The best motocross talents from 40 countries gathered in the Netherlands over the weekend to crown the 2024 Junior World Champions, and Fantic Factory Racing came out on top with a memorable 1-2 finish in the 125cc class thanks to impressive rides and moto wins by Noel Zanocz and Simone Mancini.
Having won five out of seven EMX125 rounds this season, the Fantic XX 125 riders were among the favorites going into the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship held at the Dutch sand circuit of Heerde. Heavy rainfall added to the challenge, but Noel Zanocz was quick to remind everyone why he has been leading the European Championship since his impressive win at the season opener in the deep sands of Riola Sardo. Flying the flag for Hungary, Zanocz claimed the pole position at the most prestigious race of the year.
Simone Mancini, currently sitting in third in the EMX125 standings and already on the Junior World Championship rostrum last year, was proudly wearing the Italian “Maglia Azzurra” and set the fifth fastest time in his qualifying session. Belgian rider Douwe Van Mechgelen qualified in tenth place in his group and felt confident going into the all-important races on Sunday, on a track he had won at only a week ago at the Dutch Nationals.
In race 1, it was Mancini who had a fast start in second and managed to take over the lead on the opening lap. Zanocz quickly made up ground to put himself into second in the early stages of the race before passing his teammate on lap 5. While the Hungarian didn’t look back and grabbed a dominant win, Mancini had to drop one more position in the final lap but still managed to hold on to a strong third place. Van Mechgelen brought home P13 for Team Belgium despite a tip-over with two laps to go while running ninth.
Mancini was fast out of the gate once again in race 2. The Italian was able to build a comfortable lead in the opening laps and went on to win the moto. Zanocz had some more work to do after a mid-pack start but managed to come back strong and cross the finish line in second, securing a 1-2 score that crowned the Hungarian 125cc World Champion. Unfortunately, Van Mechgelen ran into a small issue and was forced to retire in race 2, but the silver medal for Mancini rounded off a memorable weekend for Fantic.
Noel Zanocz:
“It is very emotional. I was first in time practice, I had a top-10 start in race 1 and I won with a comfortable lead. I have to admit that I felt the pressure going into race 2 and my start was bad. In the third corner, I hit neutral and almost crashed; I lost a lot of positions and found myself outside the top 20. I managed to work my way up really fast into the top 10. When I was second, I tried to catch the leader, but with two laps to go, I said to myself it was better to win the title with a 1-2 rather than taking the risk of losing everything. I am really happy with my riding, especially in the second race when I had to work really hard. What can I say, since I know motocross, I have always dreamt of becoming a World Champion – and today I became a World Champion, writing history for Hungary, and that makes me just really happy.”
Simone Mancini:
“It turned out to be quite a good weekend. On Saturday, I had the fifth fastest time in my group and was ninth overall going into Sunday’s races. I managed a good start in the first moto and led the way for about ten minutes, eventually finishing in P3. In race 2, I started in front and went on to win, which gave me second overall for the day. I am very happy to bring home the silver medal.”
