Axel provides a very promising start to the Dutch Masters of Motocross!
Axel March 13 – The first Dutch Masters of Motocross, formerly ONK-motocross, ended in a resounding victory for Jeffrey Herlings in the MX2 class. Herlings already won the GPs in Qatar and Thailand earlier this year. In Axel there was no limit for him and that also applied to a slightly lesser extent to the Russian Evgeny Bobryshev who won both heats in the MX1 class.
The start of the new motocross season with the Masters in Axel was an unqualified success. A perfectly prepared circuit, finger-licking fields of participants, lovely spring sunshine and a great crowd. RES Axel was delighted with the full embankments. Of course Jeffrey Herlings was the big favorite in Axel and he fulfilled that role of favorite with verve. Two good starts quickly put him in the lead in both heats, after which the Herlings show could begin. From the first to the last lap he squeezed out blisteringly fast lap times. The competition, consisting of many riders whom he also encounters in the GPs, had no chance against the Dutchman in the Zeeland sand. In the second moto, when the track was a bit tougher, Herlings put everyone but three riders one lap behind. Herlings' lead over second man Aleksandr Tonkov was no less than 1 minute and 46 seconds. Jeffrey Herlings, who plans to participate in all Dutch Masters of Motocross competitions this year, has handed in his business card in Axel. Besides Herlings, only one other Dutchman finished in the top ten: Bas Vaessen (5th). Brian Bogers had little luck in the first moto. He had technical problems and finished 8th in the other race. It was a disappointing day for the Belgians in the MX2 class. For example, Brent Van Doninck had a strong first heat, but was unable to finish in the second heat due to technical problems. A thirteenth place in the day's results was his share. Our other Belgian representative, Cyril Genot scored one point in the first heat and, like his compatriot, also dropped out in the second heat. Only 34th place was reserved for him in the day's result.
In the MX1, the Russian Evgeny Bobryshev lived up to his role as favorite, although he had a tough time in the second moto with the fast starter Filip Bengtsson from Sweden. Bobryshev won the first heat by a wide margin, but seemed to have to hand over his win to the Swede after an error in the second heat. In the end it didn't get that far, Bobryshev recovered and also won the second round. Bengtsson finished second overall and Finn Harri Kullas third. The Suzuki factory riders Kevin Strijbos and Ben Townley did not perform well in Axel, although Townley finished second in the first moto. Shortly after the second start he ran into problems and was unable to continue his race. Strijbos also dropped out. Marc de Reuver fell immediately at the first start but seemed to recover in the second moto. Until he made a mistake and disappeared from the front ranks. Only three Dutchmen finished in the top ten: William Saris (7th), Mike Gijsbertsen (9th) and Rick Satink (10th). Due to the mediocre performance of Kevin Strijbos and the strong performance of Jeffrey Dewulf himself, Jeffrey was crowned the best Belgian in the MX1. The KTM pilot achieved a strong 7th place in the day result with a 5th and 5th place in the heats. The other compatriots had a mediocre day with Kevin Wouts (12th), Kevin Strijbos (13th), Robin Bakens (22nd), Mike Vanderstraten (24th) and Eric Willemsen (39th).
In the 125cc youth, the battle was between the Belgian Jago Geerts and the Dane Mikkel Haarup. Jago won the first heat but made a mistake in the other heat and the Dane seized his opportunity. He became the winner of the day with a 2nd and a 1st place. Rick Elzinga, 85cc champion in 2015, made a strong debut in the 125cc with a third place on the podium.
Boyd van de Voorn won the first 85cc round but was unable to join the battle at the front in the second round. Ultimately, three foreigners finished on the podium in this class. The Swede Emil Jonrup won ahead of Maksim Kraev from Russia and the Hungarian Adam Kovacs. The next Dutch Masters of Motocross (from a series of five) is on Sunday April 24 in Mill in Brabant.
RESULTS
MX1: 1. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS) Honda 1+1; 2. Filip Bengtsson (S) Suzuki 3+2; 3. Harri Kullas (SF) KTM 4+3; 4. Christophe Charlier (F) Honda 8+4; 5. Jeffrey Dewulf (B) Honda 7+5
MX2: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NL) KTM 1+1; 2. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS) Yamaha 2+2; 3. Jeremy Seewer (CH) Suzuki 6+3; 4. Benoit Paturel (F) Yamaha 5+6; 5. Bas Vaessen (NL) Suzuki 10+5.
Program other Dutch Masters of Motocross
April 24 Mill – June 12 Markelo – July 3 Emmen – July 10 Halle
Also to read
MXMag went to see the Free Energy Trailer in Olmen
The automotive sector is leading the way in vehicle electrification, and now the motorcycle industry is taking a similar step. However, developing a machine intended for competition use is a completely different matter…Robert Fobbe at the start in the USA!
Robert Fobbe will be in action for the first two (2) races of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship! The 23-year-old rider will…Ian Ampoorter makes his return to Portugal
After a lot of injuries, Ian Ampoorter will appear behind the starting gate next weekend. The GasGas rider travels to Agueda in good spirits for the third race of the European Championship…Australia returns to the MXGP calendar!
From 2025, Australia will be back on the FIM MXGP-MX2 World Championship calendar. After 24 years, another Grand Prix 'down-under' will be held and this will happen...
Your reactions