Eand an inspired Glenn Coldenhoff gave Fantic a first MXGP series win in a thrilling opener, with Lucas Coenen finishing second on the wheel of 'the Hoff'.
In the first MXGP race of the weekend Jeffrey herlings started well, but eventually took over Lucas Coenen his 10th head start of the season. However, the Belgian top talent slid down in the second lap and Coldenhoff, who had started 2nd, was able to take over the lead.
Fernandez, Herlings and Cairoli also had a good start. Herlings was able to climb to P6 in the 3th lap at the expense of Fernandez. The Bullit seemed to be the fastest man in the race at that moment. Because first Coenen was dropped and then Herlings closed in on Coldenhoff to less than a second. With two laps to go, Jeffrey slipped away from the front!
Febre was able to move up to P3 and Coenen did everything he could to snatch the series victory from veteran Coldenhoff. The Fantic Factory Racing MXGP rider scored his first series victory since Riola Sardo in 2023. Herlings had to settle for 4th place while Vlaanderen and Bogers finished 6th and 8th respectively. Brent Van Doninck finished a neat 10th.
Unfortunately, Sunday brought no relief to Jago Geerts after a disastrous first day of competition yesterday. The former youth world champion went down hard in the 5th round and gave up.
MXGP Race 1
1. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), 34:21.230; 2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:01.128; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:12.392; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:15.484; 5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:17.105; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:48.579; 7. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Ducati), +0:53.691; 8. Brian Bogers (NED, Fantic), +0:56.396; 9. Alberto Forato (ITA, Honda), +0:58.123; 10. Brent Vandoninck (BEL, Honda), +0:59.080; 11. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +1:00.763; 12. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Fantic), +1:06.124; 13. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Ducati), +1:07.223; 14. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Honda), +1:08.286; 15. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KTM), +1:15.016; 16. Tom Koch (GER, Beta), +1:31.378; 17. Adam Sterry (GBR, KTM), +1:49.678; 18. Ben Watson (GBR, Beta), -1 lap(s); 19. Cato Nickel (GER, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 20. James Carpenter (GBR, Honda), -1 lap(s); 21. Matthew Miot (FRA, KTM), -1 lap(s); 22. Isaac Gifting (SWE, Yamaha), -3 lap(s); 23. John Adamson (GBR, Honda), -8 lap(s); 24. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), -11 lap(s); 25. Tristan Purdon (RSA, Husqvarna), -13 lap(s);
Photos: Fantic Racing, JP Acevedo
