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MX2, MXGP OF PATAGONIA - VILLA LA ANGOSTURA, ARGENTINA, 12 Marec 2023

A second for Kevin Horgmo in Argentina

F&H Kawasaki Racing Team's Kevin Horgmo stormed to a second-moto runner-up placing in the opening round of the FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship at Villa La Angostura in Argentina.

The first moto started in most unfortunate fashion for F&H teammates Horgmo and David Braceras as, after excellent starts, they each found themselves delayed by a crash immediately ahead of them entering turn two. Within a lap they had each burst back into the top-twenty and continued to push their way up the standings. By half-distance the Norwegian had broken into the top-ten but the gaps between the leaderboard riders had already been established and he had to be satisfied with ninth at the chequered flag while his Spanish teammate finished twelfth. A superb start in race two saw Horgmo nail the holeshot award and, although he had to surrender the lead at turn two, he established himself immediately in the front-three breakaway and made second his own on lap four to claim a clear runner-up finish in the moto, missing the overall GP podium by just a single point despite the misfortune he suffered in race one. The new ruling which also awards points in Qualifying sees the Norwegian head to round two fifth in the series standings. Teammate Braceras also started top-ten but two slips pushed the Spaniard out of the points; his first-moto scoreline sees him seventeenth in the points after the first round of his GP rookie season.
 
Kevin Horgmo: "I had a great start, third into the first corner, in race one. I was right behind Coenen and Längenfelder when they collided and I had nowhere to go. I was stuck behind them and got hit from behind; my entire rear brake system was ripped off but I set off after a long delay to score as many points as possible.  Making passes was OK and by the time I made it to the top-ten the gaps were hard to make up but I had a good feeling with my riding and that gave me confidence for race two. I took the holeshot and crossed the line second after a consistent moto; overall it was a positive day."
 
Circumstances beyond his control restricted Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Mikkel Haarup to the role of spectator in race one but the Dane bounced back in race two as he charged from outside the top-ten to claim sixth place at the finish with a series of strong moves as he became more-and-more acquainted with the track. He heads to round two on Sardinia in two weeks' time determined to advance from his current thirteenth place in the series points.
 
Mikkel Haarup: "It was a tough weekend, but we got the bike ready just in time for the second moto and I had to start from the outside. I think I handled the situation professionally and took home some points, but it was tough after not being able to ride the track since yesterday morning. It wasn't what we wanted, but I think my speed in the circumstances show that we are ready to fight for the title."
 
Confirmation of the outstanding performance of the KX250 came as Tomas Moyano took his Green machine to fifteenth in race one and seventeenth in moto two for the best performance in each moto by a South American wild card entry.