MXGP mudder plays havoc with points
By Team TMX on 6th May 24
Heavy rain meant that the MXGP of Portugal proved to be a total mudder which played into the hands of Team HRC’s Tim Gajser who turned a 13-point deficit into a 14-point series lead meaning he’ll take the red plate into this weekend’s MXGP of Galicia (Spain) which is held at Prado’s home circuit in Lugo that even carries his name.
The fun all started with the RAM Qualifying Race which Gajser won ahead of Jeffrey Herlings and Romain Febvre with Prado struggling to seventh in the sloppy conditions.
Sunday’s opening MXGP moto was held in a rain storm of epic proportions. Herlings and Gajser went at it at the front of the pack in a fantastic battle that saw the lead change hands several times until Herlings’ KTM cried enough leaving the Dutchman stranded. From there on out Gajser had it easy and crossed the line ahead of Pauls Jonass and Febvre as Prado came home a disappointing 15th after pitting for goggles and gloves. This meant Gajser now led the championship.
It looked like it might be short-lived though as the Slovenian crashed in turn one of race two which put him at the very back of the pack. Herlings soon took over at the front with Jonass second, Febvre third and Prado 20th – seven places behind the new series leader who’d picked himself up and fired through the pack!
As Gajser continued working his way forward, Herlings led from Jonass with Febvre holding third until a surprise attack from Cornelius Toendel saw the Norwegian KTM rider move up to third. And that’s how it stayed until the end with Herlings taking a moto win and Jonass securing the overall.
“This year, our main goal was to be consistent, enjoy my riding, enjoy racing. We work very hard in the winter time with the team and we improved a lot from last year and it’s paying off as, you can see the results,” said Pauls “Now, it’s staying consistent! I really enjoyed the mud today. I have to give a massive shout out to all the team, the sponsors and the supporters, my wife at home and I look forward to go home!
Gajser, meanwhile, fought to 10th to take third overall and extend his series lead with Prado a lap down on the leaders in 12th.
A perfect weekend for Red Bull KTM’s Liam Everts saw him take home maximum points after dominating in the mud. He was joined on the podium by Monster Energy Yamaha’s Rick Elzinga and Thibault Benistant with series leader Kay de Wolf placing fourth to keep hold of his championship lead.
“It’s a real dream come true to get a double race win, and maximum points with the RAM Qualifying Race win also,” enthused Liam. “It’s something really special. It’s an iconic venue again where my dad won many times. It’s cool, you know, I’m stoked and I couldn’t do that alone. Thanks to my family, the group around me and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.”
MXGP World Championship
1 Tim Gajser (SLO - Honda) 252, 2 Jorge Prado (ESP - GASGAS) 238, 3 Romain Febvre (FRA - Kawasaki) 220, 4 Jeffrey Herlings (NED - KTM) 198, 5 Pauls Jonass (LAT - Honda) 192, 6 Jeremy Seewer (SUI - Kawasaki) 157, 7 Calvin Vlaanderen (NED - Yamaha) 151, 8 Glenn Coldenhoff (NED - Fantic) 149, 9 Kevin Horgmo (NOR - Honda) 108, 10 Ben Watson (GBR - Beta) 92
MX2 World Championship
1 Kay de Wolf (NED - Husqvarna) 246, 2 Simon Laengenfelder (GER - GASGAS) 216, 3 Liam Everts (BEL - KTM) 188, 4 Thibault Benistant (FRA - Yamaha) 185, 5 Lucas Coenen (BEL - Husqvarna) 171, 6 Andrea Adamo (ITA - KTM) 168, 7 Rick Elzinga (NED - Yamaha) 159, 8 Mikkel Haarup (DEN - Triumph) 154, 9 Camden Mc Lellan (RSA - Triumph) 126, 10 Sacha Coenen (BEL - KTM) 104
