Camden McLellan: “I think if I could get out the gate, I could run with Sacha”

Camden McLellan celebrated his 22nd birthday with a strong performance at the Latvian Grand Prix, securing his third consecutive podium in the MX2 World Championship by finishing second overall at Kegums. The South African rider demonstrated impressive race pace throughout the weekend, despite struggling with his starts, which often left him having to fight through the pack. His consistent 3-2 moto results underscored his growing momentum in the 2026 season and highlighted his potential to challenge race winner Sacha Coenen. McLellan was candid about the challenges he faces at the start of races, identifying this as a key area for improvement if he is to convert his speed into more frequent victories. Although he does not necessarily need to claim holeshots, he emphasised the importance of breaking into the top five early on to avoid losing ground to rivals like Coenen, who excels in the initial laps. The Factory Triumph rider is focused on refining his starts and first-lap performance, recognising that this will make his race strategy more effective and reduce the need to rely on late-race charge through the field. The rider also reflected on the mental side of his difficulties, explaining that his cautious approach during qualifying and early race stages stems from a calculated risk assessment. McLellan is wary of overcommitting too soon and potentially crashing, which would be detrimental to his overall race result. He aims to strike a balance between aggression and prudence, gradually building confidence to improve his starts without compromising safety or consistency. With three podiums in a row, McLellan’s confidence and status as a top contender in the MX2 class are clearly on the rise. His raw speed and racecraft have become evident, but unlocking stronger starts remains the final piece of the puzzle. If he can master this aspect, it seems likely that the South African rider will soon add race wins to his growing list of achievements in the 2026 MX2 World Championship.