MXGP

LOMBOK (Indonesia) 06 July 2024 – The MXGP World Motocross Championship riders tackled the Selaparang circuit in reverse direction today for the RAM Qualifying Races, although the oppressive heat and humidity remained to continually test the athletes to their limits as they pushed for points and gate selection positions. 

In MXGP it was a second straight RAM Qualifying Race win for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star Jeffrey Herlings, who made a strong move on Team HRC’s Tim Gajser towards the end of the race, with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP man Calvin Vlaanderen finishing a fine third.

MX2 also saw the same winner as last week with Lucas Coenen recovering from a small crash to take the win for Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing, who enjoyed another 1-2 finish for the season with Kay de Wolf finishing in second place! Simon Laengenfelder once more took third for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing.

“The Bullet” has shown a lot of speed in the two Indonesian rounds so far, showing no problems with the heat of the region despite not racing here since 2018. He topped the timesheets in both Free and Time Practice, with Tim Gajser and Fantic Factory Racing’s lone warrior Glenn Coldenhoff achieving the third fastest time.

Gajser got the jump on Herlings out of the gate, however, and leaned on his rival enough to grab the holeshot, but the Dutchman was with him, ahead of Vlaanderen and his sparring partner from last week, Jeremy Seewer, who held fourth from Coldenhoff and last week’s GP winner Jorge Prado.

The Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing rider did not look to be in top form, starting in sixth place and taking his time to move forward, passing Coldenhoff over the finish line jump at the end of the first full lap, then taking until lap seven to make a switchback pass on Seewer for fourth position, which was where he would finish the race.

Vlaanderen did well to fend off the attentions of the reigning World Champion, and got within attacking distance of Herlings for second place, although that seemed to light the fire under the GP win record holder, who suddenly began closing the gap to Gajser!  The KTM dived up the inside of the Honda, making contact but not initially getting through, before Herlings pulled a stunning move on the final corner before the finish line, taking the lead as the “two laps to go” board came out!

The race finished in that order, as Vlaanderen rejoiced in another top three finish to go with his first overall podium of the season last weekend.

Prado’s fourth place finish means that he drops two more points in the Championship to Gajser, who is now 24 points ahead, with Herlings now 33 behind the Spaniard in third.
Gajser is also still leading the 6 month’s RAM Driving Experience with five win so far!

Jeffrey Herlings: “Obviously last week I suffered from the heat in the second race. This time I thought let’s not start flat out but saving energy towards the end of the race. I feel very good physically. It wasn’t really nice how I had to pass Tim (Gajser), as I kind of touched him and I feel bad because I’m not this kind of rider but I had to overtake him like this! Now I look forward for tomorrow and I hope to be up here again!”

MXGP - RAM Qualifying Race – Classification:  1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 24:22.283; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:01.386; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:04.034; 4. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:06.485; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:07.767; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), +0:28.754; 7. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:32.400; 8. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +0:39.991; 9. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:43.104; 10. Isak Gifting (SWE, Yamaha), +0:43.908

MXGP - World Championship Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 564 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 540 p.; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 507 p.; 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 389 p.; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 380 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 332 p.; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 327 p.; 8. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 274 p.; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 238 p.; 10. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 227 p

Main Photo: Jefrey Herlings

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser; 2. Calvin Vlaanderen

Simon Laengenfelder was fastest in Free Practice, but it was those twin brothers at the top again Time Practice, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Sacha Coenen claiming first gate pick ahead of Lucas. 

The shorter and marginally younger of the twins, Sacha, fired into the lead from the gate, with Laengenfelder initially second, although the Nestaan Husqvarna riders got past the German in rapid succession, Lucas Coenen ahead of De Wolf as it would be until the end of the race.

Sacha’s teammate Andrea Adamo had passed Laengenfelder for fourth on the first lap, but got the new wall jump before the Pit Lane badly wrong, doing well to stay on but allowing the GASGAS back past, as well as Team HRC’s Ferruccio Zanchi.  That proved to be a vital blow to his race as the younger Italian then dropped the bike two corners later, and the reigning Champion could not avoid his fallen machine!  Adamo got back up to tenth at the close for the final point, while Zanchi came home in 15th.

Lucas Coenen hauled in his brother, and made a pass around the outside as Sacha unintentionally paused in a rut.  It wasn’t over though, as on the following lap, Lucas pushed the front wheel too hard in a corner and dropped back into second!  Then it was Sacha’s turn to have the ground give way from beneath him, suffering more of a delay as he ran off the edge of a steep berm and argued with an advertisement hoarding in the process!

This put Lucas back in the lead, with De Wolf making a late charge to pass Laengenfelder and therefore inherit second when Sacha left the track. The German ended up in third and the young Belgian recovered to claim fourth.  Mikkel Haarup took fifth for Monster Energy Triumph Racing, ahead of Liam Everts who also left the track early on, taking sixth for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.

Lucas Coenen therefore took one point away from his teammate’s series lead, which is now on 64 points. Lucas looks in determined mood to hack that down, but anything could happen here tomorrow!

Lucas Coenen: “It was a tough one today! The start wasn’t that bad as only my brother (Sacha Coenen) got a jump on me and then I went on the inside and went 2nd. I just did my race but then lost the front in a corner and tipped over. The track is sketchy and I like it this way. Tomorrow we’ll have two race and will try our best!”

MX2 - RAM Qualifying Race – Classification: 1. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), 24:15.060; 2. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:04.688; 3. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:09.780; 4. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:13.874; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:23.028; 6. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:24.989; 7. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:37.138; 8. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), +0:37.833; 9. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:46.960; 10. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:48.652

MX2 - World Championship Classification: 1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 541 points; 2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 477 p.; 3. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 471 p.; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 437 p.; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 418 p.; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 361 p.; 7. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 326 p.; 8. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 319 p.; 9. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 226 p.; 10. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, KAW), 217 p

Main Photo: Lucas Coenen

Bottom Photos: 1. Kay de Wolf; 2. Simon Laengenfelder

WATCH RAM QUALIFYING RACES HIGHLIGHTS HERE 

All the photos from the MXGP of Lombok will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

MXGP OF LOMBOK QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1640m

Type of ground: Semi Volcanic

Temperature: 32°

Weather conditions: Sunny

WEEKEND TIMETABLE (LOCAL TIME GMT+8)

SUNDAY: 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Lombok
 

The MXGP Paddock was saddened this morning as news came through that American ex-rider Mike “Gunner” Healey passed away at home in California this week.

Mike won two Motocross Grands Prix, with his nine individual race wins a testament to his raw speed. He was a very close second in the 1991 250cc Motocross World Championship, and third in the 1989 125cc Motocross World Championship.  A wild rider with a rock n’ roll haircut and multiple tattoos at a time when Motocross riders rarely had them, his links to the rock band Guns N Roses gave him the “Gunner” nickname, although he was also known as “Stray Cat” in his native USA, where he made his presence felt on a factory Cagiva before picking up a GP ride with KTM from 1989, until the1991 season.

From there he raced for the factory Suzuki 250cc team in 1992, although he finished the year by racing his 125cc practice bike at the Steel City AMA National, driving cross-country to the race and shocking everybody by winning the second race of the day!

A natural talent with a kind soul that contrasted with his outlandish appearance, he will forever be fondly remembered by fans of the sport from that time as a brilliant rider with amazing speed, and a unique character in the history of Motocross.  RIP Gunner.

Photo Credit : Ray Mayes

LOMBOK (Indonesia) 5 July 2024 – After a week where the teams, riders, and crews could enjoy the surrounding attractions of the Indonesian islands between the two MXGP events at the Selaparang circuit, star riders greeted the keenest fans at the venue to kickstart proceedings for this weekend’s MXGP of Lombok!

The riders ready to meet the fans were Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jeremy Seewer, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team’s Andrea Bonacorsi, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Sacha Coenen, Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Lucas Coenen, Fantic Factory Racing MXGP’s Glenn Coldenhoff, Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Simon Laengenfelder, and the local hero, JM Racing Astra Honda’s Delvintor Alfarizi. 

After a traditional dance performance by schoolchildren from the local Permata Hati Kindergarten, the riders said hello to the growing crowd from the Music Stage next to the massive marquee which serves as the Paddock for all of the teams, and were asked by the compere how much they enjoyed the region between the races.  Simon Laengenfelder said he enjoyed the nearby Gili Islands, while Glenn Coldenhoff particularly enjoyed Senggigi beach!

The riders then signed posters for individual fans in front of the stage, posed for selfies, and sent the starstruck fans home from the event with souvenirs which will become instant keepsakes!

Later in the evening, the highest authorities of the West Nusa Tenggara province, and the event organisers, invited riders and teams to join them at the MeruMatta Hotel’s Basilico Italian Restaurant and Bar for the Official Gala Dinner in a beautiful beachside location on the west coast of the island of Lombok.  Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo and FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela both thanked the hosts for their hospitality and assured all of the guests that MXGP would return to the island of Lombok for many future events. FIM Asia President Stephen Carapiet was also present to the Dinner.

Governor of West Nusa Tenggara 2018-2023, Dr. H. Zulkieflimansyah S.E. M.SC wished all competitors well in their efforts, before congratulating his staff on putting together two magnificent events, before all riders and officials present were gathered together for a family photo on the stage and proudly showing the symbol of the “L” for Lombok!

As Master of Ceremonies Mudji Idrus invited the guests to enjoy the buffet, guitar group Tribara played some familiar English-language songs to maintain the relaxed mood, before local dance troupe Sanggar Seni Griya Taman Sari heightened the atmosphere with a colourful performance in elaborate costume!

Mudji then interviewed riders Jens Walvoort of SB Racing KTM, Kay Karssemakers of Fantic Factory Racing MX2, then TEM JP253 KTM’s Jan Pancar, all of whom agreed that the biggest challenge of racing in Indonesia is definitely the heat!

Finally, the guests were treated to a stunning show by the D’Red Fire Dance trio, whose twirling flames and spectacular fire-breathing stunts delighted the onlookers in front of the beautiful night-time seaside scenery.

The evening has set the scene for the second event at the Selaparang Circuit, albeit in a reversed direction, for the MXGP of Lombok, starting tomorrow morning from 09:15 local time with the MX2 Start Practice.

WEEKEND TIMETABLE (LOCAL TIME GMT+8)

SATURDAY: 09:15 MX2 Start Practice, 09:45 MXGP Start Practice, 10:45 MX2 Free Practice, 11:15 MXGP Free Practice, 13:20 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 15:15 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 16:00 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Lombok
 

LOMBOK (Indonesia) 5 July 2024 – If the second straight weekend of action on the island of Lombok is anything like the first one, then we are in for another great slab of racing action for the MXGP of Lombok on the 6th and 7th of July!

The circuit is being run in the opposite direction this weekend, but the heat and humidity will remain to once more push the riders to their limits, making the racing even more unpredictable.

In the MXGP class, Jorge Prado made a great recovery from his issues in Italy to immediately cut into the championship lead of Tim Gajser, whilst Jeffery Herlings took two race wins over the weekend to also close in on the leader!  These three top riders are treating us to an amazing series with their finishing order impossible to predict every time they line up!

Kay de Wolf enjoyed a dominant first weekend in Indonesia to extend his lead in the series, but his teammate Lucas Coenen moved ahead of Simon Laengenfelder for second in the points standings as the German seemed to struggle with the heat. Reigning Champion Andrea Adamo also enjoyed his best weekend of the year to kick the second half of his title defence into gear!

Our long-time partners at the IEG Group will be broadcasting Live from Lombok this weekend. See below for the full list of TV channels that will air LIVE and delayed action of the MXGP of Lombok, as well as the 26-minute Behind The Gate magazine show featuring the best moments from the races, exclusive interviews and more.  All of this footage will be available on MXGP-TV.com and via our TV magazine partners following the Grand Prix.

As always, MXGP fans can follow the races LIVE throughout the weekend. All you need to do is log onto www.MXGP-TV.com Saturday and Sunday, from wherever you are in the world.  Come and join us the incredible 2024 MXGP season fires into the second half of the year!

USA CANADA
 

CBS Sports Network

Sunday July 7th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 14:30 ET – Delayed

Sunday July 7th 2024 – MXGP Race 2 – 15:30 ET – Delayed

LATIN AMERICA

Direct TV

Sunday July 7th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

BRAZIL
 

Bandsports

Sunday July 7th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

MEXICO

FOX SPORTS Mexico

Sunday July 7th 2024  – MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

EUROPE
 

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 06:00 CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 07:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

BELGIUM 
 

PLAY SPORTS OPEN

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 06:00 CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 07:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

ESTONIA
 

Go3

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 06:00 CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 07:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

FINLAND
 

MAX

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 11:00 – Finnish timing - LIVE

FRANCE
 

AUTOMOTO TV LA CHAINE 

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 09:00 CET Delayed

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 10:00 – CET Delayed

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 11:00 – CET Delayed

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 12:00 – CET Delayed

LA CHAINE L’EQUIPE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 06:00 CET LIVE Streaming

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 07:00 – CET LIVE Streaming

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE Streaming

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE Streaming

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 06:00 CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 07:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

ITALY

RAI SPORT Play

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE Streaming

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE Streaming

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 06:00 CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 07:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

LATVIA
 

TV3 Sport Open

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 06:00 CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 07:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

LITHUANIA
 

Go3

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 06:00 CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 07:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

NETHERLAND
 

NOS

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE Streaming

SLOVENIA
 

Sport TV1

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 06:00 CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 07:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

SPAIN

TV Galicia

Sunday July 7th 2024  – MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

ASIA

Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand
 

EUROSPORT ASIA

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 06:00 CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 07:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 09:00 – CET LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 10:00 – CET LIVE

INDIA and Subcontinent (Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives)
 

VIACOM  - Jio Cinema

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 09:30 IST – Streaming

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 10:30 IST – Streaming

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 12:30 IST – Streaming

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 13:30 IST – Streaming

INDONESIA

CHAMPIONS TV

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 Local time – LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 Local time – LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 15:00  Local time – LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 Local time - LIVE

VIDIO

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 Local time – LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 Local time – LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 15:00  Local time – LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 Local time - LIVE

PACIFIC / AUSTRALIA
 

STAN SPORTS

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 1 – 14:00 AEST – LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 1 – 15:00 AEST – LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MX2 Race 2 – 17:00  AEST – LIVE

Sunday July 7th 2024– MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 AEST - LIVE

26min Behind-the-Gate Magazine Partners:
 

AMERICA

Latin America             Direct TV                                 Thursday after each MXGP 8:30pm

Mexico                        FOX Sports                              Thursday after each MXGP 8:30pm

USA                             BEiN USA                                 TBA

EUROPE

Albania                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Austria                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Baltics                          TV3 Sport Open                      Thursday after each MXGP

Belgium                       Play sports                              tba

Belgium                       SPORT TEN                              tba

Bosnia                         GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Croatia                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Finland            MTV                                        During the week after the event

Hungary                      GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Kosovo                        GP1                                        Thursday after each event at 20:15

Montenegro                GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Northern Macedonia  GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Portugal                      SPORT TV                                Tuesday after the event        

Romania                      Look Sport                               Wednesday after each event

Serbia                          GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Slovenia                      Sport TV                                  Tuesday after the event

INDIA and Subcontinent (Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives)
 

VIACOM 18                                                                        Wednesday after the event

INDONESIA                  Champions TV

                                    Moji

                                    Vidio

AUSTRALIA

Australia                      Stan Sport                               Wednesday after each event

WORLDWIDE

Worldwide                  Motorvision                            During the week after the event

Worldwide                  Redbull TV                               Race Craft and Vlog

Worldwide                  YouTube – MXGP TV               16 days after the event.

MXGP of Lombok LIVE MXGP-TV Timetable

TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC+8)

SATURDAY: 10:45 MX2 Free Practice, 11:15 MXGP Free Practice, 12:10 MX Open Free/Time Practice,13:20 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP Time Practice, 14:35 MX Open Race 1, 15:25 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 16:10 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 10:00 MX Open Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

Lombok

Defending MXGP World Champion Jorge Prado opened up his Indonesian experience with a victory last weekend, and while that win isn’t enough to give the Spaniard the red plate back, he gained valuable points on series leader Tim Gajser of the HRC factory team.

While winning the Grand Prix, Prado felt that the points gained was one of the highlights of the weekend, but having scored his 45th GP victory, also moved a step closer to Joel Robert, who has 50 and Joel Smets, on 57. Two of the greatest motocross riders of all time. As he told us, points and GP wins matter a lot in this stage of his season.

“Yes,” Prado said. “Everything matters, also the GP win. Gaining another GP victory makes me very happy and it is needed for the confidence to prove the hard work, so a little bit of both. We made good ground on Tim, especially in that second race. Super happy about the weekend.”

As for his rivals, Jeffrey Herlings and Gajser, the GASGAS rider still feels he is superior, when the conditions suit him, but knows that both the Dutchman and the Slovenian are stronger in conditions that suit them.

“I mean, its close when we have mud races. I feel in dry conditions, there is still some gap. Look for example myself in Lugo, with dry conditions, in the qualification race, from P6 or something, I went and won the moto. Passing all these guys in front in the championship and the ones in the back, so, no. For sure there isn’t a big gap, Tim, Jeffrey and I are pretty similar. One guy is riding better in mud conditions another guy is riding better in dry and rutty another guy might be better when its more slippery and that makes it fun for the spectators.”

And the week between the first Indonesian round in Lombok and the second has been spent not only working, but also enjoying his time in Indonesia, a country that gives so much for us the paddock people and a place Prado can find a great place to train, but also spend time with friends, family and his GASGAS team.

“The day has 24 hours; I think we can do a little bit of both (training and enjoying). With this nice weather, I think we can enjoy, but we keep putting the work in and get fit for the next one. I am not sure where we are going, but another part of the island which is good for training and I have some Spanish friends here, so will spend some time with them.”

But soon, this weekend in fact, Prado will put his mind back into business mode and try and once again beat his main rivals and head home to Europe with even more momentum that he collected last weekend. Always looking to gain the upper-hand and get closer to that red plate.

Photo Credit : GasGas