2026 FOX HOLESHOT WINNERS | TOM VIALLE AND SACHA COENEN
MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 28 September 2026 – Infront Moto Racing was thrilled to continue the Fox Holeshot competition throughout the 2026 season of the FIM Motocross World Championship. The start of a race has become an important craft and skill for all motocross riders. All the advantage taken form the first corners can make a crucial difference by the chequered flag, as a clean start keeps a rider out of trouble and in control of the pace from the opening lap which, in 2026, Honda HRC Petronas’ Tom Vialle and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Sacha Coenen mastered better than anyone else in their respective class.
How does the competition work?
In every MXGP and MX2 Grand Prix, the rider who crosses the white line painted at the exit of the first corner claims the Fox Holeshot and earns one point in the special Holeshot classification. At the end of the season, the rider with the most Fox Holeshot points in both the MXGP and MX2 classes wins a fantastic prize!
This year, Tom Vialle claimed the Fox Holeshot Award in MXGP in his debut season in the premier class, making an immediate impact at the gate on his return to the FIM Motocross World Championship.
In the 2026 season, Vialle secured 12 Fox Holeshots out of 38 starts, accounting for 32% of the total, including both starts at the final round in Darwin. Following him were his 2026 World Champion teammate Honda HRC Petronas’ Jeffrey Herlings, who came in second with 9 Fox Holeshots, and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Lucas Coenen, who placed third with 7 Fox Holeshots.
In the MX2 category, Sacha Coenen claimed the Fox Holeshot Award once again, adding to the title he first won in 2024. Coenen was the quickest out of the gate all season, claiming 15 Fox Holeshots out of 38 starts, 39% of the total, including both starts at five different Grands Prix. Having also won the MX2 Acerbis Best Lap Award, he completes a 2026 double as the fastest rider off the line and around the lap.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Simon Längenfelder finished second with 9 Fox Holeshots, while Triumph Factory Racing Team’s Guillem Farres, the newly crowned MX2 World Champion, took third with 5.
Both Vialle and Coenen were presented with their Fox Holeshot Awards by Bob Buchanan during the 2026 MXGP Awards in Darwin, Australia on Sunday 20 September, held in the garden of the Mindil Casino Resort. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Coordinator Micol Muraglia collected the MX2 award on behalf of the absent Coenen. The ceremony was streamed live globally on MXGP’s Facebook and YouTube channels, as well as MXGP-TV.COM where you can watch it in replay.
*Head Photo: (From Left): FIM / CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela, Tom Vialle, Bob Buchanan, Micol Muraglia, Infront Moto Racing President & CEO David Luongo
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