SA’s Camden Mc Lellan Shines On MX2 Podium
Photos by WMX.
The 2026 MXGP World Championship roared into life in Argentina, with the spectacular Patagonian circuit providing the perfect backdrop for the season opener. Riders arrived hungry after the off-season,and from the moment the gates dropped it was clear the championship fight would be intense.
In the premier class, it was Jeffrey Herlings who set the early benchmark with a dominant performance, while in MX2 Simon Längenfelder showed impressive form. For South African fans, the weekend delivered extra excitement as Camden Mc Lellan secured a superb overall podium finish.
MXGP Race 1.
The opening MXGP moto wasted no time delivering action. When the gate dropped it was Jeffrey Herlings who immediately stamped his authority on the race, launching into an early lead and setting a relentless pace at the front of the field.
Behind him, Tom Vialle and Romain Febvre kept the pressure on, both riders pushing hard to keep the Dutchman within reach. The trio circulated at blistering speed, but Herlings remained composed, controlling the race lap after lap.
As the chequered flag waved, Herlings secured the opening win of the season ahead of Vialle, with Febvre rounding out the top three.
MXGP Race 2.
Race two brought another intense battle, with a chaotic start shuffling the order and forcing several front-runners to fight through traffic.
Once again Herlings went on the attack, carving his way through the field with trademark aggression. One by one he picked off rivals before reaching the leaders and taking control of the race.
From there the Dutchman stretched the gap, sealing a perfect 1-1 performance for the opening round. Febvre secured another strong finish in 2nd, while Tim Gajser fought his way to 3rd.
MXGP Overall.
1st #84 Jeffrey Herlings – Honda
2nd #1 Romain Febvre – Kawasaki
3rd #16 Tom Vialle – Honda
4th #243 Tim Gajser – Yamaha
5th #5 Lucas Coenen – KTM
MX2 Class.
MX2 Race 1.
The MX2 field came out swinging in the opening moto, with Simon Längenfelder quickly establishing himself as the man to beat. The German rider rode with precision, applying pressure early before making his move for the lead.
Once out front he never looked back, stretching a comfortable gap while the battle for the top three positions raged behind him.
Sacha Coenen held firm to claim 2nd, while Guillem Farrés secured 3rd. South Africa’s Camden Mc Lellan rode a steady race to cross the line in 6th, keeping himself firmly in the hunt for a strong overall result.
MX2 Race 2.
The second MX2 moto delivered a moment South African fans had been hoping for. Camden Mc Lellan got away to a strong start and immediately placed himself among the front-runners.
Up front, Längenfelder once again proved unstoppable, but the real fight was brewing just behind him. McLellan rode with confidence and determination, holding off intense pressure as the laps ticked down.
When the chequered flag finally fell, Mc Lellan crossed the line in 2nd place, a brilliant result that secured him a well-deserved podium overall. Liam Everts took 3rd place.
MX2 Overall.
1st #1 Simon Längenfelder – KTM
2nd #99 Guillem Farrés – Triumph
3rd #8 Camden Mc Lellan – Triumph
4th #26 Liam Everts – Husqvarna
5th #772 Janis Reisulis – Yamaha
South African Spotlight.
For South African motocross fans, the weekend belonged to Camden Mc Lellan. His 6-2 scorecard delivered an impressive third overall at the opening round, a strong start to the championship and a clear sign that the young rider is ready to fight at the front of the MX2 field this season.
Next Round.
The championship now heads to Europe for Round 2 of the MXGP World Championship, with the MXGP of Spain (Andalucia) taking place on 22 March in Almonte, Spain. The sandy Spanish circuit will offer a very different challenge as riders look to build momentum early in the 2026 season.
Dont forget: There’s a South African round this year happening at Terra Topia on the 5th July.
