The 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship heads west this weekend for Round 3 at Thunder Valley Motocross Park in Lakewood, Colorado. From the long-awaited American debuts of Lucas and Sacha Coenen to the latest chapter in the Lawrence brothers’ battle and several notable roster changes, here are the biggest storylines to follow this Saturday.
The Coenen Brothers Arrive in America
Perhaps the biggest talking point of the weekend is the AMA Pro Motocross debut of Lucas and Sacha Coenen.
Fresh off a dominant weekend at the MXGP of Latvia, where both riders extended their championship leads, the Belgian brothers have crossed the Atlantic to test themselves against America’s best.
Sacha Coenen will line up in the 250 Class, while Lucas Coenen will race in the premier 450 division. Their appearance offers a rare opportunity to directly compare two of the world’s brightest motocross talents against the top riders in the United States.
There is also a historical touch to their entry numbers. Lucas will compete with the #104 in tribute to Belgian legend Roger De Coster, who famously used the same number during his early appearances in the Trans-AMA series. Sacha, meanwhile, will carry the #109.
A couple of trivia notes: Shae Bentley won two 125SX Main Events using the #104, while Australian rider Craig Anderson carried #109 to victory at Southwick in 2003.
And if either brother reaches the podium, they would become the first Belgian rider to stand on an AMA Pro Motocross podium since Clément Desalle finished second overall at Unadilla in 2010 with a 2-2 scorecard.
And Speaking of Brothers… Jett and Hunter Back in Business
Only one round was needed for Jett Lawrence to remind everyone why he remains the benchmark in American motocross.
After a lengthy recovery from injury, the Honda rider swept both motos at Hangtown for a perfect 1-1 performance and immediately reinserted himself into the title conversation.
The result reduced his deficit to just six points behind championship leader Hunter Lawrence, setting the stage for another intriguing chapter in the brothers’ rivalry.
While the Lawrence duo occupies the top two spots in the standings, Haiden Deegan remains within striking distance. The Yamaha rider has displayed race-winning speed through the opening rounds but has been hindered by inconsistent starts. He enters Thunder Valley sitting third in the championship, 19 points behind the leader.
Lotte Van Drunen Joins WMX Field
Another international star making the trip to Colorado is two-time FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion Lotte van Drunen.
The 18-year-old Dutch sensation will contest Round 2 of the Women’s Motocross Championship (WMX), providing American fans with a rare opportunity to see one of the sport’s most exciting young talents compete on U.S. soil.
Van Drunen has already established herself as one of the leading figures in women’s motocross worldwide, and her participation adds another layer of intrigue to the Thunder Valley program.
