TWith 3 laps to go Jeffrey Herlings had his third pole of the season in sight, but home driver Roczen eventually came out on top. Gautier Paulin finished third ahead of Tommy Searle and Arnaud Tonus.
Gautier Paulin surprised the traditional MX2 starters with a beautiful holeshot. Jeffrey Herlings, Alessandro Lupino and Jeremy Van Horebeek also had an excellent start in his wheel. Max Anstie had a bad opening lap with two crashes. After one lap Herlings took over command and a lap later Gautier also lost second place to Roczen, who had climbed from 6th place. Despite the hard, slippery track, Herlings once again proved his versatility. Although he came under heavy pressure after a few laps, a hesitation behind one of the doubled riders in particular cost him dearly. This way, Roczen was able to pass his teammate after a short and spectacular duel. CLS-Kawasaki's Tommy Searle recovered well after a slip early in the race. Searle managed to take 4th place from British MX2 champion Tonus.
Against all expectations, Van Horebeek still started with a painful shoulder. The Jerre could not make optimal use of his good start. Yet he still finished 7th, Joël Roelants qualified 11th. Julien Lieber had his best qualifying of the season with 13th place.
GP of Europe MX2 Qualifying Race
- Ken Roczen (GER, KTM), 24:36.067; ; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:03.114; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:12.890; 4. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:16.571; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:17.161; 6. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:37.705; 7. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:46.952; 8. Nicolas Aubin (FRA, KTM), +0:53.561; 9. Michael Leib (USA, Husqvarna), +1:02.534; 10. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:07.164; 11. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +1:12.783; 12. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:28.481; 13. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), +1:32.658; 14. Antonio Jose Butron Oliva (ESP, KTM), +1:33.544; 15. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:33.848; 16. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +1:35.721; 17. Pascal Rauchenecker (AUT, KTM), +1:38.715; 18. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, Honda), +1:40.699; 19. Mike Kras (NED, Suzuki), +1:41.113; 20. Petar Petrov (BUL, Yamaha), +1:57.139; 21. Even Heibye (NOR, KTM), +2:02.483; 22. Nikolaj Larsen (DEN, KTM), +2:14.672; 23. Roberts Justs (LAT, Honda), -1 lap(s); 24. Giacomo Del Segato (ITA, KTM), -1 lap(s); 25. Dennis Baudrexl (GER, KTM), -1 lap(s); 26. Jordan Booker (GBR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 27. Ludvig Söderberg (FIN, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 28. Mihail Cociu (MDA, Honda), -1 lap(s); 29. Sean Mitchell (ZIM, KTM), -1 lap(s); 30. Penjan Thanarat (THA, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 31. Viacheslav Golovkin (RUS, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 32. Nick Triest (BEL, KTM), -2 lap(s); 33. David Adam (FRA, Yamaha), -4 lap(s); 34. Jernej Irt (SLO, Suzuki), -12 lap(s)
Photo credit: Ray Archer
