KTM’s Cairoli, Herlings, Win Again at MXGP of Finland

Red Bull KTM Factory riders Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings each go 1-1 to dominate the MXGP of Finland.

Red Bull KTM’s Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings delivered blistering performances in their two respective classes at this weekend’s GP of Finland, with Cairoli recording his 71st career MXGP win while Herlings–still a teenager–recorded his 43rd career MXGP win.

Their results at the GP of Finland, round 13 of 17 in the FIM Motocross World Championship, have left both riders in good stead. Cairoli appears well on the way to his eighth career MXGP (formerly MX1) title while Herlings only needs five more points to clinch his third career MX2 title.

Even while riding cautiously in the opening moto, Cairoli crossed the line 7 seconds ahead of title rival Jeremy van Horebeek. In Moto 2, Cairoli was even stronger, finishing with a 22-second margin of victory while van Horebeek crashed and had to return to the pits to straighten his handlebar.

“This was one of the most difficult races this year because the track was bumpy and very technical,” Cairoli said. “But we had two good starts, and my condition is improving, so I’m happy with my results. And my starts are getting better and better.”

MXGP factory team boss Claudio de Carli said that Cairoli actually got three good starts this weekend.

“We can say that Tony had three good starts this weekend, also in qualifying,” de Carli said. “He wanted to push more in the first moto, but we told him to take care and remember the championship is the goal and not a single race. He had a very good rhythm right from the start of the second race. He took an easy lead and was riding smooth and relaxed. This was one of the most technical tracks and was tricky because it was sand on top but hard surface under it.” 


Earlier in the day Herlings did what he does best, frustrate the heck out of his competition, which has had no answer for his dominance at the 250cc level. He started Moto 1 behind KTM rider Jose Butron, but Herlings was moved into the lead at the end of the opening lap. While slowing to observe a yellow flag warning, Herling was passed by two riders, who0 would later be penalized for passing on the yellow. Regardless, he was back in the lead by the end of lap two and held it all the way to the finish.

Herlings would go on to win both motos on the KTM 250 SX-F by margins of more than a minute each. He heads to the next round with a 145-point lead and, if he stays in winning form, may clinch his third MX2 world title at Loket in the Czech Republic on July 27.

“It was a great weekend even though I had a small crash in qualifying on Saturday,” Herlings said. “It was always a dream to win the championship at home or in Belgium, but if I have a solid weekend in the next round like I had here I will try to take it at Loket. But its not settled yet and there’s still another two weeks to go.”

The Finnish circuit also hosted the (one round) EMX65 Championship won by Russian KTM rider Nikita Kucherov with a 2-1 moto result. Jago Geerts of Belgium also sealed the EMX85 title on his KTM with a decisive 1-1 result. Both young riders said they hope to be able to win their respective world titles when the single-round competition is held in Belgium in August.

FIM Motocross World Championship
GP of Finland
Hyvinkää, Finland
Results, July 13, 2014 (Round 13 of 17)

MXGP
1. Antonio Cairoli-KTM/1-1
2. Steven Frossard-Kaw/3-2
3. Kevin Strijbos-Suz/5-4
4. Jeremy van Horebeek-Yam/2-10
5. Max Nagl-Hon/4-7

FIM MXGP Class Points Standings (After 13 of 17 rounds)
1. Antiono Cairoli-577/8 wins
2. Jeremy van Horebeek-515
3. Clement Desalle-470/4 wins
4. Kevin Strijbos-424
5. Steven Frossard-307

MXGP Manufacturers Standings (After 13 of 17 rounds)
1. KTM-577
2. Suzuki-542
3. Yamaha-519

MX2
1. Jeffrey Herlings-KTM/1-1
2. Tim Gajser-Hon/3-3
3. Jordi Tixier-KTM/2-4
4. Dylan Ferrandis-Kaw/12-2
5. Christophe Charlier-Yam/4-10

FIM MX2 Class Points Standings (After 13 of 17 rounds)
1. Jeffrey Herlings-594/12
2. Jordi Tixier-449
3. Romain Febvre-416
4. Dylan Ferrandis-403
5. Tim Gajser-390

MX2 Manufacturers Standings (After 13 of 17 rounds)
1. KTM-624
2. Kawasaki-508
3. Husqvarna-432