MXGP: Herlings for Coldenhoff in blood-curdling opener
After an animated first MX2 round, the MXGP did not disappoint either. No lack of tension. Despite a strong performance by home rider Glenn Coldenhoff, Jeffrey Herlings still had to acknowledge his superiority in Oss. In addition, Jeffrey had to fight through the pain after he was hit hard on the shoulder in Ivo Monticelli's crash.
Glenn Coldenhoff shot away like a devil out of a box. However, he had to leave the holeshot to Romain Febvre. However, the first important achievement of the race was the spectacular fall of Ivo Monticelli who had to do everything he could not to jump on top of Jeffrey Herlings! However, Monticelli did hit 'the Bullet' on his left shoulder. Despite the hard impact, the latter just kept driving!
At the front, 'The Hoff' immediately took control. After this, an intense duel ensued with Febvre, while World Championship leader Tim Gajser and Herlings followed within a few seconds. Although Febvre often threatened, Coldenhoff did not flinch. To make matters worse, the factory Kawasaki rider made a slide with 12 minutes to go. As a result, Gajser climbed to P2, but a bitten Febvre quickly regained second place!
However, the danger came from behind. After all, Herlings had the best credentials at the end of the heat. After he dealt with Gajser and Febvre, the tough Coldenhoff eventually had to fold! The Bullet pulled off a heroic tour de force and finally won by 2,5 seconds ahead of his compatriot. Gajser followed shortly in third. A regular Jeremy Seewer completed the top 5.
Calvin Vlaanderen became the best private driver in 10th place, while Jasikonis recorded a satisfactory P11. Kevin Strijbos was the highest ranked Belgian, he finished 15th. The key question after this thriller, however, is how much discomfort Herlings experiences once his muscles have cooled down and how serious the injury he sustained to his shoulder is...
MXGP Race 1
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 36:28.182; 2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:02.563; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:05.559; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:11.495; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:22.231; 6. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:38.861; 7. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GROSS), +0:46.584; 8. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:48.838; 9. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:50.585; 10. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:58.409; 11. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +1:03.402; 12. Brian Bogers (NED, GASGAS), +1:06.040; 13. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +1:08.170; 14. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), +1:14.049; 15. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Yamaha), +1:18.200; 16. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +1:34.754; 17. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +1:49.918; 18. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, Kawasaki), +1:53.337; 19. Lorenzo Locurcio (VEN, KTM), +1:55.208; 20. Henry Jacobi (GER, Honda), +1:59.565; 21. Alberto Forato (ITA, GASGAS), +2:03.702; 22. Lars van Berkel (NED, Honda), -1 lap(s); 23. Vsevolod Brylyakov (MFR, Honda), -1 lap(s); 24. Nathan Watson (GBR, Honda), -1 lap(s); 25. Sven Van der Mierden (NED, GASGAS), -1 lap(s); 26. Adam Sterry (GBR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 27. Miro Sihvonen (FIN, Honda), -1 lap(s); 28. Yentel Martens (BEL, Honda), -1 lap(s); 29. Alvin Östlund (SWE, Yamaha), -6 lap(s); 30. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), -7 lap(s); 31. Josh Gilbert (GBR, Husqvarna), -7 lap(s); 32. Anton Gole (SWE, Husqvarna), -7 lap(s); 33. Jimmy Clochet (FRA, Beta), -7 lap(s); 34. Rene De Jong (NED, KTM), -9 lap(s);
Tekst: editors
Photos: MXGP
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