Van Mechgelen and the Fantic XX 125 Crowned Dutch Masters Champions, Mancini and Bellei Shine in Italy
Fantic Factory Racing riders delivered standout performances across the top national championships this weekend. Douwe Van Mechgelen clinched the 125cc title at the Dutch Masters of Motocross in Markelo, while Brian Bogers secured third place in the premier class standings. At the Italian Prestige Championship in Cingoli, Simone Mancini claimed his first podium of the season, and Francesco Bellei opened the 125 Rookies Cup with a solid third overall.
As the MXGP and EMX championships took a weekend off ahead of the upcoming triple-header that will see the Fantic Factory Racing teams head to France, Germany and Latvia over the next three weeks, the spotlight shifted to two of the most prestigious national championships: the Italian MX Prestige Championship in Cingoli and the final round of the 2025 Dutch Masters of Motocross in Markelo.
At the latter, it was Douwe Van Mechgelen who stood out aboard the Fantic XX 125, securing the Italian brand’s first title of the season by clinching the 125cc crown in a thrilling finale at the Dutch Masters. The young Belgian sealed the championship with an impressive overall victory – his second win from three rounds – courtesy of a third-place finish in race 1 and a stunning win in race 2.
There was more good news from Brian Bogers, the sole Fantic Factory Racing MXGP rider competing in Markelo. With a solid performance consisting of two fourth-place finishes, Bogers ended the 2025 Dutch Masters third overall in the premier class standings.
It was also a positive weekend for the Fantic Factory Racing EMX squad in Cingoli, where Simone Mancini claimed a well-deserved first podium of the 2025 season aboard the Fantic XXF 250. Racing in front of his home crowd, the 17-year-old from the Marche region immediately impressed by setting the second-fastest MX2 time in Saturday’s qualifying – just two tenths off pole position.
Despite battling a cold, Mancini had a lightning start in Sunday’s first race. He slotted into second place from the first corner and stayed close to the leader in the opening laps, eventually pulling away from the chasing pack. Thanks to a strong pace and smart race management, he crossed the line in second. After a slightly slower launch off the line in race 2, the Fantic rider fought hard right to the chequered flag, crossing the line in fourth – and securing third overall. It was Mancini’s first podium of the 2025 season and his second in the MX2 class of the Italian Prestige Championship, following his stunning 250 debut in Arco last October.
Also racing in Cingoli was his Fantic Factory Racing EMX teammate Francesco Bellei, who took part in the opening round of the 125 Rookies Cup. The 16-year-old Italian grabbed the holeshot in Saturday’s first race aboard the Fantic XX 125. Although he had to relinquish the lead in the early stages, he delivered a strong performance to secure second place.
Race 2 got off to a hectic start, as Bellei came close to going down in the second corner but managed to recover just in time, albeit losing valuable ground. While battling his way back through the field, he suffered a minor crash but continued to push hard. A decisive overtake in the closing stages earned him sixth place in the race to secure third overall.
Douwe Van Mechgelen:
“What a special day! I felt really good right from time practice. In race 1, my start wasn’t the best, and the track was quite one-lined. I was sitting behind third for a while before making a pass, and even though I set the fastest laps, I couldn’t close the gap to the leaders. So, the championship was tied on points going into the final race. I took the holeshot, made a mistake and lost a position, but with two laps to go I managed to pass again – and secure the title. I am just so happy right now because we work so hard for moments like this. Thanks to my family, my team and everyone at Fantic, my friends, and all the people supporting me trackside this weekend. I am really looking forward to carrying this momentum into the upcoming races.”
Simone Mancini:
“It feels great to get on the podium at my home race! I woke up with a bit of a cold and was struggling to breathe, but I still gave it everything I had. In race 1, I got off to a very good start, tried to keep my rhythm and stay consistent, and I managed to bring home a strong second place. The top riders weren’t too far ahead in race 2 either, but after a slightly slower start, I just couldn’t get any closer to them. Still, I am really happy with this first podium of the season – it is definitely an important step forward. I want to thank my team and everyone at Fantic for the great work they have done. A big thanks also to all the fans in Cingoli and all my friends who came to cheer for me – you were amazing!”
