Gebben Van Venrooy Racing Yamaha mounted Calvin Vlaanderen has shocked the World with a magnificent moto victory in the opening MXGP moto from todays round in Sardinia. After working his way from seventh place in the opening lap to pass Tim Gajser in the final two laps and just walked away from the Slovenian.

Calvin Vlaanderen: To be honest I have no idea (how he did it), I got into third and I saw Gajser and Prado up front, and I knew this was my chance. I am so thankful for everyone who has supported me, this is just the beginning.

With a moto to go today, the MXGP championship points are now Tim Gajser 358, Maxime Renaux 270, Jeremy Seewer 249, Jorge Prado 240 and Glenn Coldenhoff 212.

Gajser into the lead at the start of the MXGP moto ahead of Renaux, who crashed on the second corner taking down a bunch of riders, including Coldenhoff and Bogers. The top ten was Gajser, Prado, Jonass, Jacobi, Van Doninck, Seewer, Vlaanderen, Evans, Guadagnini and Van Horebeek 10^th. Renaux again crashed, as did Forato and Fernandez.

Gajser looking a little nervous on this tricky track as he has Prado on his back wheel, and Jonass also close to the lead. Coldenhoff into 13^th position. Two laps in and the lead was 1.5 as Gajser made a little break and Jacobi lost his position to Van Doninck, Seewer and Vlaanderen.

Seewer moved past Van Doninck and on lap three it was Gajser, Prado, Jonass, Seewer, Van Doninck, Vlaanderen, Jacobi, Evans, Guadagnin and Jasikonis. Vlaanderen again riding well as he pushed his way past Van Doninck.

Horrible race for Renaux who is still back in 15^th place, just ahead of Watson. Vlaanderen all over Seewer and nearly passed on lap four. Amazingly a gaggle of factory riders outside the top ten in Van Horebeek 11^th, Bogers 12^th, Coldenhoff 13^th, Fernandez 14^th, Renaux 15^th. Bogers moved past Van Horebeek and Jasikonis to move into 10^th.

On lap six the lead was just 1.1 seconds and the top ten was Gajser, Prado, Jonass, Seewer, Vlaanderen, Van Doninck, Jacobi, Evans, Guadagnin and Bogers. Jonass, Seewer and Vlaanderen in a close battle for third position.

Evans into seventh place as he passed Jacobi, who dropped to ninth and as Prado was all over Gajser, Seewer and Vlaanderen locked handlebars for fourth. Renaux a nice charge to 11^th position and seemingly coming hard for the top ten guys.

Seewer and Vlaanderen both passed Jonass and the top ten on lap nine was Gajser, Prado, Seewer, Vlaanderen, Jonass, Van Doninck, Evans, Guadagnini, Bogers and Renaux. Vlaanderen made a nice pass on Seewer for third position. Evans continued his climb through the field as he passed Van doninck and moved into sixth.

Evans up to fifth position as he got around Jonass and soon after Van Doninck also got the Latvian. Top ten on lap 12 was Gajser, Prado, Vlaanderen, Seewer, Evans, Van Doninck, Jonass, Bogers, Renaux and Guadagnini.

Gajser now 3.4 seconds ahead of Prado and seemingly in control of the moto victory. Evans seemingly hit the wall as he dropped to ninth place and Vlaanderen moved past Prado, who like Evans was slowing near the end of the moto. Evans back to 12^th and really struggling, possible feeling sick from the heat? Evans down in 14^th.

Vlaanderen looking brilliant as he moved to 2.2 seconds off Gajser in the final three laps. Two laps to go and the lead was just over a second and the South African/Dutchman looking very strong. Vlaanderen all over Gajser and into the lead. Gajser like Evans is struggling big time. Vlaanderen won by nearly 10 seconds over Gajser and Prado.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 - Classification

1. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), 35:24.028; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:06.989; 3. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:11.426; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:16.782; 5. Brian Bogers (NED, Husqvarna), +0:23.969; 6. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:28.515; 7. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), +0:30.825; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:34.304; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:40.083; 10. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Beta), +0:42.328; 11. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GASGAS), +0:46.703; 12. Alvin Östlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:48.623; 13. Henry Jacobi (GER, Honda), +0:51.155; 14. Alberto Forato (ITA, GASGAS), +0:51.937; 15. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +1:01.239; 16. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +1:24.600; 17. Ben Watson (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:29.550; 18. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Yamaha), +1:49.322; 19. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:50.672; 20. Miro Sihvonen (FIN, Honda), +1:59.712; 21. Hardi Roosiorg (EST, KTM), +2:15.445; 22. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +3:29.439;

Eric Laurijssen image