Romain Febvre wins first series, drama for Tim Gajser!

Jorge Prado had won the Time Practice earlier today ahead of Tim Gajser, Romain Febvre and Jan Pancar. It was also Romain Febvre who won the first MXGP race ahead of Jorge Prado. Slovenian Tim Gajser had to endure a dramatic race when he crashed twice and lost his lead in the World Championship standings to Jorge Prado. 

The holeshot went to Jeremy Seewer who will move to Ducati next year. In turn two, World Championship leader Tim Gajser teased the rear wheel of Coldenhoff and went to the Chinese plain. After Seewer followed Ruben Fernandez and Jorge Prado. Jeffrey Herlings started in P6.

Fernandez quickly took the lead while Prado also got alongside the Swiss. In his rush for the top ten, Gajser went down again when he passed Bonacorsi. On lap four, Herlings got past Glenn Coldenhoff to take fifth place from his compatriot.

Febvre then took over P3 from Jeremy Seewer and then rode to the rear wheel of Jorge Prado in no time. On lap eight the Frenchman was able to pass Prado and took over second place from the Spaniard. Tim Gajser rode halfway in twelfth place and still had a lot of work to do to make up places.

With ten minutes left on the clock, a strong Romain Febvre passed leader Fernandez. Jorge Prado also succeeded. At the back, a small drama unfolded because Tim Gajser, while driving in P12, lost three places and dived into the pits shortly afterwards with a technical problem. His left footrest was bent by the early crash. He was able to resume the race but had to watch as Jorge Prado took over the lead in the World Championship standings.

Romain Febvre wins the series ahead of Jorge Prado and Jeffrey Herlings. Tim Gajser was able to finish the race at a very slow pace and still took 17th place. Jorge Prado thus takes over the lead from Gajser and now has a lead of four points.

MXGP Race 1

1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), 34:32.847; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:05.726; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:08.376; 4. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:10.859; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), +0:14.259; 6. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:16.664; 7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Honda), +0:19.004; 8. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +0:21.709; 9. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:23.781; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:28.471; 11. Alberto Forato (ITA, Honda), +0:51.056; 12. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:56.853; 13. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +1:01.226; 14. Brian Bogers (NED, Fantic), +1:05.051; 15. Kevin Brumann (SUI, Husqvarna), +1:26.305; 16. Kirk Gibbs (AUS, GASGAS), +1:32.239; 17. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), -2 lap(s); 18. Yang Pu (CHN, Yamaha), -4 lap(s); 19. Jun Kai Wang (CHN, Honda), -6 lap(s); 20. Todd Waters (AUS, Husqvarna), -12 lap(s); 21. He Rong Zhe (CHN, Yamaha), -12 lap(s);