Tim Gajser wins moto two but Jeffrey Herlings wins Grand Prix at the MXGP of Afyon

By Andrew Hill on 8th Sep 21

Although Team HRC's Tim gajser secured another moto win in Turkey with his race two victory, Red Bull KTM's Jeffrey Herlings did what he needed to take his record-equalling 93rd Grand Prix victory at the MXGP of Afyon today.

Following his crash in the first moto, Red Bull KTM's Jorge Prado shook it off and delivered yet another holeshot in race two and held the lead in the early laps.

Tony Cairoli made quick work of Monster Energy Kawasaki's Romain Febvre and factory GASGAS rider Pauls Jonass to move up and keep himself in contention. Ahead of him, Gajser briefly lost the back end of his works Honda. Somehow he kept hold of it and he didn't let it faze him for a second the champion was on a mission after having second place snatched away in the dying moments of the first race.

By lap seven Gajser had caught Herlings in second place and he quickly gets by. Seconds later the Slovenian attacks Prado on the finish line jump for the lead, but Prado holds him off.

Shortly after, Herlings tried to strike back without any joy and Gajser continues to track Prado's back wheel and on lap nine makes a pass and never has to look back.

Related: MXGP Afyon results - 2021 Turkey

Herlings also made quick work of Prado, but up front, Gajser was setting fast lap after fast lap to break the tow. By lap 13 he had a comfortable four seconds gap.

Behind the leading pair, TC was again in a battle with teammate Prado but it took the Sicilian two laps to find a way past the stubborn Prado. By then it was too late. Gajser had gapped the field and had a moto win on his 25th birthday. He also had second overall to extend his lead in the championship standings to 28 points.

Herlings took the chequers in second and with it the overall victory but was only able to claw two points back on Gajser. He did, however, move up another place in the table at the expense of Prado. Herlings is now fourth and five points behind third-placed Cairoli.

Febvre finished fifth and although he remains second in the standings, he lost some ground with Gajser moving further ahead and TC lurking just one point away. The Kawasaki factory rider needs wins or he could find himself swamped by the orange machines.

Round nine certainly didn't disappoint and we now wait 11 days for a trip to the sand track of Riola Sardo in Sardinia on September 19.

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