Sacha Coenen (Red Bull KTM) won the MX2 qualifying race in Bariloche, taking ten points. Coenen was outstanding but also benefited from early bad luck for title rival Simon Längenfelder.
DThe race had barely begun when Kay Karssemakers crashed, hitting Simon Längenfelder's KTM. The damage was immediately visible: a footpeg had been punched through the front wheel, forcing the German to pit for a wheel change with a spinning front wheel. Längenfelder rejoined, but ultimately finished only 22nd, a lap down.
Reisulis surprises
In the chaos at the front, Janis Reisulis (Monster Energy Yamaha) surprisingly took the lead. But his advantage was short-lived: on the second lap, Sacha Coenen dove past him on the inside and took the lead, which he would not relinquish.
Farres en Valin in top-3
Behind Coenen, a fierce battle for the podium spots broke out. Guillem Farres (Triumph Racing) steadily worked his way up and passed Reisulis for second place on lap five. A lap later, Mathis Valin (Kawasaki Racing Team) did the same, moving up to P3. Liam Everts (Nestaan Husqvarna) and Camden McLellan (Triumph Racing) followed in fourth and fifth, with McLellan ousting Reisulis from fifth place in the closing stages.
Coenen solos to victory
At the front, Coenen rode unchallenged to his first qualifying victory of the season. The Belgian had a nearly five-second lead over Farres at the finish. With the fastest lap of the race, the Red Bull KTM rider proved himself the strongest in every respect, though he wasn't entirely satisfied himself!
Cas Valk was the best Dutchman in P9 ahead of Jens Walvoort (P11) and Kay Karssemakers. (P12).
MX2 Qualifying Race
1. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 26:04.512; 2. Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +4.896; 3. Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), +5.851; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), +7.208; 5. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +10.031; 6. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +24.719; 7. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +36.563; 8. Julius Mikula (CZE, KTM), +40.002; 9. Cas Valk (NED, TM), +41.708; 10. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +46.935; 11. Jens Walvoort (NED, KTM), +55.712; 12. Kay Karssemakers (NED, Kawasaki), +58.906; 13. Benjamin Garib (CHI, Honda), +1:02.381; 14. Noel Zanocz (HUN, KTM), +1:05.274; 15. David Braceras (ESP, Triumph), +1:06.729; 16. Maxime Grau (FRA, Honda), +1:13.329; 17. Scott Smulders (NED, Husqvarna), +1:15.806; 18. Simone Mancini (ITA, Ducati), +1:31.526; 19. Jose Morera (VEN, Kawasaki), +2:01.597; 20. Carlos Andres Padilla Duran (BOL, GASGAS), +2:09.075; 21. Juan Felipe Garcia (ARG, Fantic), +2:26.329; 22. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), -1 lap; 23. Juan Ignacio Piermarini (ARG, Honda), -1 lap; 24. Rodrigo Stuardo (CHI, Fantic), -1 lap; 25. Felipe Quirno Costa (ARG, Honda), -1 lap; 26. Miguel Rojas (COL, KTM), -1 lap; 27. Manuel Torrado (ARG, GASGAS), -1 lap; 28. Dante Paolo Poggio (MEX, GASGAS), -2 laps; 29. Alfonso Bratschi (URU, KTM), -3 laps.
Photos: JP acevedo
