Desalle wins MXGP in Russia
Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Clement Desalle has won his second Grand Prix in as many rounds as he won the Grand Prix of Russia with 3-1 results. Second overall was Red Bull KTM factory rider Jeffrey Herlings with 1-7, and third overall Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider Gautier Paulin with 5-3 scores.
Desalle also moved into second place in the MXGP championship points, and closed the lead to Antonio Cairoli down to 47 pts, with Paulin 48 pts behind the Italian. Herlings is now 90 pts behind in fourth place in the championship.
It as Desalles 22nd GP victory, placing in equal with legends Harry Everts, Dave Thorpe, Alex Puzar, Sten Lundin and Rolf Tibblin, who all have 22 GP wins.
Clement Desalle: It was really difficult. I tried to stay calm and I was really focused in the second moto, but I did crash once. Its great to win another GP. Also good for the championship. I didn’t know I was second in the championship. Cool to win the moto and the Grand Prix. You need a bit of luck with these conditions and I am really happy for that.
Jeffrey Herlings: I was super excited. I thought I could win both motos. I was second in the first corner and somebody hit my from the inside, then I tipped over, and then later I crashed again, and I thought it was over. I had problems with my front brake, but we had a good weekend. I improved the starts and we did a great job and I can’t wait for Italy, I really like that track.
Gautier Paulin: It is like it is, with the weather. Saturday I felt relaly good and felt free o nthe track, but it was totally different today. First moto I had issues with the water and got some stones in my eyes from the lappers. I didn’t get a great start in the second moto, but I loved the bike, then I crashed with a lapper, so many lappers and the level was so differnet. It cost me a lot, but being on the podium isn’t too bad.
MXGP moto one
Herlings has won the MXGP opening moto of the Russian GP (his fourth moto win from the last seven run). The Dutchman finally got a good start, holding down second in the first lap, and then made a nice pass on Antonio Cairoli mid-race, and pulled away, at one point 22 seconds ahead of the Italian and at times, clocking laps times five seconds faster than his rivals.
“It was so tough,” Herlings said. “The heavens opened up for two hours or something. I needed a good start and nearly got the holeshot, and when I felt like I was ready I overtook Tony, and I hope we can do it again in the second moto. We need another good start.”
At the start of the moto, Cairioli and Herlings locked together out front as Cairoli looked a little wild, but picked up his seventh holeshot of the season. Bobryshev in third nearly goes down as he slips around. Next up are Lupino, Mikhaylov, Anstie, Tonus, de Dycker, and Jasikonis in 10th.
Cairoli pulls a big lead early, but Herlings keeps him in his eyesight. Anstie moved into third quickly. Herlings struggling in the mud a little, as Anstie is all over him.
After one lap it was Cairoli with a one second lead, then Herlings, Anstie, Lupino, Bobryshev, Jasikonis, Desalle, Paulin, Tonus and Leok in 10th.
Anstie maked a mistake and lost a bit of ground on Herlings, as the Dutchman continued to keep close to Cairoli. Febvre on fire as he moves into fifth place. After three laps its Cairoli, Herlings, Anstie, Lupino, Febvre, Paulin, Desalle, Tonus, Bobryshev, and Leok 10th.
Febvre all over Lupino for fourth place, however a lapped rider got caught in front of the Frenchman and cost him some time. Paulin and Desalle made up a lot of ground to Febvre also.
Febvre goes down and is stick in the mud. After five laps its Cairoli with a three second lead over Herlings, then Anstie, Lupino, Paulin, Desalle, Tonus, Jasikonis, Leok and Nagl. Herlings closing in on the leader a little. Tonus went down also and lost some places.
Herlings and Anstie are all over Cairoli for the lead, and this is going to get exciting. Tonus in for googles as he drops even further back.
After 8 laps it was Cairoli by a second, then Herlings, Anstie, Lupino, Paulin, Desalle, Jasikonis, Nagl, Leok, and Febvre.
Herlings makes a nice pass on Cairoli to take the lead, and is looking strong. He quickly puts five seconds between himself and Cairoli. After 10 laps it was Herlings, Cairoli, Anstie, Desalle, Paulin, Lupino, Jasikonis, Nagl, Tonus, and Febvre 10th.
Herlings on fire as he makes it an 11 second lead after 12 laps, and Desalle passed Anstie. Second was Cairoli, then Desalle, Anstie, Paulin, Lupino, Jasikonis, Nagl, Tonus, Febvre in 10th.
Herlings opened the gap by five second on lap 12, and the lead turned into 16 seconds. Anstie back past Paulin, as the Frenchman is now in fifth.
Herlings on another planet as the lead is extended to 22 seconds after 14 laps. Then came Cairoli, who was just five seconds ahead of Desalle, followed by Anstie, Paulin, Lupino, Jasikonis, Nagl, Tonus and Febvre. Not a bad top ten is it.
Herlings wins it from Cairoli and Desalle.
MXGP moto two
Herlings slipped over in the first corner of the second MXGP moto, as Febvre led from Desalle, Anstie, Tonus, Paulin, Coldenhoff, Mikhaylov, Nagl, de Dycker, Cairoli, Leonov, and Herlings down in 19th.
After one lap it was Febvre, Desalle, Anstie, Tonus, Paulin, Coldenhoff, Jasikonis, de Dycker, Cairoli, Nagl and Herlings quickly into 13th place. Herlings goes down hard and loses more places.
Febvre cruising up front, as he continued to lead Desalle and Anstie.
After three laps, it was Febvre, Desalle, Anstie, Paulin, Jasikonis, Coldenhoff, de Dycker, Tonus, Cairoli, Bobryshev and Herlings down in 13th place. Jasikonis went down and was passed by a few riders.
After five laps, its Febvre a 10 second lead over Desalle, then Anstie, Paulin, Coldenhoff, Jasikonis, Tonus, Cairoli, de dycker, and Bobryshev 10th. Herlings down in 12th and Febvre closing in to lap the MX2 world champion.
Febvre nearly stuck in the mud as he got caught up with some lapped riders, and Desalle was right onto him.
After eight laps it was Febvre, Desalle, Anstie, Paulin, Tonus, Coldenhoff, Jasikonis, Cairoli, Bobryshev, Nagl and Herlings. Herlings into 10th place as he passed Nagl, but Febvre closed on the Dutchman.
Febvre moved up on the back wheel of Nagl, set the lap the 11th placed man. Febvre ran into the back of Herlings, and went down, Desalle takes the lead.
After 13 laps it was Desalle, Febvre, Anstie, Paulin, Tonus, Coldenhoff, Jasikonis, Cairoli, Bobryshev and Herlings. Herlings was catching Bobryshev and Cairoli.
Cairoli slipped over and Bobryshev and Herlings both passed him. Herlings looking to pass the Russian now. Paulin moved past Anstie, and Herlings all over Bobryshev.
Tonus also went past Anstie, and that put Herlings into second overall, behind Desalle for the overall.
Last lap it was Desalle, Febvre, Paulin, Tonus, Anstie, Coldenhoff, Jasikonis, Herlings, Cairoli and Bobryshev.