HIt was Jeffrey Herlings who claimed the first race in the MXGP class. The Dutchman from the HRC Honda Petronas Team led from start to finish. Tim Gajser finished second, ahead of Romain Febvre. Lucas Coenen retired from the race after four laps for an unknown reason.
The holeshot went to Jeffrey Herlings, who took Tim Gajser and Tom Vialle onto his rear wheel. Lucas Coenen, forced to retire yesterday during qualifying after a crash, was spotted in tenth place at the white line after the first corner. Following Vialle were Febvre, Fernandez, Pancar, and the returning Jeremy Seewer (KTM).
Lucas Coenen already gave an unpromising interview to Lisa Leyland prior to the first race and retired after four laps. Could he have injured himself during yesterday's crash after all? His direct rival Jeffrey Herlings was leading by two seconds at that moment. Tim Gajser kept him within striking distance, closely followed by Tom Vialle.
Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) then appeared on the rear wheel of his compatriot Tom Vialle, with third place at stake. Tim Gajser was also able to make up some ground on leader Herlings and seemed to be eyeing a possible race victory. During the final stages of the race, Tom Vialle crashed, handing third place to Febvre.
With two laps to go, Tim Gajser threw in the towel and cut his losses. Jeffrey Herlings took full advantage of Lucas Coenen's retirement and won the race ahead of Gajser and Febvre. Brent Van Doninck and Jago Geerts finished 16th respectively.e in 18eThe points difference between leader Coenen and Herlings has now been reduced to 36 units.
The second series will follow later at 18:10 PM.
MXGP Race 1
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, Honda), 34:43.207; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Yamaha), +0:03.121; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:07.806; 4. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:37.346; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:47.685; 6. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:54.269; 7. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +0:57.973; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KTM), +1:01.452; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Honda), +1:02.822; 10. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), +1:05.452; 11. Taylor Hammal (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:06.535; 12. Ben Watson (GBR, Triumph), +1:08.136; 13. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Ducati), +1:14.594; 14. Tom Vialle (FRA, Honda), +1:16.427; 15. Isak Gifting (SWE, Yamaha), +1:17.874; 16. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Fantic), +1:18.587; 17. Paul Jonas (LAT, Kawasaki), +1:19.247; 18. Jago Geerts (BEL, Beta), +1:21.240; 19. Rick Elzinga (NED, KTM), +1:51.388; 20. Adam Sterry (GBR, KTM), +2:08.476; 21. Tristan Purdon (RSA, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 22. Romain Pape (FRA, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 23. Tom Grimshaw (GBR, Honda), -1 lap(s); 24. Lennox Dickinson (GBR, Honda), -1 lap(s); 25. Ben Edwards (GBR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 26. Glenn McCormick (IRL, KTM), -1 lap(s); 27. Cato Nickel (GER, Honda), -9 lap(s); 28. Kevin Brumann (SUI, Husqvarna), -13 lap(s); 29. Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM), -14 lap(s);
Photos: shotbyBavo
Editorial team: Danny Hermans
