Promising start to the season for Fantic Factory MXGP

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The Fantic Factory MXGP team contested its first pre-season race of 2026 last weekend in Alghero. The opening round of the Italian Championship immediately provided a tough test for the team and its riders, Brent van Doninck and Alberto Forato.

For Forato, it was his first race after several months of rehabilitation following a knee injury. He started the day strongly by setting the fourth-fastest time in time practice. Van Doninck also began the day on a positive note with sixth fastest time.

At the start of the first moto, both riders showed their speed straight away. Alberto Forato came through the first corner in third position, while Brent van Doninck settled into fourth. Unfortunately, Forato suffered a crash in the opening lap, which dropped him back to fourteenth place. With strong and consistent riding, he managed an impressive comeback to finish seventh.

For Van Doninck, the first moto looked very promising for a long time. While running in third position, disaster struck with three laps to go when a radiator hose broke. As a result, he immediately lost all coolant and was forced to retire from the race.

The second moto again began with misfortune for Van Doninck, who crashed in the first lap and had to continue from last place. Showing great determination and a strong pace, he fought his way back to finish sixth.

Forato also encountered bad luck in the second race. After around fifteen minutes, while running in third position, he crashed. He rejoined the race around sixth place and once again worked his way forward, finishing the moto strongly in third position.

Both riders demonstrated good speed and resilience throughout the weekend. In the overall classification, Alberto Forato finished fourth, a solid result after a weekend full of battles and valuable lessons.

Alberto Forato | Fantic XXF 450 | 4th overall (7-3)
“My first race with Fantic – and my first race back after eight months – went well, despite two crashes across the two races. In race 1, I remounted way back and managed to climb up to seventh place. I also tipped over in race 2, but I was able to finish third in the race, for fourth overall. We didn’t really know what to expect coming into the weekend, given that I still need more hours of training on the new bike, but it went very well. We have seen that we are on the right path, and now we will keep working!”
Brent Van doninck | Fantic XXF 450 | 11th overall (18-6)
“First race done here in Alghero, and I had a good feeling all day long. We had a small issue in the first race, but these pre-season races are useful to test things and make sure everything is ready for the MXGP opener in Argentina. In the second race, I had a small crash on the first lap, but still finished sixth. Overall, it was a good first test. We will continue working to get closer and closer to 100%.”
Despite the setbacks, the Fantic Factory MXGP team looks back positively on this first race. The season opener in Alghero proved to be a tough but educational event in preparation for the upcoming MXGP season.

Overall Results – Italian MX1 Championship, Alghero:
1 Lucas Coenen 50 Pnt
2 Tim Gajser 38 Pnt
3 Oriol Oliver 38
4 Alberto Forato 34 Pnt
5 Mattia Guadagnini 34 Pnt
11 Brent van Doninck 18 Pnt

Fantic presents all-new line-up for the 2026 MXGP season

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Fantic is excited to embark on a new journey, teaming up with Jacky Martens’ renowned JM Racing structure and welcoming Alberto Forato and Brent Van doninck as Fantic Factory Racing MXGP riders for 2026.

It is a fresh start, but the passion and drive that have made Fantic an emerging force in MXGP remain unchanged, after an impressive run of seven podium finishes, a maiden race win and third place in the final championship standings of the 2025 season. Fantic is delighted to confirm its presence at the highest level of the FIM Motocross World Championship, announcing an exciting new partnership.

From 2026, the Italian brand will entrust the official Fantic Factory Racing MXGP team to one of the most longstanding and renowned structures in the paddock, led by the vast experience of Jacky Martens, 500cc World Champion in 1993. Lining up on the factory Fantic XXF 450 machines will be 25-year-old Italian Alberto Forato and 29-year-old Belgian Brent Van doninck.

Mariano Roman, Head of Racing at Fantic Motor, said: “We are excited to embark on this new journey with Jacky Martens, undoubtedly a major name in European Motocross history. Many champions have emerged from his team, and we are sure he will do an outstanding job with our two new riders, who were held back by injuries in recent seasons but are now motivated and ready to join our project as we begin this new adventure.”

Jacky Martens, Fantic Factory Racing MXGP Team Owner:
“I am very happy to make the move to Fantic – back in the position where we want to be: a Factory Team working closely with R&D to further improve the bike. Fantic has already proven to be competitive, with really strong results this past season, but this is a new challenge and it comes with new motivation. After spending our first few days meeting everyone at the factory in Italy, I have a very good feeling that we can build a great future with Fantic Factory and JM Racing. I am also really happy with our two riders. I had already spoken to Alberto a few times in past years, but we never found the right opportunity to work together, so I am very pleased that he is joining us now. Everything looks positive and he will be ready at the beginning of December. I look forward to seeing him on the bike. Brent has already been with us for three years, he had some setbacks, but now he is injury-free, which is very important. I think with these two riders we have really good potential. To start, the goal is the top 10 – we all know the MXGP class is extremely competitive – and from there it will be about building, step by step.”

Brent Van doninck:
“I am very happy to join the Fantic Factory Racing MXGP team. It has always been a dream of mine to become a factory rider in the premier class. Also, having been a JM Racing rider for three seasons already makes it even more special, and it helps to know many people. Straight away, I had a really good feeling with everyone at Fantic too. The first two test days were really positive and I already have a lot of trust in the bike. They have already proven that the Fantic is competitive, with strong starts and great results. I am very excited for 2026 and this opportunity, and confident we can make it a great season.”

Alberto Forato:
“I am happy to start this new adventure! I am getting back into shape, my knee is doing well, and now I can’t wait to start riding again. The base is definitely solid and I expect to do well – I am definitely in the right place. An Italian rider with an Italian brand is already a great fit, especially since we are both from the same region around Venice – I already feel at home! I am excited to join the Fantic family and to work with Jacky Martens’ team, which brings a huge amount of experience. This can help both me and Fantic, and I am sure we can do a great job together.”