GP Semarang: Smooth qualifying victory for Pauls Jonass
On the beautiful new Semarang circuit, Pauls Jonass took his fourth qualifying victory of the season. The World Cup leader crossed the finish line almost 3,5 seconds ahead of his Red Bull KTM teammate. After a fairly spectacular fall - fortunately without much damage - Jago Geerts finished 12th.
Before this 13th GP of the year, the difference between reigning world champion Pauls Jonass and his younger challenger Jorge Prado is barely seven points. So every detail is important! In Semarang the riders had to work in hot conditions, but the humidity was noticeably less high than last weekend in Pangkal Pinang.
The holeshot went to Ben Watson, but Jorgo Prado and Pauls Jonass whistled the Kemea Yamaha rider right back. Thomas Covington started outside the top-5. For a moment, TC64 seemed to stir things up, but after he passed Calvin Vlaanderen, his advance stopped. At the front, Prado set the pace on the hard and slippery track. During the time training, the Spaniard was 0,010 seconds faster than his Latvian compatriot. However, Jonass systematically reduced his deficit of almost 3 seconds and defeated his teammate on the eighth lap.
Thomas Kjer-Olsen was fourth and tried to attack Watson but was warned when he pushed too hard. Jago Geerts suffered the same fate. The Belgian seasonal revelation was surprised in the eighth round by a fierce highsider. As a result, he lost eighth place and had to settle for P12. After an unremarkable race, Davy Pootjes and Bas Vaessen finished 10th and 11th respectively. Brent Van Doninck qualified ninth.
Qualifying race MX2 Semarang
1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 24:40.845; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:03.494; 3. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:13.480; 4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:19.305; 5. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), +0:29.844; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Honda), +0:32.118; 7. Anthony Rodriguez (VEN, Yamaha), +0:33.955; 8. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Yamaha), +0:39.748; 9. Brent Vandoninck (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:52.387; 10. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +1:02.610; 11. Bas Vaessen (NED, Honda), +1:08.376; 12. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +1:17.585; 13. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:26.408; 14. Jy Roberts (AUS, Husqvarna), +1:56.452; 15. Muhammad Delvintor Alfarizi (INA, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 16. Diva Ismayana (INA, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 17. Yosua Pattipi (INA, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 18. Hilman Maksum (INA, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 19. Morgan Fogarty (AUS, KTM), -3 lap(s);
Photos: Ray Archer
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