Camden McLellan might be in his second season with the Factory Triumph Racing team, but with Mikkel Haarup aging out of MX2 for 2025, the South African knows the pressure is on to deliver. After an average start to the 2025 season, McLellan turned things around in style at Riola Sardo – a track he clearly enjoys.
Last year, Riola marked a career milestone with his first podium, and in 2025, he proved it was no fluke. Despite poor starts in both motos, McLellan charged through the field to take second and third place finishes, securing another overall podium. His ride in the opening moto was particularly impressive, as he closed the gap to Kay de Wolf in the closing stages.
“Obviously I feel good on the track, this weekend was another level,” McLellan said in the press conference. “Last year I was good, but this weekend I was even better. In my opinion, if I could get out the gate, I’m contending for race wins for sure in both motos, so I was a bit bummed on that. Second is great, but there was a lot more potential I feel, so 50% happy, 50% not.”
The 20-year-old admitted the opening rounds of the season haven’t met his expectations, but the result in Sardinia gives him momentum heading into the rest of the season.
“The first three rounds of the season have been a bit below standard, in my opinion, and pretty average. So it’s good to bounce back like this, and then we have a triple header, so it’s good momentum before it. Hopefully, we’ll keep getting on the box.”
McLellan also opened up about his struggles earlier in the season and how frustration has helped fuel his recent form.
“For me, it’s all about the feeling. The first round, let’s say I’ve not been super comfortable on the bike, but Saint-Jean was a big step forward for me. I was super comfortable on the bike, but I just made too many mistakes myself. The last two weeks, going home from Saint-Jean, I was really angry, and the last two weeks I’ve just been sitting at home really angry. I think this weekend it came out of me. I wanted to do well.”
Determined to prove he belongs at the front, McLellan came into the weekend with a clear goal – and a bit of fire.
“I know I belong at the front and that was the bottom line for me. I got on the gate and I said to myself, if I go home without a podium, it’s not a successful weekend. So a little bit of anger, a little bit of motivation, I think is what came out this weekend, and hopefully I stay angry the whole year if it works like this.”
