Jeffrey Herlings (HRC) in Lommel: Won everything and still frustrated

Round 14 of the MXGP Motocross World Championship in Lommel, Grand Prix of Flanders, Belgium: French HRC works rider Tom Vialle took the holeshot just ahead of his Dutch team-mate Jeffrey Herlings, who wasted no time and took the lead as early as the second corner. At first, it looked as though he would be able to control the race from the front, just as he had in the first race, but this time things turned out differently.

Herlings struggled with technical issues

Halfway through the race, Herlings gestured as he passed the pit lane, as he was experiencing a technical problem. MXGP TV commentator Paul Malin diagnosed a clutch issue. In this situation, Herlings had to be careful not to brake too hard or stall the engine, as that could lead to a complete breakdown. ‘The Bullet’ had to draw on all his experience in this situation to hold onto the lead right across the finish line, which he ultimately managed with flying colours. In the finish area, however, he was still absolutely furious.

Herlings on his technical problem

“We had the same problem again today as we did in Latvia,” he explained. In Kegums, he had come to a complete standstill in the second race and retired. “We were also struggling with this issue yesterday,” he explained, without revealing any details. The prevailing view was that he’d overridden his bike. However, once the dust had settled and Jeffrey was able to celebrate his victory, he played it down again: “This is simply the most difficult track on the calendar and it pushes both rider and bike to the absolute limit.”

It’s simply the most difficult track on the calendar and it pushes both rider and bike to the absolute limit.

Jeffrey Herlings

Romain Febvre’s brutal crash

Kawasaki works rider Romain Febvre got off to a good start and held second place behind Herlings for 15 laps. However, Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna), who had overtaken Tim Gajser (Yamaha) on lap 4, gradually closed in on the Frenchman towards the end. Febvre fought to hold his position, was thrown off balance by a bump, ended up doing a handstand on the handlebars and crashed straight into de Wolf’s path. The Dutchman reacted in a fraction of a second and swerved to avoid the fallen rider, but his head grazed the ground. Fortunately, Febvre was able to get back up straight away and continue in third place. He was even still on course for a podium finish, but on the final lap his Kawasaki suddenly came to a halt on a climb and failed completely, presumably as a result of the heavy crash. A lap down, Romain Febvre was classified in 13th place. Tim Gajser benefited from Febvre’s retirement and, with a 3-4 result, was somewhat fortunate to finish in third place on the podium.

Romain Febvre flog im zweiten Lauf in Lommel ab

Foto: MXGP-TV

Kay de Wolf konnte dem gestürzten Romain Febvre kaum noch ausweichen

Foto: MXGP-TV

Romain Febvre fiel am Ende komplett aus

Foto: MXGP-TV

Max Spies in 12th place

German Becker Racing rider Maximilian Spies, who had retired from the first race with his bike smoking, scored 9 World Championship points by finishing 12th in the second race and, with 42 points, is the highest-placed German MXGP rider in 26th place overall. The two Swiss MXGP riders, Jeremy Seewer and Kevin Brumann, were out of luck. Seewer finished 17th in the second race, whilst Kevin Brumann retired after 12 laps.

The situation at the top of the standings

Jeffrey Herlings secured the maximum 60 points in Lommel with his victory in the qualifying race and his two race wins, thereby pulling well clear at the top of the World Championship standings. After 14 of 19 rounds, he leads by 104 points over Romain Febvre in second place. Lucas Coenen (KTM), who was sidelined through injury, has dropped from second to third place following his third consecutive zero-point round.

Next stop: Sweden

In two weeks’ time, the action continues in Uddevalla, Sweden, on the oldest track on the World Championship calendar. There, the riders will once again encounter completely different ground conditions, as the circuit – nestled amongst rock formations – is famous for its hard and stony surface.

MXGP of Flanders

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, 1-1, 50 points

2. Kay de Wolf (NL), Husqvarna, 2-2, 44, (-6)

3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, 3-4, 38, (-12)

4. Tom Vialle (F), Honda, 5-3, 36, (-14)

5. Andrea Adamo (I), KTM, 6-5, 31, (-19)

6. Ruben Fernandez (E), Honda, 7-6, 29, (-21)

7. Ben Watson (GB), Triumph, 9-7, 26, (-24)

8. Isak Gifting (S), Yamaha, 8-8, 26, (-24)

9. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, 4-13, 26, (-24)

10. Kevin Horgmo (N), Honda, 10-9, 23, (-27)

11. Roan van de Moosdijk (NL), KTM, 13-10, 19, (-31)

12. Jago Geerts (B), Beta, 12-11, 19, (-31)

13. Maxime Renaux (F), Yamaha, 11-14, 17, (-33)

14. Brent van Doninck (B), Fantic, 15-16, 11, (-39)

15. Maximilian Spies (D), KTM, DNF-12, 9, (-41)

MXGP World Championship standings after round 14 of 19

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, 675 points

2. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, 571 points, (-104)

3. Lucas Coenen (B), KTM, 566 points, (-109)

4. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, 534 points, (-141)

5. Andrea Adamo (I), KTM, 450 points, (-225)

6. Ruben Fernandez (E), Honda, 446 points, (-229)

7. Maxime Renaux (F), Yamaha, 425 points, (-250)

8. Tom Vialle (F), Honda, 409 points, (-266)

9. Kay de Wolf (NL), Husqvarna, 345 points, (-330)

10. Pauls Jonass (LV), Kawasaki, 273 points, (-402)