Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings once again pressed the charge button with 10 minutes to go in the opening moto and waltzed past early leader Jeremy Seewer and then controlled the race to set up yet another GP victory. The Dutchman had been patient, but it was obvious that at some point he would put the hammer down to extend his championship points lead over Romain Febvre and Tim Gajser. The points are now Herlings 530 points, Febvre 513 pts, Tim Gajser 508 pts Prado 453 pts and Cairoli (419 pts.

Jeffrey Herlings: I think yesterday the track was in better shape, tough to pass and I didn't know where to pass. I had a good start, and you need that here. This field is so stacked with Tim, Romain and Jeremy but it is good. Looking forward to the second one.

In what was another classic moto as the big three, Herlings, Febvre and Gajser fight for this title race. The challenge is nearly over for both Antonio Cairoli and Jorge Prado who DNFed and crashed to lose a lot of points. Second was Seewer with Febvre third.

Seewer took the lead from Ben Watson, Jorge Prado, Jeffrey Herlings, Arnaud Tonus, Tim Gajser, Romain Febvre, Thomas Olsen, Vsevolod Brylyakov, Glenn Coldenhoff, and David Philippaerts into 12^th. Cairoli down in 15^th.

Herlings into second and Febvre flying into third place. Prado getting pushed back by the two more experienced riders. Cairoli out of the race with some issues after being hit by a slower rider and injuring his leg (possible will miss moto two). Gajser now onto Herlings and Febvre who were in a huge battle.  After two laps it was Seewer, Herlings, Febvre, Gajser, Prado, Olsen, Coldenhoff, Jonass, Tonus and Brylykov. Watson crashed and back in 29^th.

Herlings and Febvre now all over Seewer as this race is just warming up. Gajser pushing to catch those two riders and Philippaerts clearly feeling the pace was back in 14^th spot. Herlings is always stronger in the second part of the moto, but Febvre is really pushing hard.

Seewer continued to lead as he was showing brilliance, the old Seewer seems to be back from his sickness riddled season. Gajser also looking fast in fourth place. Febvre moved past Herlings, but the Dutchman fought back to regain second spot.

Six laps in the lead was one second and then came Herlings, Febvre, Gajser, Prado, Olsen, Coldenhoff, Jonass, Tonus and Brylyakov in 10^th. Seewer now feeling the pressure of the three championship contenders. Incredible that these three always find their way to the very front, time and time again.

Nine laps and the lead was less than a second with Seewer holding how nerve as the big three put on huge pressure. Gajser and Febvre nearly crash into each other as Gajser went for a sharp pass in a corner. Just incredible what is going on in this race with these four riding at a crazy pace.

10 minutes to go and Herlings might just now make his charge, as he does every weekend and sure enough Herlings into the lead and once again, that 10 minute mark is when “The Bullet” starts his race. Prado down and dropping well back, both the Spaniard and Cairoli now nearly impossible challenges to catch the front three.

Febvre a mistake and Gajser all over him and Herlings riding off into the distance. Massive pressure building for both these riders as Herlings makes the perfect 25 points. Three laps to go and the lead was three seconds as Febvre and Gajser did their best to get around Seewer. Febvre into second, but Seewer back into that position, crazy fighting between these two. Herlings wins it from Seewer and Febvre, with Gajser fourth, and Olsen a brilliant ride in seventh place.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 - Classification

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 34:14.099; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:02.146; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:03.665; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:04.234; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:41.383; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GASGAS), +0:44.401; 7. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:48.810; 8. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +1:09.882; 9. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:10.696; 10. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), +1:11.881; 11. Tom Koch (GER, KTM), +1:17.703; 12. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +1:23.403; 13. Dylan Wright (CAN, Honda), +1:24.975; 14. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Honda), +1:26.262; 15. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +1:30.803; 16. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Yamaha), +1:38.000; 17. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +1:43.923; 18. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:44.769; 19. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +2:26.868; 20. Brian Bogers (NED, GASGAS), -1 lap(s); 21. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), -5 lap(s); 22. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Yamaha), -6 lap(s); 23. Henry Jacobi (GER, Honda), -8 lap(s); 24. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), -9 lap(s); 25. Timothée Hoarau (FRA, Kawasaki), -12 lap(s); 26. Vsevolod Brylyakov (MFR, Honda), -13 lap(s); 27. Alberto Forato (ITA, GASGAS), -14 lap(s); 28. Josh Gilbert (GBR, Husqvarna), -14 lap(s); 29. Miro Sihvonen (FIN, Honda), -16 lap(s); 30. Lorenzo Locurcio (VEN, KTM), -16 lap(s); 31. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), -20 lap(s);

Ray Archer image