World MX2 champion, Simon Langenfelder has won the opening MX2 moto in Mantova this afternoon. The German rider started slow but came through the pack to pass for the lead mid-race and then pull well away from his rivals.

Under overcast skies and around a somewhat wet and heavy Mantova circuit, the opening MX2 moto saw surprise leader in Latvian, Jekabs Kubulins on the 250 2-stroke Yamaha, with two favourites, Lata and Langenfelder out of the top three, Langenfelder in sixth and Lata in big trouble in the start. Zanozc was second and third Smulders.

Kubulins was blowing the rest of the MX2 riders away as he led and his job was made easier as Zanozc crashed in second place. Suddenly all over the leader was Smulders, with Langenfelder up to fourth place and also catching the leader.

Langenfelder into third place and then a pass on Smulder and he was all over the back wheel of the leader. With 11 minutes remaining, Langenfelder took the lead, where a world champion belongs. Lata trying to recover from his start was 19th but then crashed again.

Kubulins and Smulders were in a great battle for second place and Smulders moved into second place, but what a great race so far for the Latvian in third place. Langenfelder wins it from Smulders and Kubulins.