Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings has gone 1-1-1 for the weekend and made huge gains in the points lead. While it was just a handful of points on the red plate man Tim Gajser, he is closing up on second placed man Jorge Prado, who struggled all weekend.

Second overall was Tim Gajser, who finished with 2-2 for Sunday and managed to extend his series lead over Jorge Prado, who finished with 4-5 results. Third overall was Calvin Vlaanderen, scoring his second podium in a week. The Monster Energy Yamaha rider went 3-3 and is riding possibly better than ever.

In the championship points, Gajser extends his lead and it is now Tim Gajser 608 points, Jorge Prado 574pts and Jeffrey Herlings 557pts. Gajsers lead over Prado is now 34 and Prado holds 17 ahead of Herlings. Its getting hot in the kitchen.

Jeffrey Herlings: Unfortunately, a mechanical sport and my clutch started fading and I didn’t have a clutch at the end. I am happy we go it to the end, and I won the Grand Prix. You know, I was happy to do that with the clutch issue, but shows how strong KTM is, kept going until the end. 1-1 for the first time this year, so pleased about that.

Tim Gajser: Last week I struggled big time, but I feel more comfortable this week. The starts have improved a lot, and I took the holeshot in moto one, but I made some mistakes and lost the rhythm. It is so hot outside. I mean, the sun is low and then shadows on the take-off, I feel this track is better and definitely going to play its part, but same for everyone. I mean, way better than last weekend, more comfortable and I could attack. Towards the end I made mistakes and Jeffrey got me and then next corner I crashed. Second one, good start and huge thanks to everyone around me. We had a good battle with Jeffrey, but then I backed if off.

Calvin Vlaanderen: Yes, solid, I am so happy to have two back to back on the podium. Had a good first race and passed Jorge in the end and then I had a good spot in the second moto and tried to chase the front two, but I settled for a safe third.

MXGP Moto Two

Herlings led the second MXGP moto from Gajser, Guadagnini, Seewer, Vlaanderen, Guillod, Gifting, Bonacorsi, Prado and Okura in 10th. Vlaanderen quickly into third place as he passed Seewer and Guadagnini and Horgmo into 10th place as Okura gets passed by the Norwegian and also by Glenn Coldenhoff.

Herlings seemingly knowing he has the energy to push early is getting away from the pack, but Gajser is trying to get back to him. Seewer a mistake and he dropped to 8th place as Prado moved to seventh and on lap one it was Herlings, Gajser, Vlaanderen, Guillod, Bonacorsi, Guadagnini, Prado, Seewer, Horgmo and Coldenhoff. Prado moved into sixth place and showing good speed, but Guadagnini is last after a big crash.

Seewer looking on fire as he was chasing Prado and looking for a way past the defending champion. On lap three it was Herlings with a 1.3 second lead over Gajser, then Vlaanderen, Guillod, Bonacorsi, Prado, Seewer, Horgmo, Coldenhoff and Paturel.

A lap later and the lead remained 1.3 seconds and Prado all over Bonacorsi for fifth place, but right behind him is Seewer and both Prado and Seewer passed the Italian. Top ten on lap four was Herlings, Gajser, Vlaanderen, Guillod, Prado, Seewer, Horgmo, Bonacorsi, Coldenhoff and Paturel. On lap five the lead was 2.5 second and Prado in fifth was 20 seconds off the KTM leader.

Seewer really pushing hard to stay with Prado and the Spaniard looking more relaxed than his Kawasaki rival on lap six. Gajser wasn’t letting Herlings get away and on lap six the lead was two seconds, with Vlaanderen 11.5 seconds off the leader. Prado still just 20 seconds back in fifth place and seemed to be getting away from Seewer.

With 14 minutes remaining, we await to see if in four minutes Herlings turns it on, as he did in the opening moto at 10 minutes. Lap eight and Gajser onto Herlings and looking for a way past. Two five-time World champions going head-to-head. 11 minutes remaining and Herlings turning the screw a little as he takes the lead to 1.4 seconds again.

10 minutes remaining, but Gajser isn’t letting the Dutchman get away. Lap nine the lead was 1.7 as Vlaanderen was 13 seconds back in third, then Guillod, Prado, Seewer, Horgmo, Coldenhoff, Bonacorsi and Pancar in 10th. A lap later the lead was 2.2 seconds, is Herlings making that final 10-minute push?Gajser suddenly on the back wheel of Herlings again and not allowing Herlings to get a gap.

Herlings and Gajser again in close combat and with five minutes remaining and two laps. Gajser all over Herlings and Herlings not looking comfortable at this point. Applause for Vlaanderen, who is still just 14 seconds back from the two legends, then Guillod, Prado, Seewer, Horgmo, Coldenhoff, Bonacorsi and Pancar still in 10th.

Herlings seems to be getting away now with the lead 2.7 seconds, but we have said that before. 13 laps in and Herlings really showing great speed the last two weekends, with 1-1-2-1-1-1 results at this point from the Lombok experience. The lead was 3.2 seconds and it looks like Herlings has it. Lap 14 and the lead was 4.5 seconds.

The lead was suddenly nine seconds and Herlings charges to victory. Seewer still all over Prado for that fifth-place finish. Herlings wins the moto, the Grand Prix and goes home from Indonesia a happy man. Second overall Gajser and third overall, Vlaanderen.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 - Classification

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 34:21.365; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:07.436; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:14.873; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:28.814; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:39.037; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), +0:48.801; 7. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +0:52.802; 8. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:56.184; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Honda), +0:57.985; 10. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Yamaha), +1:09.584; 11. Isak Gifting (SWE, Yamaha), +1:15.516; 12. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +1:20.777; 13. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +1:40.714; 14. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, KTM), +1:57.732; 15. Yuki Okura (JPN, Honda), +2:04.589; 16. Lionel Kerhoas (FRA, KTM), -3 lap(s);

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 - Classification

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 34:56.731; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:06.087; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:11.716; 4. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +0:13.768; 5. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:16.160; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:17.898; 7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Honda), +0:36.780; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), +0:52.587; 9. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +1:00.313; 10. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Yamaha), +1:07.632; 11. Isak Gifting (SWE, Yamaha), +1:16.644; 12. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), +1:39.054; 13. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +1:47.875; 14. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, KTM), +2:09.852; 15. Yuki Okura (JPN, Honda), -1 lap(s); 16. Lionel Kerhoas (FRA, KTM), -3 lap(s);

MXGP - GP Classification

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 44 p.; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 34 p.; 5. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 32 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 31 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 28 p.; 8. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 26 p.; 9. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, YAM), 22 p.; 10. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 22 p.; 11. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), 20 p.; 12. Isak Gifting (SWE, YAM), 20 p.; 13. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 17 p.; 14. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, KTM), 14 p.; 15. Yuki Okura (JPN, HON), 12 p.; 16. Lionel Kerhoas (FRA, KTM), 10 p.;

MXGP - World Championship Classification

1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 608 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 574 p.; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 557 p.; 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 429 p.; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 411 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 360 p.; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 327 p.; 8. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 274 p.; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 264 p.; 10. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 259 p.; 11. Brian Bogers (NED, FAN), 213 p.; 12. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 172 p.; 13. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, KTM), 171 p.; 14. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, YAM), 167 p.; 15. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), 160 p.; 16. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 146 p.; 17. Isak Gifting (SWE, YAM), 130 p.; 18. Ben Watson (GBR, BET), 110 p.; 19. Alvin Östlund (SWE, HON), 95 p.; 20. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, BET), 71 p.

Ray Archer image