MXGP Ernee 21

MOTOREX RIDERS WIN AT FINAL SHAKEDOWN

Ernée, a Grand Prix venue and former Motocross of Nations circuit, entertained the opening fixture of the French national series and the hard-packed and rough terrain welcomed a wide gathering of MXGP athletes eager for final laps ahead of the opening of the twice-delayed world championship campaign.   Herlings, steering his factory KTM 450 SX-F, took his second win in as many weekends (after success in the UK), with a 2-1 scorecard. The Dutchman barreled through from a mediocre start in the first moto but aced his launch in the second outing to beat Romain Febvre to the checkered flag.   Vialle used the KTM 250 SX-F to defeat countryman Thibault Benistant in both motos. The MX2 World Champion claimed a comfortable second race by almost seventeen seconds. So active in MX2 was Vialle’s teammate Rene Hofer. The Austrian made a lively getaway in the first moto before collecting 4th place by the finish. Hofer would occupy the same slot in the overall classification after a small crash meant 5th position in the second race.   Wheelspin at the gate cost Febvre a top-six start in the first race but he was soon on the charge and, setting the fastest laps of the race, was established in third by lap four and confirmed his speed over a full race distance by closing down the front two in the final minutes. An impressive second-placed start in race two saw the Kawasaki rider, who again set the fastest lap, pressure the leader to the finish as they outdistanced the chasers by no less than thirty-six seconds; his 3-2 moto placing’s secured third overall on the day.   The Grand Prix of Russia at Orlyonok will drop the gate on the MXGP series on June 13th.

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