Afyonkarahisar Becomes the Beating Heart of Motocross
MXGP Türkiye 2025 Draws the World
Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye — On the rugged Anatolian plateau, where history and hospitality converge, the thunder of engines once again echoed through the Afyon Motor Sports Center. For the eighth consecutive year, Türkiye welcomed the FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP), transforming the city of Afyonkarahisar into a global arena of speed, skill, and spectacle.
Under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye and with the coordination of the Turkish Motorcycle Federation, the event unfolded on September 6–7, 2025, at a venue already crowned with accolades as the world’s best motocross infrastructure and paddock. Beyond the racing, it became a showcase of Türkiye’s growing stature as a hub for international sports tourism.
More Than a Race: A National Showcase
At the opening ceremony on September 5, officials, including the Governor’s representatives, Members of Parliament, and FIM executives, joined Ahmet Temurci, Türkiye’s Director General of International Organizations and Foreign Relations, who underlined the event’s strategic weight:
“MXGP Türkiye is not only a sporting spectacle; it is a catalyst for sport tourism, for inspiring our youth, and for elevating our nation’s brand on the world stage.”
The statistics underline his point. More than 220 elite riders from over 25 countries lined up at the gates, representing powerhouse manufacturers like Kawasaki, Honda, KTM, Yamaha, GasGas, Husqvarna, and Beta. Races were broadcast live to 180 nations, reaching an estimated 3.5 billion viewers worldwide and generating economic impact measured in billions of lira for Türkiye’s tourism and local industries.
Afyon Motofest: Culture Meets Competition
The championship weekend also hosted the Afyon Motofest, a sprawling youth and culture festival running from September 3–7. Over 400,000 spectators poured into the city, not only for the roar of the motos but also for concerts, cultural showcases, and community gatherings. Afyonkarahisar, long known for its thermal waters and Ottoman heritage, revealed itself as a destination where adrenaline and authenticity coexist.
Heroes of the Track
On the track, the drama matched the atmosphere. In the MXGP class, Dutch icon Jeffrey Herlings (Red Bull KTM) reminded the world why he is nicknamed “The Bullet.” After conceding the first moto to Belgian prodigy Lucas Coenen, Herlings fought back to dominate the second race, claiming his 111th career Grand Prix victory. France’s Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) finished second overall, keeping his title fight alive, while Coenen secured third with flashes of brilliance that promise more in the future.
In MX2, Germany’s Simon Längenfelder sealed victory after an intense duel with Dutch rival Kay de Wolf, while Belgian Sacha Coenen added flair with holeshot heroics and a podium finish. The EMX250 finals delivered their own thrill, with Spain’s Garcia emerging victorious in a field brimming with Europe’s rising talents.
A Global Stage, A Local Legacy
For Afyonkarahisar, the championship is more than a weekend of motorsport. It is a bridge between local culture and global attention, an engine for economic growth, and a symbol of Türkiye’s capacity to host world-class events. As Sport Tourism Department officials observed on-site, the MXGP of Türkiye is now a cornerstone in the nation’s strategy to position itself as a premier destination where sport and travel intertwine.
As engines cooled and the dust settled, one thing was clear: Afyonkarahisar has carved out a permanent place on the world motocross map—and in doing so, reaffirmed Türkiye’s role as a rising force in international sport tourism.
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