In a finish that will be talked about for generations, French motocross sensation Lucas Renard delivered an awe-inspiring, last-lap surge to claim the 2025 FIM Motocross World Championship title, sealing one of the most dramatic comebacks in the sport’s history.
Renard, 26, entered the final round trailing championship leader Jaxon Briggs of the USA by a slim but daunting 8-point margin. With the odds stacked against him and early mechanical issues dropping him to 12th place in the opening laps of the final moto, few gave Renard a chance. But the Frenchman had other plans.
As the 30-minute + 2 lap moto unfolded on the historic Maggiora circuit, a raucous crowd watched in disbelief as Renard began slicing through the field with surgical precision. Navigating the technical terrain with fearless aggression, he gained position after position, closing the gap on the leaders in a relentless charge that defied logic — and fatigue.
Up front, Briggs rode conservatively, aiming to protect his points lead. But what he didn’t count on was the sheer pace Renard carried in the final laps. With just two laps remaining, Renard had climbed to fourth. Then, in a heart-stopping sequence on the final lap, he made three daring passes — including an inside line gamble over the infamous “Dragon’s Back” — to snatch the win in the final corner.
“I knew I had nothing to lose,” Renard said, barely able to contain his emotion at the finish line. “This was my only shot, and I gave it everything I had. To win like this, for my family, my team, my country… it’s unreal.”
Renard’s improbable win, combined with Briggs finishing sixth, handed the championship to the Frenchman by a single point — 483 to 482 — the closest margin in MXGP history.
Fans and commentators were quick to hail the race as one of the greatest moments in motocross. “That was something out of a movie,” said retired legend Antonio Cairoli, who was on-site providing commentary. “Lucas didn’t just win a race — he made history.”
Social media exploded within minutes of the final flag, with the hashtag #RenardMiracle trending worldwide. Even President Emmanuel Macron tweeted his congratulations, calling Renard “a symbol of French courage and determination.”
With this victory, Lucas Renard becomes the first Frenchman to win the MXGP title since Romain Febvre in 2015. Beyond the trophy, his performance cemented him as a global icon in motorsports — and a testament to what can be achieved when heart, skill, and belief come together in perfect harmony.
As the sun set over Maggiora, Renard stood atop the podium, tears in his eyes, championship medal around his neck — a true champion who didn’t just win, but willed his way into motocross immortality.
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