Reigning MX2 World Champion Tim Gasjer scores a surprise MXGP win while multi-time former MX2 champ Jeffery Herlings wins MX2 at Losail in Qatar.
Reigning MX2 World Champion Tim Gasjer of Slovenia got his MXGP debut off to a fantastic start at Losail Motocross Track in Qatar today by scoring his first career MXGP overall win. Dutchman Jeffery Herlings won the MX2 class.
Silencing critics who felt it best that the 19-year-old Gasjer should defend his MX2 title rather than dive into the MXGP class, Gasjer shocked the troops by scoring a 1-1 sweep of the MXGP motos on his Honda Gariboldi entry and becoming the youngest rider in World Motocross Championship history to score a premier-class win in his class debut.
“I was really relaxed coming here,” Gasjer said. “I didn’t have pressure on myself. I didn’t know what to expect. I knew I had a good winter, good preparation, good testing and good with the team, so I came here just wanting to give my best.”
Reigning MXGP World Champion Romain Febvre rode his Monster Energy Yamaha to second overall. The Frenchman rode at a fast pace in both motos while still recovering from an elbow injury suffered late in the pre-season. Solid 3-2 moto finishes were good enough to net Febvre the runner-up spot at Losail.
“The first moto with my injury to the elbow I couldn’t ride like I expected, I was just too tight,” Febvre said. “I was not happy with the riding, but I’m happy with the place. I made a mistake in the second race, but I came back strong for second. I knew Tim [Gasjer] was really good. I saw him riding a few times in the winter. I saw him riding with the 450, so I knew he would be good. Anyway, we have 17 rounds to go.”
Yesterday’s top qualifier, Team HRC’s Evgeny Bobryshev tied Febvre in the GP points tally today, but the Russian rider had to accept the third spot on the rostrum after scoring 2-3 moto finishes. Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek also got his MXGP season off to a solid start, the Belgian finishing fourth overall via 4-5 moto performances. Eight-time World Champion Antonio Cairoli of Italy completed the top five, the Red Bull KTM rider posting 6-4 motos despite also smarting from lingering injuries.
Red Bull KTM’s Herlings has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons, but his hard work this past winter paid off with an MX2 win at the series opener. Herlings looked like his old self as he unstoppable en route to posting a sweep of both motos.
Team Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Dylan Ferrandis, who has also struggled with injurieswas expected to be fast, and he was. Ferrandis finished second behind Herlings. A thumb injury in the winter didn’t seem to hinder Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass, who nailed the holeshot in the first moto and went on to post 3-3 moto finishes for third overall.
2016 FIM Motocross World Championship
Losail Motocross Track
Losail, Qatar
Results: February 27, 2016 (Round 1 of 18)
MXGP Overall
1. Tim Gasjer (SLO)-Hon/1-1
2. Romain Febvre (FRA)-Yam/3-2
3. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS)-Hon/2-3
4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL)-Yam/4-5
5. Antonio Cairoli (ITA)-KTM/6-4
6. Shaun Simpson (GBR)-KTM/5-7
7. Tommy Searle (GBR)-Kaw/9-8
8. Kevin Strijbos (BEL)-Suz/8-9
9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED)-Suz/7-10
10. Max Nagl (GER)-Hus/12-6
2016 FIM MXGP World Championship Points Standings (after 1 of 18 rounds)
1. Tim Gajser-50/1 win
2. Romain Febvre-42
3. Evgeny Bobryshev-42
4. Jeremy Van Horebeek-34
5. Antonio Cairoli-33
6. Shaun Simpson-30
7. Tommy Searle-25
8. Kevin Strijbos-25
9. Glenn Coldenhoff-25
10. Maximilian Nagl-24
MX2 Overall
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED)-KTM/1-1
2. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA)-Kaw/2-2
3. Pauls Jonass (LAT)-KTM/3-3
4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI)-Suz/4-5
5. Brent Van doninck (BEL)-Yam/8-4
6. Petar Petrov (BUL)-Kaw/6-6
7. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS)-Yam/5-7
8. Samuele Bernardini (ITA)-TM/7-10
9. Brian Bogers (NED)-KTM/13-12
10. Jens Getteman (BEL)-KTM/9-16
2016 FIM MX2 World Championship Points Standings (after 1 of 18 rounds)
1. Jeffrey Herlings-50/1 win
2. Dylan Ferrandis-44
3. Pauls Jonass-40
4. Jeremy Seewer-34
5. Brent Van doninck-31
6. Petar Petrov-30
7. Aleksandr Tonkov-30
8. Samuele Bernardini-25
9. Brian Bogers-17
10. Jens Getteman-17
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