- South African racer improves throughout the weekend for his hard-fought result
Monster Energy Triumph Racing’s Camden McLellan has placed a strong seventh overall at round two of the 2024 MX2 World Championship to move up to ninth in the early season standings. Following his eighth-place finish in race one, McLellan improved in moto two to secure seventh. Mikkel Haarup was also on form in Spain. A fine fifth after battling through the top 10 in the opening race of the day was a great start, and in moto two, he was running in sixth until an unfortunate issue dropped him down the running order to 17th.
The MXGP of Spain, held at the deeply rutted and technical intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos circuit, was certainly rewarding for Camden McLellan. Starting race one just inside the top-10, the South African then gave chase to the leaders. With all of his rivals running a similar pace, passing was challenging, however McLellan was able to move up to eighth halfway through the moto. Unable to find a way around Thibault Benistant and into seventh despite his best efforts, Camden crossed the finish line in eighth.
Enjoying an even better start in race two, McLellan battled just outside the top-five for the entire moto. Reaching as high as sixth on two occasions, the 19-year-old was pushed back to seventh with three laps to go. Camden would ultimately be rewarded with seventh overall for the day and moves up to ninth in the MX2 World Championship standings.
The trip to Spain was bittersweet for Mikkel Haarup. Confident of another strong showing after his stunning performance at round one, the Dane maintained his form with a fine fifth in the opening race of the day. Eager to improve upon that result in moto two, Mikkel held eighth before finding his way past two other riders and moving into sixth. Frustratingly, a small technical issue slowed his pace, and he crossed the finish line in 17th.
Camden McLellan: “That’s a wrap on the Spanish GP. I improved slowly all weekend, and my starts were good today, which is really important. Riding near the front was great and we have a lot of positives to take away from here. There are a few small things to work on before round three and we have a great base to build on. It’s going to be a long season and I’m excited for Riola Sardo for round three in two weeks.”
Mikkel Haarup: “That’s round two here in Spain done and dusted. I felt strong all weekend and I was consistent on both days here. I had a great jump off the gate in race one and went for the holeshot but just missed out. It was then a long fight to the end and I was able to finish fifth. In the second race we had a small problem with the bike although I was able to collect some points. We look forward to the next round and another chance to show what we can do.”
Results – MXGP of Spain
MX2 Race 1:
1. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 35:35.021
2. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 35:38.352
3. Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 35:39.878
4. Liam Everts (KTM) 35:40.678
5. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 35:50.828
8. Camden McLellan (Triumph) 36:17.931
MX2 Race 2:
1. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 35:28.621
2. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 35:30.365
3. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 35:31.380
4. Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 35:32.113
5. Thibault Benistant (Yamaha) 35:52.252
7. Camden McLellan (Triumph) 36:05.093
17. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 37:51.104
MX2 Overall
1. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 47pts
2. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 42pts
3. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 40pts
4. Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 38pts
5. Liam Everts (KTM) 33pts
7. Camden McLellan (Triumph) 27pts
11. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 20pts
MX2 World Championship Standings
1. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 113pts
2. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 101pts
3. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 82pts
4. Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 75pts
5. Thibault Benistant (Yamaha) 72pts
6. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 64pts
9. Camden McLellan (Triumph) 52pts
