The sand track of Lierop saw the young talented European riders take part in the Semi Finals of their last round of the season, and while Valentin Guillod and Nick Kouwengberg dominated the EMX250 Semi Finals, Davy Pootjes and Frederik Van Der Vlist won their EMX125 heats.
Pauls Jonass, who was crowned EMX125 European Champion in Matterley Basin, is taking part in the EMX250 class this weekend, and he actually gave a big surprise finishing second in group B’s Semi Final.
MX1
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli had an excellent start and after taking the holeshot he dominated the race until the chequered flag. The Italian explained that he enjoyed a lot racing the sandy track of Lierop and he mentioned that he has been doing some test with the team and this weekend he is racing with the 450cc. Cairoli admitted that they still need to make some changes in the bike for tomorrow but all in all he feels comfortable with it and he is confident for tomorrow’s races.
JK SKS Gebben Yamaha’s Shaun Simpson had one the best performances of the season today by finishing second in the qualifying race. The British rider had a very good start in fifth and he then starred in a tough battle with Jeremy Van Horebeek and Clement Desalle for the third position. In the end Simpson overtook them and he gave chase to Evgeny Bobryshev who was riding in second and he actually overtook him by the middle of the heat. The British rider is looking forward to tomorrow’s races and he will give it all to fight for a podium finish or at least for a top five result.
Honda World Motocross’ Evgeny Bobryshev obtained the third best result in the pre-qualifying practice and he did a very consistent qualifying race crossing the finish line third. The Russian started third and after the first lap he managed to overtake Desalle. However, when he was riding comfortably in second, he was surprised by Simpson and dropped down one position. Bobryshev was very satisfied with his performance today, as Lierop is not one of his favourite tracks, so he hopes to fight for another top three result tomorrow.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle had a really good start in second, but he lost his position with Bobryshev and Simpson after five laps. The Belgian rider admitted that he found the track quite tricky and demanding and he decided to ride safe in order not to crash and safe some energies for tomorrow’s races.
Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jeremy Van Horebeek started the race with the front group but it was hard for the Belgian to improve his initial fourth position. In the end he crossed the finish line fifth and he admitted that he is very comfortable for tomorrow, so he might obtain his maiden MX2 podium.
Tommy Searle started down in the tenth position, but he made an incredible recovery to finish sixth, ahead of Ken De Dycker, who was forced to enter the pitlane with three laps to go to get new goggles. Gautier Paulin finished eighth and Kevin Strijbos and David Philippaerts completed the top ten.
MX1 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 24:47.536; 2. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:05.604; 3. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:16.580; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:20.784; 5. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:24.623; 6. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:46.204; 7. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:46.425; 8. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:49.041; 9. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:51.844; 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Honda), +1:10.180;
MX2
The big surprise of the day was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings who decided to take part in his home Grand Prix even if he is still recovering from his broken shoulder blade. The Dutch rider managed to take the holeshot and led all the race crossing the finish line four seconds ahead of Glenn Coldenhoff. Herlings admitted that he felt some pain on his shoulder while riding today, but he believes he will be able ride two consistent heats tomorrow and even win the Grand Prix.
Standing Construct KTM’s Glenn Coldenhoff had a very good start and he rode a consistent race in second until the chequered flag. The Dutch rider tried to catch Herlings, but he started making little mistakes which made him lose some ground with his compatriot. In the meantime, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier closed the gap with him and he was really close to overtake him, but in the end Coldenhoff finished second with a comfortable gap with Tixier.
The fourth position was for Rockstar Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Dylan Ferrandis who rode a very consistent race in fourth and managed to keep the pressure from Romain Febvre in the beginning of the race and he crossed the finish line fourth two second ahead of Arnaud Tonus.
CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy Pro Circuit’s Arnaud Tonus proved today that he is getting his shape back, as he obtained the second best lap time in the pre-qualifying practice and he rode a very strong qualifying race in fifth. Romain Febvre could not keep his initial fifth position but he was very happy with his sixth place.
Petar Petrov started down in the thirteenth position, but he showed his riding skills in the sand today as he succeeded to finish seventh ahead of Dean Ferris and Jake Nicholls, while Maxime Desprey was completing the top ten.
José Butrón and Christophe Charlier, who will be riding tomorrow for the third position in the MX2 championship, did not have an easy day. Both of them struggled a lot with the track and Charlier was only able to cross the finish line eleventh and Butrón sixteenth.
Alessandro Lupino did a very good start, but he crashed when he was riding seventh and he ended eighteenth in the qualifying race.
MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 25:07.057; 2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:04.674; 3. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:11.120; 4. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:16.639; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:18.324; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, KTM), +0:23.555; 7. Petar Petrov (BUL, Yamaha), +0:39.680; 8. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), +0:43.878; 9. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +0:46.536; 10. Maxime Desprey (FRA, Yamaha), +0:49.503;
MXGP BENELUX – QUICK FACTS
Circuit length: 1750m
Type of ground: sand
Temperature: 21° C
Weather conditions: cloudy with some showers
The Grand Prix of Benelux will be broadcast LIVE in France on Be In Sport 2 and Motors TV France, in Italy on SportItalia, in Slovenia on Sport TV, in Portugal on Sport TV3, in the UK on Motors TV UK, in Brazil on Bandsports, in Thailand on True Vision, in Africa on Al Jazeera Sport and Sport TV 2, in the Middle East on Al Jazeera Sport, in Europe on Motors TV Europe and worldwide on MX-LIFE.TV.
TIMETABLE
Sunday: EMX125 Warm up 8:00; EMX250 Warm up 8:30; MX2 Warm up 9:00; MX1 Warm up 9:30; EMX125 FINAL 10:20; EMX250 FINAL 11:10; MX2 Grand Prix Race 1 12:10; MX1 Grand Prix Race 1 13:10; MX2 Grand Prix Race 2 15:01; MX1 Grand Prix race 2 16:07.
- Youthstream
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