the first moto Jeffrey was not far behind at the end but I wasn’t worried. I have been looking to make a perfect weekend all season and it all clicked here; it’s awesome to do it as the season enters the final stages. This was good for the championship but it’s not done until the last round so I must remain sharp until the end.»

It was Febvre´s first 1-1-1 of the season – Image: JP Acevedo

Gifting, Home Hero

If Febvre was the master of the weekend, the heart of the Swedish crowd belonged to Isak Gifting. The JK Yamaha privateer nearly pulled off the unthinkable in Race 2, hitting the front on the final lap and sending his home fans into a frenzy. But just a few corners from the checkered flag, a mistake robbed him of what could have been his first-ever MXGP moto win.


SO CLOSE! Images: JP Acevedo

«The second moto was more stressful. I honestly didn’t know where Lucas was in the race but I think the top-five were within a couple of seconds so I didn’t want to risk any mistakes. Jeffrey was on my rear wheel most of the race but then the last couple of laps I noticed it was a Yamaha and, when I heard the crowd, I realised it was Isak. I knew for sure he would go for it on the last lap and he had a really good line where I didn’t expect him. I knew I would still be winning the GP and extending my lead in the championship but then he crashed a couple of turns later and handed it back to me. But I take my hat off to Isak; he was really going for it.»

The Final Strech

With only four rounds left, Febvre has turned pressure into dominance. His lead is no longer fragile—it’s solid. Still, motocross writes its stories in the dirt, not on paper. Arnhem, Turkey, China and Australia will decide whether this weekend in Sweden was the start of Febvre’s triumphal march to a second world title—or merely a brief breather before a fresh counterattack from Lucas Coenen.