Simon Längenfelder (KTM, 2nd place): An important trophy from Great Britain

“It’s never easy to fight your way back from a difficult position,” said Simon Längenfelder after securing his second consecutive Grand Prix podium. Although his deficit to the new World Championship leader, Guillem Farres (Triumph), increased by 5 points last weekend at Foxhills, the German title defender showed grit in every race, battled for race wins and won Saturday’s qualifying race. Guillem Farres proved stronger in the end at Foxhills, but from an outsider’s perspective, one always had the impression that he had the pace of the front-runners. He looked fast yet controlled, even though he made a minor lapse of concentration in the second race, which may well have cost him the day’s victory.

A minor crash, a major impact

In the early stages of the second race, Längenfelder took the lead. However, Guillem Farres immediately applied strong pressure from behind. Simon briefly lost his balance in a rutted section of the track in the upper section; his front wheel slipped out from under him and he went down. As a result, the Spaniard inherited the lead without a fight. “That was a silly crash,” said Längenfelder, annoyed, “but I was still able to keep Guillem on his toes afterwards.”

Simon Längenfelder führte den zweiten Lauf in Foxhills an

Foto: Align Media

The big puzzle

“I’m starting to feel good again,” Simon continued. “It’s always the many small details that simply have to fall into place in the end and make all the difference. It seems I’m almost back on the road to success.”

It’s the many small details that make all the difference in the end.

Simon Längenfelder

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New coach, new luck

The changes in his set-up that Längenfelder had hinted at after the South African Grand Prix refer to his new coach, Marc de Reuver. The Dutchman takes a holistic approach to his athletes’ preparation and training programme and, for example, pays close attention to aspects of nutrition. As is well known, training and nutrition go hand in hand to ensure maximum performance on race day.

Simon Längenfelder on the new Foxhills circuit

The track in England was new to all riders and teams, as the last Grand Prix on this circuit took place in 2000. Simon made no secret of the fact that he was very fond of the former Matterley Basin circuit, as he had celebrated several victories there. At the end of the day, he found the steep slopes at Foxhills cool too. “They’ve done a brilliant job preparing the track here. We had plenty of lines to choose from, the track was technically challenging and it was great fun. I’m delighted to be taking home another trophy from the UK.”

Simon Längenfelder hinter Guillem Farres in Foxhills

Foto: Align Media

The race is heating up

The top of the standings has tightened up again after 12 of 19 World Championship rounds. Längenfelder is currently third in the World Championship standings, 42 points behind the leader after 12 of 19 races.

Team-Meeting nach dem Rennen in Foxhills

Foto: Align Media

Grand Prix of Great Britain MX2:

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

2. Simon Längenfelder (D), KTM, 2-2, 44 (-6)

3. Camden Mc Lellan (ZA), Triumph, 4-3, 38 (-12)

4. Liam Everts (B), Husqvarna, 3-4, 38 (-12)

5. Julius Mikula (CZ), KTM, 6-7, 29 (-21)

6. Janis Martins Reisulis (LV), Yamaha, 5-8, 29 (-21)

Ein Laufsieg im zweiten Lauf hätte in Foxhills den Tagessieg bedeutet

Foto: Align Media

MX2 World Championship standings after round 12 of 19:

1. Guillem Farres (E), Triumph, 563 points

2. Sacha Coenen (B), KTM, 552 (-11)

3. Simon Längenfelder (D), KTM, 521 (-42)

4. Camden Mc Lellan (ZA), Triumph, 501 (-62)

5. Liam Everts (B), Husqvarna, 477 (-86)

6. Janis Martins Reisulis (LV), Yamaha, 434 (-129)