Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings win MXGP and MX2 class at the Grand Prix of Great Britain in Matterley Basin. Ryan Dungey and Ken Roczen on top on the other side of the Atlantic at the US Motocross season opener in Glen Helen.
MXGP & MX2
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Tony Cairoli of Italy and Dutch rider Jeffrey Herlings were once again in a class of their own on Sunday, winning both the MXGP and MX2 class GPs of Britain at the Matterley Basin circuit. After eight rounds of the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship, the half way mark of the season, both KTM factory riders lead the points in their classes and have laid a solid foundation in their quest to defend their respective world titles.
Tony Cairoli wrapped up a great day on the British circuit with a 1-2 MXGP moto result that not only saw him deliver near impeccable riding on the KTM 350 SX-F, but also, just one week after the unexpected death of his father, a really heroic personal performance.
Cairoli: “It’s been a tough week for sure for me. When you lose someone really close, it’s not so easy to go on but that’s what he always wanted, for me to ride, so try to continue what was his dream.”
Jeffrey Herlings got the race program off to a great start in his opening MX2 moto. Riding the KTM 250 SX-F, he carved his way to a seemingly effortless victory by a margin of 21 seconds. Herlings was again impressive in the second moto, keeping up an unrelenting race pace as the track continued to break up to seal yet another race win.
Herlings: “I finally made it happen here. I got two good starts, I had no crashes and I felt good all weekend. I had lots of support from the fans so that also makes it nice to race here. This track has everything – a lot of grip, a lot of line choices and it’s easy to overtake other riders. It was great fun. Pretty cool.”
US 450MX
Red Bull KTM Factory riders Ryan Dungey and Ken Roczen topped the podium on their KTM 450 SX-F at the opening round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Series finishing 1st and 2nd respectively in the 450 Motocross class.
Dungey: “The track was really tough today. The crew did a great job prepping it but it definitely got to be one-lined in the second moto. It was hard to make a pass and that is why it took so long for me to challenge for the lead. I’m really happy with my result today and hope to carry this momentum to Hangtown.”
Roczen: “I had a lot of fun today. I have raced the GP here before and ridden this track a lot so I knew what to expect. I was fortunate to get good starts and that kept me up front. I’m pumped to have a podium at the first round to get this season started right.”
Results MXGP Matterley Basin
1. Tony Cairoli (ITA), KTM (1-2)
2. Clement Desalle (BEL), Suzuki (4-1)
3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL), Yamaha (3-3)
4. Tyla Rattray (RSA), Husqvarna (8-4)
5. Tommy Searle (GBR), Kawasaki (6-5)
MXGP Standings after 8 of 17 rounds
1. Cairoli, 351 points
2. Desalle, 323
3. Van Horebeek, 316
4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL), Suzuki, 250
5. Gautier Paulin (FRA), Kawasaki, 205
Manufacturers Standings MXGP after 8 of 17 rounds
1. KTM, 351 points
2. Suzuki, 333
3. Yamaha, 316
Results MX2 Matterley Basin
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), KTM (1-1)
2. Arnaud Tonus (SUI), Kawasaki (5-2)
3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda (4-3)
4. Jordi Tixier (FRA), KTM (2-5)
5. Romain Febvre (FRA), Husqvarna (8-4)
Standings MX2 after 8 of 17 rounds
1. Herlings, 344 points
2. Tonus, 305
3. Febvre, 263
4. Tixier, 253
5. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA), Kawasaki, 248
Manufacturers Standings MX2 after 8 of 17 rounds
1. KTM, 374 points
2. Kawasaki, 331
3. Husqvarna, 269
Next Round: June 1 – GP of France, Saint Jean d’Angely
Results 450MX Class Glen Helen
1. Ryan Dungey (USA), KTM (3-1)
2. Ken Roczen (GER), KTM (2-2)
3. Trey Canard (USA), Honda, (7-3)
4. Brett Metcalfe (AUS), Kawasaki, (4-5)
5. Josh Grant (USA), Yamaha (1-15)
Standings 450MX Class after 1 of 12 rounds
1. Dungey, 45 points
2. Roczen, 44
3. Canard, 34
4. Metcalfe, 34
5. Grant, 31
Next Round: May 31 – Hangtown Classic, Sacramento, CA