Jeffrey Herlings (Honda): 1-2 finish and Grand Prix victory in Montevarchi

Second round of the MXGP, Grand Prix of Italy in Montevarchi: The rain showers that had been falling during the second MX2 race eased off before the start of the second MXGP race. Although the track was still damp in places, it was more predictable than in the second MX2 race.

Holeshot: Andrea Adamo

Amidst the cheers of the Italian fans, Red Bill KTM factory rider Andrea Adamo took the holeshot ahead of Yamaha factory rider Tim Gajser and HRC factory rider Tom Vialle. Behind them, both Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) and Lucas Coenen (KTM) stumbled independently of one another, but both managed to narrowly avoid a crash. Herlings and Coenen were able to hold off Vialle in the early stages.

Tim Gajser: Determination leads to race victory

Adamo led the second race for four laps. Tim Gajser attacked on the inside of a left-hand bend and pushed the Sicilian off the track, causing him to drop straight down to fourth place behind Herlings and Coenen. Tim Gajser, who had retired from the first race following a collision and a punctured rear tyre, took the lead and controlled the race from the front.

Tim Gajser setzte sich gegen Andrea Adamo durch und gewann Lauf 2

Foto: MXGP-TV

Jeffrey Herlings secured his 116th race win

In this race, Jeffrey Herlings had to fend off Lucas Coenen, who applied pressure from behind throughout the race. ‘The Bullet’ knew that second place in the second race would be enough for the Grand Prix victory and secured that position as he crossed the finish line. With a 1-2 finish, Herlings celebrated his 116th Grand Prix victory in Montevarchi. It was also his 20th GP victory on Italian soil.

Maxime Renaux back on the podium

As was only revealed after the race, Maxime Renaux was struggling with health issues in Montevarchi and appeared to have a severe cold. “In the second race, I was completely knackered,” the Frenchman admitted. “I was just trying to get through it.” With a 2-6 result, he finished in third place on the podium.

Another strong performance from Jan Pancar

Slovenian privateer KTM rider Jan Pancar got off to another good start in the second race, managed to keep Kawasaki works rider Pauls Jonass behind him right until the end, and finished the day in 7th place overall with a 8-7 result.

World Championship points for Brumann and Nickel

Swiss SixtySeven Husqvarna rider Kevin Brumann finished the day in 17th place with 4 World Championship points. Cato Nickel (Honda) also secured 2 World Championship points in 18th place.

The situation at the top of the standings

With his victory in Montevarchi, Jeffrey Herlings, in second place in the standings, managed to close the gap slightly once again. After 9 of 19 rounds, Lucas Coenen now holds a lead of 56 World Championship points over Herlings. Romain Febvre, in third place, is already 102 points behind. The action continues this coming weekend in Agueda (Portugal) with round 10 of the World Championship.

MXGP Montevarchi results

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, 1–2

2. Lucas Coenen (B), KTM, 3–3

3. Maxime Renaux (F), Yamaha, 2–6

4. Andrea Adamo (I), KTM, 7–4

5. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, 6–5

6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NL), Ducati, 4–10

7. Tom Vialle (F), Honda, 5–9

8. Jan Pancar (SLO), KTM, 8–7

9. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, DNF–1

10. Pauls Jonass (LV), Kawasaki, 10–8

World Championship standings after round 9 of 19

1. Lucas Coenen (B), KTM, 449

2. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, 393 (-56)

3. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, 347 (-102)

4. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, 329 (-120)

5. Maxime Renaux (F), Yamaha, 305 (-144)

6. Andrea Adamo (I), KTM, 281 (-168)

7. Kay de Wolf (NL), Husqvarna, 273 (-176)

8. Ruben Fernandez (E), Honda, 264 (-185)

9. Tom Vialle (F), Honda, 249 (-200)

10. Pauls Jonass (LV), Kawasaki, 200 (-249)