Monster Energy Yamaha factory rider Tim Gajser has cruised to an easy victory in the opening 450 moto in Mantova, Italy this afternoon. The Slovenian took a brilliant start, shoulder to shoulder with Jeffrey Herlings into the first corner, but the Yamaha man controlled the lead and won with ease.

Second was HRC factory rider Tom Vialle, who just kept out of trouble and got his bike to the end. Andrea Adamo had a DNF due to mechanical issues and Herlings struggled mid-race with a bike that had a problem. The Dutchman was top give at the top after a mistake in the start and came back from last to 11th spot. Mattio Guadganini was third, just ahead of Jago Geerts.

With a packed spectator area and under a cloudy sky, the REAL start of the pre-season started with the big two, Jeffrey Herlings and Tim Gajser going head-to-head in the opening MX1 race at the Mantova round of the Italian international race.

The two five-time world champions, both on new machines started and the two top men didn’t let down pushing each other into the first corner, with Herlings entering early, but then running off the track and Gajser held the lead. Herlings was back around fifth place. It was Gajser, Adamo, Fernandez, Vaille and Herlings the top five.

Gajser a nice little lead over Adamo, with Herlings doing his best to pass his two HRC team-mate, first passing Vialle to move into fourth spot and then onto the back wheel of Fernandez. Gajser with around two seconds over Adamo and Herlings looking comfortable in fourth place as he chased after Fernandez. Vialle not too far back in fifth place.

Gajser looking a lot more comfortable on the Yamaha this weekend, but still fighting it a little, but his lead over Adamo was growing and he was looking pretty much in control up front. Herlings with a problem as his bike stopped going forward and stuck in a corner. Big disappointment for the Dutchman in his debut ride for HRC. He did get the bike working again and around this muddy Mantova circuit, it could be anything. He started charging again, so just a minor issue it seems.

Gajser just cruising along in front of Adamo, Vialle, who had passed Fernandez, then the Spaniard, Guadagnini, Geerts, and Herlings in last spot. Adamo also a problem with the bike in these muddy conditions and out of the race. Also a problem for Fernandez who dropped from third to fifth. Gajser wins it from two former MX2 champions in Vialle and Guadagnini. Herlings did charge through the field to get up to 11th place.

Full results soon....