Guillem Farres (Triumph) wins in South Africa ahead of Simon Längenfelder (KTM)

Second race of the MX2 class in Johannesburg, Grand Prix of South Africa: Simon Längenfelder and Sacha Coenen (KTM) got off to a good start. Sacha moved onto the inside line of Simon Längenfelder before the first corner. Both riders braked late and were carried slightly wide, forcing Sacha Coenen off the track. Guillem Farres (Triumph) was the one to benefit from this situation. The Spaniard took the holeshot and took the lead ahead of Simon Längenfelder and Janis Martins Reisulis (Yamaha). After his off-track excursion, Sacha Coenen rejoined the race around P6. The Belgian wanted to get back to the front as quickly as possible, but he went off in a fast right-hand bend. His front wheel took a knock, meaning he couldn’t hold on to the handlebars and was thrown over them.

Sacha Coenen musste in der ersten Kurve die Strecke verlassen

Foto: MXGP-TV

Sacha Coenen: Minimising the damage under incredible conditions

The Belgian damaged his radiator in this crash. After dropping back to the rear of the field, he fought his way back with his bike belching smoke. It was a courageous endeavour, as if an overheated engine were to suddenly fail on one of the long jumps, it could be dangerous for the rider. Apart from that, boiling water splashing onto his trousers and racing shirt certainly doesn’t help his performance either. Coenen achieved the seemingly impossible and, under these conditions, rode undeterred and without holding back either himself or his motorbike, fighting his way up to 6th place.

Sacha Coenen stürzte im zweiten Lauf von Johannesburg

Foto: MXGP-TV

Double victory for Farres, Simon Längenfelder a solid second

German Red Bull KTM works rider Simon Längenfelder was unable to quite match the pace of Guillem Farres at the front, but Farres and he pulled so far clear of the rest of the field that his second place was never in danger. Guillem Farres won the second race by a margin of 4.8 seconds and clinched the Grand Prix with yet another one-two finish. As a reminder, the Spaniard also won the Portuguese Grand Prix with a perfect points tally. In South Africa, he dropped just one point in Saturday’s qualifying race.

Fierce battle for third place

The battle for third place on the podium seesawed back and forth several times between Janis Martins Reisulis (Yamaha), Camden Mc Lellan (Triumph) and Liam Everts (Husqvarna). Janis Reisulis showed tremendous determination, fighting his way past Mc Lellan once again to finally secure a place on the podium.

Situation at the top of the standings

Sacha Coenen’s lead shrank from 32 to 14 points in South Africa. More importantly, Simon Längenfelder managed to reduce his deficit to the top of the standings from 62 to 51 points, making it a good weekend overall for the German. In two weeks’ time, the action continues at Foxhill (England) with Round 12 of the World Championship. World Championship leader Sacha Coenen will use the break to compete in Round 6 of the US Nationals at Southwick (USA) this coming weekend.

GP of South Africa, Johannesburg

1. Guillem Farres (E), Triumph, 1-1, 50 points

2. Simon Längenfelder (D), KTM, 3-2, 42, (-8)

3. Janis Martins Reisulis (LV), Yamaha, 4-3, 38, (-12)

4. Sacha Coenen (B), KTM, 2-6, 37, (-13)

5. Camden Mc Lellan (ZA), Triumph, 5-4, 34, (-16)

6. Liam Everts (B), Husqvarna, 6-5, 31, (-19)

7. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LV), Yamaha, 7-7, 28, (-22)

8. Maxime Grau (F), Honda, 10-8, 24, (-26)

9. Jens Walvoort (NL), KTM, 8-12, 22, (-28)

10. Valerio Lata (I), Honda, 12-9, 21, (-29)

11. Kay Karssemakers (NL), Kawasaki, 11-11, 20, (-30)

12. Julius Mikula (CZ), KTM, 9–13, 20, (-30)

13. Ferruccio Zanchi (I), Ducati, 13-10, 19, (-31)

MX2 World Championship standings after 11 of 19 rounds:

1. Sacha Coenen (B), KTM, 518 points

2. Guillem Farres (E), Triumph, 504, (-14)

3. Simon Längenfelder (D), KTM, 467, (-51)

4. Camden Mc Lellan (ZA), Triumph, 455, (-63)

5. Liam Everts (B), Husqvarna, 433, (-85)

6. Janis Martins Reisulis (LV), Yamaha, 400, (-118)

7. Mathis Valin (F), Kawasaki, 352, (-166)

8. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LV), Yamaha, 307, (-211)

9. Valerio Lata (I), Honda, 278, (-240)

10. Kay Karssemakers (NL), Kawasaki, 225, (-293)

11. Julius Mikula (CZ), KTM, 220, (-298)

12. Maxime Grau (F), Honda, 178, (-340)