85cc FIM Junior World Championship Race Report
Event Summary:
The 85cc FIM Junior World Championship unfolded with intense battles and challenging conditions that tested the skill of young riders. The first race culminated with Enzo Herzogenrath (FRA) securing victory, while Rafael Mennillo (FRA) clinched the championship title after finishing second overall.
Race One Insights:
Heavily contested, Race One saw Herzogenrath dominate with a time of 26:58.254, leading for much of the race. Mennillo, just 1.733 seconds behind, displayed impressive resilience, battling to maintain his position against multiple contenders. Australian Seth Thomas made a remarkable recovery from ninth place to secure third, despite a minor crash. Gauge Brown (USA) and Pau Caudet (ESP) rounded out the top five.
Top 10 Race One Classification:
- Enzo Herzogenrath (FRA, KTM) – 26:58.254
- Rafael Mennillo (FRA, KTM) – +0:01.733
- Seth Thomas (AUS, KTM) – +1:21.280
- Gauge Brown (USA, KTM) – +1:32.009
- Pau Caudet (ESP, GASGAS) – +1:49.498
- Louis Morette (FRA, Husqvarna) – +2:45.470
- Maxim Zimmerman (SVK, Husqvarna) – +2:53.787
- Lucas Leok (EST, KTM) – -1 lap
- Max Lindström (SWE, Husqvarna) – -1 lap
- Tim Lopes (FRA, GASGAS) – -1 lap
Race Two Breakdown:
Lucas Leok (EST) emerged as the standout rider in Race Two, claiming the Fox Holeshot Award. He maintained control throughout the race, setting an early pace 12 seconds faster than his nearest competitor. While Herzogenrath faced challenges, dropping outside the top 30 due to a misjudged jump, he rebounded to finish 13th overall, securing fifth for the day. A fierce battle ensued for second place between Mennillo and Gauge Brown, with Italy’s Francesco Assini taking the last podium spot.
Top 10 Race Two Classification:
- Lucas Leok (EST, KTM) – 26:42.464
- Rafael Mennillo (FRA, KTM) – +0:59.606
- Francesco Assini (ITA, GASGAS) – +1:11.499
- Pau Caudet (ESP, GASGAS) – +1:25.743
- Harley Marczak (GBR, KTM) – +1:39.336
- Seth Thomas (AUS, KTM) – +2:03.062
- Tim Lopes (FRA, GASGAS) – +2:22.863
- Maxim Zimmerman (SVK, Husqvarna) – +2:48.129
- Gauge Brown (USA, KTM) – -1 lap
- Blake Bohannon (AUS, Yamaha) – -1 lap
Overall Standings:
Rafael Mennillo clinched the championship with 44 points, followed by Lucas Leok with 38 points. Seth Thomas’s consistent performance secured him third overall, with a total of 35 points.
Future Events:
With the EMX85 Finale at Loket approaching in three weeks, top European talents are expected to transition to 125cc machines next season, adding further anticipation to the championship landscape.
Conclusion:
The 85cc FIM Junior World Championship showcased young talent amid challenging conditions, highlighting the skills and determination of the competitors. As the series progresses, expectations rise for the climactic finale and the next season’s developments.
