Simon Längenfelder (KTM) on Afyon: “First race win since Sardinia”

Simon Längenfelder has had a few difficult months. The 2026 season got off to a flying start and, in the first four Grands Prix, defending his title seemed to be a mere formality. But things took a turn for the worse from the fifth World Championship round in Trentino onwards. At Lacapelle (6th Grand Prix) he missed out on the podium, and things went from bad to worse after that. Längenfelder’s last race win came in the second race at Riola Sardo on 12 April. At the German Grand Prix (World Championship round 7), he started whilst struggling with ill health as the reigning World Championship leader and, of all places, had to hand over the red plate of the World Championship leader to Sacha Coenen at his home Grand Prix. After that, Längenfelder went on to win the qualifying races in Portugal, England, the Czech Republic and Sweden, but it was no longer enough to secure a victory in a championship race, where the most points were up for grabs.

The deadlock is finally broken

Now the deadlock has finally been broken: Simon Längenfelder fought his way back to the top in the first race in Turkey and celebrated his first race win since 12 April. “The past Grands Prix have been quite difficult for me,” explained Simon after the race in Afyonkarahisar. “That’s why this race win felt really good. In the first race, I gave it my all and secured my first win since Sardinia. In the second race, I was in third place but then stalled the engine. After that, the positions were practically set. The track was also a bit tricky.” Simon finished the Grand Prix in second place with a 1-3 result, behind World Championship leader Guillem Farres (Triumph, 2-1).

“I can be satisfied with second place overall,” added Simon. “Now I’m looking forward to the overseas races in China and Australia. Things are always a bit different there, and a bit of a change is good.”

The situation at the top of the standings

With two Grands Prix still to go, Simon trails World Championship leader Guillem Farres by 80 points. Defending his title is therefore only mathematically possible for him. However, he is just 20 points behind Sacha Coenen in third place in the World Championship standings, and 30 points behind Camden Mc Lellan. This means Längenfelder actually still has a realistic chance of finishing the World Championship on the podium.

MX2 Afyonkarahisar

1. Guillem Farres (E), Triumph, 2-1, 47 points

2. Simon Längenfelder (D), KTM, 1-3, 45, (-2)

3. Liam Everts (B), Husqvarna, 4-2, 40, (-7)

4. Camden Mc Lellan (ZA), Triumph, 3-4, 38, (-9)

5. Kay Karssemakers (NL), Kawasaki, 8–5, 29, (-18)

6. Maxime Grau (F), Honda, 7-6, 29, (-18)

7. Julius Mikula (CZ), KTM, 5-8, 29, (-18)

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World Championship standings after Event 17 of 19

1. Guillem Farres (E), Triumph, 806 points

2. Camden Mc Lellan (ZA), Triumph, 756, (-50)

3. Sacha Coenen (B), KTM, 746, (-60)

4. Simon Längenfelder (D), KTM, 726, (-80)

5. Liam Everts (B), Husqvarna, 696, (-110)