Kawasaki factory rider, Romain Febvre has put on a sensational performance to win the opening MXGP moto and send the huge Lommel crowd into silence. After a fierce battle with local man, Lucas Coenen, the Frenchman cruised in the final laps to win the race and really push his claim for that second MXGP World championship and extend his series points lead.

Coenen didn’t let anyone down though, as he fought with his heart, taking the lead at one points, before Febvre made a final push, to take the win. Third was Calvin Vlaanderen, who had battled privateer rider, Isak Gifting for most of the race.

Romain Febvre: I knew he was going to try everything, that is what I was waiting for. He passed me and I was really attacking to pass him back. He came back at the end, but then made a mistake. He is very good riding his pace at the front and that is why I wanted to pass him back quickly.

Lucas Coenen: I came from the back and then I watched some lines and made some good lines. I passed him, but then he went for me, and I had to jump off the track. I was trying to find lines afterwards, but then I said he can have it. I will try and get the holeshot in the second one. I just tried to rest between motos and sit with my brother to see what we can improve.

Championship points are now Romain Febvre 712 points, Lucas Coenen 700pts, Glenn Coldenhoff 516pts, Ruben Fernandez 458pts,

MXGP Moto One

Febvre led the MXGP opening moto, then Gifting, Herlings, Van Doninck, Geerts, Vlaanderen, Renaux, Coenen, Van Berkel, Watson, and Coldenhoff. Herlings into second and Coenen third as these two charge to the front. Gifting cn be a bit of a roadblock, so can Coenen get into third quickly?

Coenen into third and looking desperate to get to Febvre and Herlings. Coenen all over Herlings back wheel as the Benelux riders fight for second. Watson dropped to 10th as Coldenhoff moved into ninth place. Febvre with a 2.7 second lead over Herlings, with Coenen four seconds back.

Brilliant battle for second as Coenen chases the fastest man in the sand, and the huge crowd in attendance going nuts. Coenen a nice pass on Herlings and going after Febvre. Coenen very quickly gaining on the Frenchman.

Febvre seemed to respond, and the gap went back to 3.3 seconds, with Herlings 5.2 back in third. Then came Gifting, Vlaanderen, Van Doninck, Renaux, Geerts, Coldenhoff and Watson still in 10th.

Coenen right up on Febvre, with Herlings dropping further back as Gifting and Vlaanderen close up on the five-time World motocross champion. The lead by Febvre on lap four was just 1.5 seconds. Fredriksen moved into 10th with Watson now 11th. Coenen closed the gap to less than a second on lap five.

Coenen all over Febvre, but the Frenchman blocking all ways to pass, as hard as Coenen was trying. Sensational fight between the two points leaders. Febvre got slightly away from the Belgian teenager, and Herlings five seconds back in third, as he made a break from Gifting and Vlaanderen. The top five riders getting well away from Van Donick, who was sixth.

Febvre opened up a 3.2 second lead over Coenen and really showing his metal and desire to remain the red plate man. Coenen coming back a little as its his turn the take the momentum. Herlings now 7.3 off the leader’s pace.

Herlings an ugly crash and dropped behind both Gifting and Vlaanderen. Coldenhoff also passed his countryman, and there will be no surprise return performance for the KTM man. Geerts also moved past Herlings.

On lap eight, the lead by Febvre was 2.3 seconds, with Gifting in third some 13 seconds back, then came Vlaanderen, Van Donick, Geerts, Coldenhoff, Herlings, Fredriksen and Renaux now in 10th.

Coenen coming back on lap nine as the lead was 1.7 seconds by Febvre. Coenen again on the back wheel of Febvre as the crowd again screaming for their countryman. Bonacorsi moved to 10th and Herlings now ninth and maybe struggling a little with his condition.

Coenen playing the game well as the lead was just a second and he started putting pressure on Febvre again. The teenager seems to have such a great race craft and seems to know when the push and when to wait. The lead was half a second on lap 10. Febvre again responds and gaps Coenen by 1.7 seconds. Geerts a huge crash and seemingly out of the race.

Top ten on lap 11 was Febvre, Coenen, Gifting, Vlaanderen, Van Doninck, Coldenhoff, Bonacorsi, Herlings, Renaux. The gap was again less than a second as the two leaders swap better lap times.

Coenen into the lead with a beautiful pass, then a mistake and Febvre tried to repass, but couldn’t do it. This Coenen kid is sensational, really something special, but Febvre nearly wipes him out with his own magnificent a pass to regain the lead. This is Grand Prix motocross at its best.

Febvre makes a break from Coenen with time and laps running out. The Frenchman takes the lead to two seconds, but Coenen then drops the hammer and pulls a little closer to the Kawasaki rider. Four laps remaining and the lead was 2.1 seconds. Rounding out the top ten was Gifting, Vlaanderen, Van Doninck, Coldenhoff, Fredriksen, Bonacorsi, Herlings and Renaux.

Seems like Coenen has given up the chase as the lead grows to 3.3 seconds. What a ride by Febvre, who has surprised everyone more than once at Lommel. Amazingly, Coenen fought back again to get the gap down to less than two seconds, but then nearly crashed and handed Febvre a brilliant win.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 - Classification

1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), 36:05.332; 2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:17.718; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:44.854; 4. Isak Gifting (SWE, Yamaha), +0:47.004; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), +0:51.803; 6. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, Yamaha), +0:53.946; 7. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Honda), +1:14.724; 8. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +1:19.310; 9. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Fantic), +1:19.358; 10. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +1:25.935; 11. Ben Watson (GBR, Beta), +1:26.851; 12. Brian Bogers (NED, Fantic), +1:36.750; 13. Kevin Brumann (SUI, Husqvarna), +1:44.038; 14. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +1:47.863; 15. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KTM), +1:50.637; 16. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +1:57.188; 17. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, Yamaha), +1:57.847; 18. Maximilian Spies (GER, KTM), +2:10.777; 19. Tom Koch (GER, Beta), -1 lap(s); 20. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Ducati), -1 lap(s); 21. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Ducati), -1 lap(s); 22. Boris Blanken (NED, KTM), -1 lap(s); 23. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, Honda), -1 lap(s); 24. Lars van Berkel (NED, Honda), -1 lap(s); 25. Adam Sterry (GBR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 26. Nick Leerkes (NED, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 27. Michel Hoenson (NED, KTM), -2 lap(s); 28. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), -7 lap(s);

MXGP - World Championship Classification

1. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 712 points; 2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM), 700 p.; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 516 p.; 4. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 458 p.; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 420 p.; 6. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, FAN), 385 p.; 7. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 379 p.; 8. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 340 p.; 9. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, DUC), 327 p.; 10. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 305 p.; 11. Ben Watson (GBR, BET), 246 p.; 12. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 243 p.; 13. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 242 p.; 14. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), 231 p.; 15. Brian Bogers (NED, FAN), 229 p.; 16. Isak Gifting (SWE, YAM), 208 p.; 17. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, DUC), 174 p.; 18. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KAW), 162 p.; 19. Brent Van doninck (BEL, HON), 137 p.; 20. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KTM), 129 p.; 21. Adam Sterry (GBR, KTM), 98 p.; 22. Tom Koch (GER, BET), 81 p.; 23. Valentin Guillod (SUI, YAM), 72 p.; 24. Alberto Forato (ITA, HON), 72 p.; 25. Kevin Brumann (SUI, HUS), 61 p.;

Pascal Haudiquert/Kawasaki image