Simon Längenfelder was on fire in the second moto as he totally dominated. Coming from way back he was able to catch the impressive Reisulis and pull away from de Wolf in the process. The German has been consistent this year despite a collarbone injury but is still chasing a GP overall win.
We caught up with Längenfelder to discuss a range of topics after his impressive second moto.
GateDrop: Simon, I mean, that second moto, is that up there with maybe the best moto of your career? It has to be up there, surely… it was total domination…
Längenfelder: Yeah, I was feeling good in that second moto. Also in Lommel, I would say I did more or less the same thing, but even from more far back but yeah, this time on hard pick. So, I was feeling good this moto and the bike was feeling good. I enjoyed the track. It was quite technical, but that’s exactly what I like.
GateDrop: It must have felt amazing to come so far back to then catch and pass the leader. I mean, you were by far the quickest. It’s just a shame in the first moto. I think you and Liam were probably a similar pace, but he was a little bit more decisive with the passing. Do you think that maybe let you down to win the overall?
Längenfelder: Yeah. In the first race, almost in the end, I could pass Benistant but I got held up by a few lappers. So, it was pretty good. But yeah, I was happy with the weekend. It is still not the overall win, but we keep going.
GateDrop: You are certainly getting closer to winning. It’s actually quite hard to believe. I don’t think you’ve won a GP this year. It’s hard to believe because coming into the season, you were a lot of people’s favorites. But how do you assess this season? Obviously, you started okay, then got the injury, and now you’re sort of getting back in the right direction.
Längenfelder: Yeah, we got some problems with the injury with this and that, so it was difficult. But yeah, we came back fast, we came back good. I think it’s still a good season for me.
GateDrop: Just on the collarbone injury, how tough was that? I think you were racing six days after you broke it. How did that affect things? It’s obviously not easy to do that, but it shows how determined you are…
Längenfelder: Yeah, the doctor said I could go, so I went. I was feeling ready for it, otherwise we wouldn’t do it. So I was happy to ride there with the collarbone.
GateDrop: Like we touched on, you’ve won some GP’s in your career, but you haven’t won a GP yet this season. Do you miss that winning feeling?
Längenfelder: Yeah, for sure. It’s always nice to be on the first step of the podium. But yeah, you need to believe in the progress, step by step.
GateDrop: Just on the level, especially of the Husky guys this year, Lucas and Kay, they’ve been very, very fast. What do you think you need to do to close the gap? Obviously, this weekend was a step in the right direction…
Längenfelder: For sure, yeah, they’re really aggressive and they move a lot on the bike. So I think it just needs to get better. Just continue doing my thing, continue to go big step by step, and I think then I will get there.
GateDrop: Coming into this season, what were your expectations? Was it to win the title? Did you feel there was maybe a little bit of pressure, or did you not come into the season thinking like that?
Längenfelder: No, I was coming into the season just trying to do my best, like always. I think if you think about the title too much, it’s not really helping you. It’s a disadvantage. I was just coming in trying my best at every race. I didn’t have all the races good, but I think I had many podiums, and I would still say it’s a good season.
GateDrop: What’s the plan now between now and the next GP? I think you have a weekend off, so you’re probably looking forward to a weekend off because it’s been three in a row, it’s quite tough I’m sure…
Längenfelder: Yeah, now we go back to Rome. We enjoy a little bit of the summer, the sea. So yeah, happy to go back to Italy now and enjoy a bit of nice weather.
GateDrop: How do you find being in Italy? Obviously, you’re German, but you’re living in Italy with the team. How is all that? Do you enjoy being in Italy? Maybe you miss Germany a little bit?
Längenfelder: Yeah, it’s for sure different when you live in another country, but I would think it’s nice to be in Italy. It’s a bit of a family. I have also my girlfriend there, so yeah, I’m not alone.
GateDrop: Obviously, next year, de Carli are going to be on KTMs. Can you just confirm you’re going to be one of those riders, or is it still up in the air?
Längenfelder: Yeah, I have my contract.
GateDrop: So you’re going to be with De Carli KTM? Are you looking forward to going back to KTM?
Längenfelder: For me, I was last on the KTM in 2019 and on the 125cc. I think it’s not too big of a difference between GasGas and KTM, but for sure there is a difference. Another colour so yeah, also it will be exciting to have a change.
GateDrop: The German Motocross des Nations team, What a team. Yourself, Kenny and Max Nagl, What a guy he is. You must be really looking forward to lining up at Matterley Basin, one of your favourite tracks, you’ve won there in the past. What are the expectations for Team Germany?
Längenfelder: I think… We didn’t really speak all together yet, but I think we’re a good team. At the Nations, it’s such a tough race, because so much can happen here. Six results, three riders, so much can happen. You never know. You always have a few expectations, and many people expect you to do something good, but it’s always difficult to ride a level against a 450cc’s, but I think it will for sure it will be a nice challenge.
