Monster Energy Triumph Racing’s Mikkel Haarup has narrowly missed out on another trip to the MX2 podium, placing an impressive fourth overall at the MXGP of Sweden. The team’s strong showing was also boosted by Camden McLellan’s performance with the South African racing to a 6-8 result for seventh overall.
From the deep sand of Lommel in Belgium two weeks ago to the hardpack circuit of Uddevalla in Sweden, the 2024 MX2 World Championship calendar continues to serve up challenging race tracks. With the Swedish circuit well known for being notoriously tough to pass on, both Monster Energy Triumph Racing stars benefitted from strong starts all weekend to come away with a considerable haul of points.
Mikkel Haarup maintained his late-season form in Sweden. From the moment he rolled out onto the circuit on Saturday morning, the Dane’s speed was impressive, and it very nearly took him to the MX2 qualifying race victory.
Haarup was eager to pick up from where he left off on Saturday and brought the same high pace into Sunday’s races. Starting third in moto one, he passed Simon Langenfelder to move into second at the halfway stage before he began to chase down the race leader, Lucas Coenen. With Coenen ultimately just out of reach, Haarup crossed the line in a fine second place, with his focus already turned to race two.
With the slippery track drying out considerably, passing proved almost impossible at the front of the field in race two. Ending lap one in sixth, Haarup was unable to make any forward progress while also holding off Ferruccio Zanchi for the duration of the moto. Finishing sixth secured Mikkel fourth overall, with the 22-year-old maintaining fifth in the MX2 World Championship.
Camden McLellan showcased his speed and consistency in Sweden to deliver a strong 6-8 result. Working with the team throughout the weekend to dial in his TF 250-X to suit the challenging track, the talented youngster placed seventh overall. Thanks to his inspiring performances in recent weeks after returning from injury, Camden returns to the top 10 in the championship in ninth, with five rounds remaining.
Monster Energy Triumph Racing return to action next weekend at the MXGP of The Netherlands. Taking place over the weekend of August 17-18, the event will be round 16 of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship and the second of three back-to-back races on the calendar.
Mikkel Haarup: “It’s been a really good weekend here in Sweden as I battled for the win in race one and also the qualifying race. Nearly winning the qualifying race shows how good the bike is and my speed as well, so the weekend started off almost perfect. This gave me a good gate pick for the races, and in the first one, I started up front in third. Once I got into second, I chased after Lucas Coenen the best I could but he was just too far ahead. In race two, I didn’t find my flow like I did in the first moto so I ended up sixth for fourth overall. With the team we’ve had another great weekend, and now it’s on to The Netherlands.”
Camden McLellan: “This weekend turned out to be pretty good after the rain we had on Friday. I was feeling a bit tight on the bike Saturday, but between the team and KYB, they were able to find me a little extra comfort and I think that it showed in the races. I was able to push to the finish in both motos and felt strong on the bike. I just need to find a little more intensity and take that to Arnhem, and it should be a better weekend. Thanks to everyone, and I’m excited for next weekend.”
Vincent Bereni – Monster Energy Triumph Racing Team Manager: “Overall, it’s been a really positive weekend. Both riders did a great job, and with Mikkel leading most of the qualifying race, it shows his ability and the performance of the TF 250-X. Then today, his pace and riding was good again, it was just a shame he missed out on the podium. Camden also had a good weekend, and his starts were much improved compared to recent rounds. He’s now back inside the top 10 in the championship, so it’s been another positive GP and now it’s back to the sand in The Netherlands.”
Results – MXGP of Sweden
MX2 Race 1
1. Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 34:58.112
2. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 35:05.275
3. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 35:11.003
4. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 35:12.329
5. Liam Everts (KTM) 35:45.347
6. Camden McLellan (Triumph) 35:48.999
MX2 Race 2
1. Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 34:39.588
2. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 34:44.591
3. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 34:36.349
4. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 34:46.963
5. Liam Everts (KTM) 35:01.911
6. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 35:07.328
8. Camden McLellan (Triumph) 35:14.371
MX2 Overall
1. Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 50pts
2. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 40pts
3. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 40pts
4. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 37pts
5. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 32pts
6. Liam Everts (KTM) 32pts
7. Camden McLellan (Triumph) 28pts
MX2 World Championship Standings
1. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) 725pts
2. Lucas Coenen (Husqvarna) 676pts
3. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 653pts
4. Liam Everts (KTM) 594pts
5. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 511pts
6. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 498pts
9. Camden McLellan (Triumph) 273pts
Words by Triumph – Images by Ray Archer
