Simon Längenfelder put on a masterclass at the latest round of the MX2 World Championship, dominating across the weekend with impressive speed and composure. Whether it was rutty or hard-pack, the young German looked completely at home — reaffirming his love for Matterley Basin where he took his first ever GP win. We caught up with Längenfelder to discuss his weekend performance, his move back to Germany, the mental side of racing, and how he’s handling the pressure of running the red plate once again.
GateDrop: What a weekend for you, you made it look easy. Ruts, no ruts, it doesn’t seem to matter. Can you just talk me through the races? You made it look so easy out there…
Längenfelder: Yeah, let’s say from three races I had two holeshots – in the qualifying race and the second race. I could go from start to finish leading, but the first race was a bit more difficult. I didn’t have the best start, I went from like sixth to first. I took my time, but yeah, it went really good, so I can’t complain.
GateDrop: What is it about this track you like so much? I think you won your first ever GP here and every year here you’re so, so fast. What is it about the track? The conditions don’t seem to matter because yesterday was completely different and you still smoked them (laughs)…
Längenfelder: Yeah, I think it’s just like those long uphill corners, big jumps. I think you need to carry a lot of speed and it’s really technical out here. No matter how it’s prepped, so I think this is really good.
GateDrop: You mentioned you’re in Germany more now as opposed to Italy. Was that your decision, a decision from the team and why was that?
Längenfelder: No, that was my decision. I’m paying for everything.
GateDrop: Is it better for you to be in Germany, do you think, closer to your family and things like that?
Längenfelder: I would say it’s just different, so sometimes something different just does something good for me.
GateDrop: Mentally, you seem to be in a better place this year. Is that something you thought about over the winter to try and improve at, to try and go for these race wins? Or do you just think it’s another year experience in this position helps?
Längenfelder: Yeah, for sure you always try to win. Also the last few years I tried to win, but it’s just not that easy. Sometimes it just clicks and sometimes it doesn’t, so I’m just trying to keep the momentum up.
GateDrop: You’ve got the red plate again. What does it feel like to ride with the red plate? Do you even think about it that much?
Längenfelder: No, actually not too much. Yeah, for sure the first time when I was in Germany it was so much to be home and have the red plate, everybody was so hyped. But then I directly lost it… but I’m for sure happy to have it, but it doesn’t change.
GateDrop: The level of MX2 this year, I mean it seems very high. We’ve seen a lot of race winners, a lot of different guys on the podium. What’s the level like from your side? And starts are always pretty important, eh?
Längenfelder: Yeah, for sure the starts are important. Sometimes you actually can pass, I think easier than in the MXGP class, but yeah, for sure starts are important. There are so many fast guys, I think you saw with Liam (Everts) and (Thibault) Benistant. There are like 10 guys who can possibly win, or even more.
GateDrop: I think it’s contract year for you. Are you happy with KTM? Probably you’ll be staying there for the future, or just wait and see?
Längenfelder: Yeah, we still we have to figure everything out, but yeah, I’d say yeah.
