Simon Laengenfelder leads MX2 series after MXGP of Argentina
By Team TMX on 8th Mar 26
Defending MX2 world champion champion Simon Laengenfelder kicked off his title defence in commanding fashion by sweeping both motos at the season-opening MXGP of Argentina, giving Red Bull KTM Factory Racing a perfect start to the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship MX2 campaign.
The German controlled proceedings across both races at the demanding Bariloche MX Race Track, celebrating his 10th career Grand Prix victory and marking the 100th GP start of his career in style.
Behind him, the Triumph Racing Factory Team enjoyed a historic day as Guillem Farrés and Camden McLellan completed the overall podium in second and third.
Janis Martins Reisulis grabbed the holeshot for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2, but Laengenfelder stayed close and patiently stalked the Latvian before making the decisive pass on lap six.
Sacha Coenen followed through into second, though he was unable to close the gap to the KTM rider, who controlled the race to the finish.
Farrés produced a late charge to secure third ahead of Reisulis, while Mathis Valin rounded out the top five. McLellan finished sixth after steadily working through the pack.
Another holeshot for the Reisulis family came in race two, this time through Karlis Alberts Reisulis, but the race quickly descended into chaos when a crash involving Valerio Lata and Jens Walvoort triggered a chain reaction that also eliminated Coenen.
Liam Everts soon moved into the lead, but the reigning champion was again relentless. Laengenfelder hunted down the Belgian before executing a decisive downhill out-braking manoeuvre to take control of the race.
McLellan delivered one of the rides of the day, charging through the field to finish second, while Everts held third. Farrés recovered from an earlier battle with Längenfelder to claim fourth.
Laengenfelder leaves Argentina with a perfect 50-point haul, holding the early championship lead.
Farrés sits second after a strong and consistent weekend, with McLellan third as Triumph celebrated a landmark double podium. Everts and Janis Reisulis complete the early top five in the standings.
With fierce competition already emerging throughout the field, the MX2 title fight promises to be one of the most exciting storylines of the 2026 season.
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