Afyonkarahisar: Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) wins MXGP qualifying race

MXGP qualifying race for the MXGP of Turkey in Afyonkarahisar, the 17th round of the Motocross World Championship: World Championship leader Jeffrey Herlings (HRC) was by far the fastest in qualifying, meaning the Dutchman started from pole position on the inside of the starting gate.

MXGP qualifying, Afyonkarahisar

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, 1:52.231

2. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, +0.719

3. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, +1.431

4. Jeremy Seewer (CH), KTM, +1.716

5. Jan Pancar (SLO), KTM, +1.791

6. Tom Vialle (F), Honda, +1.882

Holeshot: Tom Vialle

Tom Vialle (Honda) took the holeshot ahead of Tim Gajser (Yamaha) and Jeffrey Herlings (Honda). Herlings overtook Gajser on the very first lap to move into second place. “I was too defensive on the first lap,” explained Gajser after the race. Nothing changed at the front over the next 10 laps. Vialle, Herlings, Gajser and Febvre formed the leading quartet. Pauls Jonass (Kawasaki) collided with Andrea Bonacorsi (Ducati) before the first corner and went off the track. Jonass then fought his way back up to 9th place.

Herlings’ lightning attack

With two laps to go, Herlings launched his attack and seized the first opportunity to overtake Vialle and take the lead. “Starting from pole position on this track was important to me, which is why I was riding to win,” explained the Dutchman. Jeffrey Herlings won the race with a one-second lead over Vialle and Gajser. This allowed him to extend his lead in the World Championship standings to 146 points. If he has a lead of at least 145 points after the first round of the championship, Herlings will be crowned champion ahead of schedule.

Jeffrey Herlings platziert das entscheidende Überholmanöver

Foto: MXGP-TV

Fernandez’s spectacular crash

Spanish HRC works rider Ruben Fernandez was in fifth place when, on lap 10, he was thrown violently over the handlebars following a jump. It appeared as though he had lost traction. It looked as though he had put the bike into neutral. The Spaniard was then seen holding his left arm and was forced to retire from the race. It is currently unclear whether he has sustained any injuries.

Ruben Fernandez flog heftig ab

Foto: MXGP-TV

MXGP Qualifying Race, Afyonkarahisar

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, 25:10.790

2. Tom Vialle (F), Honda, +1.046

3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, +2.151

4. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, +5.181

5. Andrea Adamo (I), KTM, +32.721

6. Jan Pancar (SLO), KTM, +34.506

7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NL), Ducati, +34.889

8. Jeremy Seewer (CH), KTM, +39.045

9. Pauls Jonass (LV), Kawasaki, +40.082

10. Alberto Forato (I), Fantic, +41.377

World Championship standings:

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, 805 points

2. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, 659, (-146)

3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, 619, (-186)

4. Lucas Coenen (B), KTM, 566, (-239)

5. Andrea Adamo (I), KTM, 528, (-277)

6. Tom Vialle (F), Honda, 505, (-300)