This weekend, we’re heading to Arnhem for the MXGP of the Netherlands, the fourth round of the WMX World Championship. Last year, Lotte van Drunen triumphed in front of a home crowd. Let’s find out what’s at stake before this weekend.
Track overview: the terrible sand of Arnhem
The motocross track of Arnhem, officially called Motorsportpark Gelderland Midden, is located in the forests near Arnhem, the Netherlands. Opened in 2016, it quickly became a top venue and has hosted the MXGP of the Netherlands since 2023, with a contract running at least until 2027. The sandy soil makes the track extremely technical and physically demanding, as it develops deep ruts and waves. The circuit measures around 1.7 km and includes a variety of jumps, rollers, tabletops, and banked corners. Some small changes took place on the track for this new edition. Riders and fans praise its challenging layout and natural surroundings.
Weather forecast: a weekend without rain?
From Friday to Sunday, the weather in Arnhem is expected to be mixed but generally mild. Friday may start with some morning showers before turning mostly cloudy, with highs around 19 °C. On Saturday, conditions should improve slightly with a blend of sun and clouds, although a light shower or two remains possible, and temperatures will reach about 20 °C. Sunday looks the most pleasant, bringing a mix of sunshine and scattered clouds with a comfortable high near 21 °C.
Championship leaders and key contenders
This fourth round of the WMX World Championship could be a turning point for the championship ahead of the final two rounds in Turkey and Australia. Four riders are in the running for the title. Lotte van Drunen arrives for her HomeGP with the leader’s red plate and the confidence of her double victory here last year. Second in the standings, Kiara Fontanesi won the last two rounds and intends to continue her winning ways. On home soil, Lynn Valk is keen to claim her first victory of the season. A result that would allow her to close in on the leading duo. Daniela Guillen is the fourth rider still in contention for the title. The Spaniard is coming off two good results. Without her mistake in Saardinia, she would be higher in the standings. A positive result would give her renewed confidence.
Among the other riders in the Top 20, there are many unknowns regarding the end of the championship. While many riders will be in Turkey, there are still questions surrounding Australia. We will be keeping an eye on Sara Andersen’s return to the championship. The Dane will not be present for the final two rounds. In the sand, Shana van der Vlist wants to shine and reach the podium. She is in the battle for fifth place with Amandine Verstappen and Larissa Papenmeier. Danee Gelissen, Martine Hughes and April Franzoni want to consolidate their positions in the Top 10. Malou Jakobsen wants to string together two good races this weekend, as does Lucy Barker. The battle for points in the Top 20 promises to be fierce again.
