Monster Energy Triumph Racing’s Mikkel Haarup has claimed seventh overall in the MX2 class at the MXGP of Galicia despite competing with a flu-like illness. The important points collected at the new circuit of Lugo ensure the Danish star maintains eighth in the MX2 World Championship standings following six rounds.

One week on from arguably the toughest round of MXGP in recent history in Portugal, Mikkel Haarup returned to action in Spain with much more favourable weather and track conditions on offer. Despite feeling less than 100%, the 22-year-old enjoyed the new race track and placed ninth in the opening moto of the day.

A mid-pack start in race two left Haarup with a lot of work to do. After moving into the top 10 on lap four, the Dane’s charge continued until the end of the moto, and was rewarded with a fine fifth place finish. With the points tallied together from his race one result, Mikkel secured seventh overall.

Monster Energy Triumph Racing now heads to France and the iconic venue of St. Jean d’Angely for MXGP round seven next weekend on May 18-19.

Mikkel Haarup: “We’re now wrapped up here in Spain. I really enjoyed this new track and my bike was awesome all weekend. I’ve been dealing with a flu of some sort so with the team we managed that the best we could and we did a good job. I didn’t have the best starts but fought hard and picked up some decent points. I’m now focused on recovering some more and looking forward to France next weekend.”

Vincent Bereni – Monster Energy Triumph Racing Team Manager: “It was going to be a tough weekend because Mikkel was sick this week and wasn’t able to ride before this GP. Unfortunately, his starts weren’t so good so that made things tougher, but he managed to work his way forwards in both races. We did make some small changes to the chassis this weekend that helped, so for next weekend in France I think we’ll be back where we should be.”