2026 MXGP Round 3 Report: Längenfelder Regains Series Lead Amid Thrilling Races
Switzerland — Simon Längenfelder showcased dominance at the third round of the 2026 MXGP World Championships, retaking the red plate with a decisive performance across both races.
In the morning Warm-Up, Längenfelder clocked the second-fastest time, trailing Liam Everts by just three-tenths of a second. Camden McLellan, the previous red plate holder, finished third.
The Qualifying Race opened with Mathis Valin of Kawasaki Racing Team earning the Fox Holeshot Award. Early on, Valin established a significant lead over Karlis Reisulis (Monster Energy Yamaha), with Guillem Farres and Längenfelder close behind. However, Valin’s race took a downturn when his chain derailed, allowing Längenfelder to capitalize on the situation and take the lead after Farres crashed while under pressure.
Längenfelder sealed his race victory, marking his third win of the season. He was followed by Sacha Coenen in second and Everts in third. Notably, McLellan struggled with a mid-pack start, finishing eighth.
In Race Two, Farres secured his first Fox Holeshot Award. Unfortunately, McLellan suffered a severe crash early in the race; he was later cleared of serious injuries. The race unfolded with Everts challenging Farres for the lead, but the latter maintained his position until Längenfelder executed a sweeping pass to secure second. Amid overtaking challenges, Valin and Valerio Lata rounded out the top five.
Ultimately, Farres held off a late charge from Everts, winning by a narrow three-tenths of a second. With mixed results across the day, Längenfelder regained the championship lead, now 22 points ahead of Farres. McLellan and Coenen are close on the leaders’ heels as the series approaches Round Four in the sand of Sardegna.
Key Quotes:
- Simon Längenfelder: “The backmarkers were tricky, but I managed to stay balanced. It feels good to have the red plate again, but it’s early in the season.”
- Guillem Farres: “I’m happy to bounce back after last week. We’ve made significant bike improvements, and I’m looking forward to Sardinia.”
The next round promises to deliver more excitement as the championship continues to heat up.
