Max Anstie increased his lead in the SX2 championship by winning the Swedish GP – but he will have to wait until the final round to discover if he will be crowned this year’s World Champion.
Anstie, who had taken a clean sweep in the opening three rounds in Buenos Aires, Vancouver, and Australia, did not get it all his own way in Sweden.
The Team GSM by Star Racing Yamaha rider missed out on the Superpole to Enzo Lopes and, despite winning the opening two sprint races, it was Brazil’s Lopes who took the victory in the Main Race
Anstie said: “Well, that was a tough one. Obviously, the first two races went very well. And that last one, man, it was hard with the ruts.
“I had a moment where my feet came off at one point and I twisted my ankle – twisted my legs – and I was like, ‘OK, I’m just bringing it home right now’. That was tricky. The track was tough, so I just focused on bringing it home, and I look forward to Cape Town next week.”
In Race 1, Anstie was forced to fight hard for the victory, as Michael Hicks was the surprise leader for the opening five laps. The Stark rider, who had impressed and narrowly missed out on Superpole, was close to winning the first race for the all-electric manufacturer.
But Anstie mounted a late comeback, passing Shane McElrath and Hicks in what was a thrilling final two laps.
If Anstie struggled for the win in Race 1, Race 2 was another story. He thundered out of the gate and took the leader and never looked back.
He was even able to skim the whoops while others all picked to jump them, such was the confidence of the Team GSM by Star Racing Yamaha rider.
Anstie took the win while Lopes was second and Hicks was an impressive third.
Lopes saved his best for the Main Race, which carries more points than the two sprint races. He made a fantastic start out of the gate and bullied his way to the front where he was able to hang on to take victory.
Lopes said: “I finally got a good start and it was not easy because Max and Shane were on me the whole race, especially the last turn. The win feels amazing and I want to take everyone in Brazil watching.”
McElrath, who pressed Lopes for the win at the death, added: “It’s a little bittersweet. It’s been a tough year so far. We have been working. Last year, I just wanted to win and I feel like I should win, but we are still fighting. It is not super easy but I am learning and getting back.”
