Lucas Coenen (KTM) wins MXGP Race 1 in South Africa

First MXGP race, South African Grand Prix in Johannesburg: Pole-sitter Lucas Coenen (Red Bull KTM) took the holeshot and took the lead ahead of Tom Vialle (Honda), Romain Febvre, Pauls Jonass (both Kawasaki), Maxime Renaux (Yamaha) and Jeffrey Herlings (Honda). Herlings attacked right from the start and, on the very first lap, fought his way past his rivals to take second place behind Lucas Coenen. As the race progressed, Coenen and Herlings pulled away from the field.

In-house Yamaha duel between Renaux and Gajser

Yamaha works rider Maxime Renaux got off to a better start than his Yamaha team-mate Tim Gajser. Gajser made several attempts to overtake, but failed. The two rivals came dangerously close to each other on several occasions, particularly during the jumps, causing the pit crew to grow anxious and urge them to exercise caution. Maxime Renaux eventually crossed the line in fifth place, ahead of a frustrated Tim Gajser.

Crash and retirement for Tom Vialle

French HRC works rider Tom Vialle got off to a good start and held third place for five laps before his wheels got caught in two different ruts and he crashed. Vialle was then forced to head for the pits and retire from the race.

Herlings attacked and pushed beyond the limit

Jeffrey Herlings followed Lucas Coenen and launched a final sprint at the end of the first race. With just 1.8 seconds separating him from the lead and it seeming only a matter of time before he took the lead, he lost control of his bike after landing a long jump and crashed. The crash itself was relatively minor, but it could have ended much worse had it been a highside. Herlings slid to the ground but was able to resume the race quickly; however, the race was effectively decided in the Belgian’s favour. Although Herlings managed to make up a few seconds in the final laps, Lucas was already in ‘cruise mode’ heading for the finish line by that point.

Season’s best for Jonass

In third and fourth places came the two Kawasakis ridden by Romain Febvre and Pauls Jonass. Fourth place marks a season’s best for the Latvian. Kevin Brumann (Husqvarna) from Switzerland crossed the line in 14th place.

MXGP Race 1, Johannesburg

1. Lucas Coenen (B), KTM, 34:20.060

2. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, +4.641

3. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, +16.549

4. Pauls Jonass (LV), Kawasaki, +33.768

5. Maxime Renaux (F), Yamaha, +37.832

6. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, +40.246

7. Ruben Fernandez (E), Honda, +44.525

8. Calvin Vlaanderen (NL), Ducati, +50.171

9. Andrea Adamo (I), KTM, +1:09.455

10. Oriol Oliver (E), KTM, +1:10.640

11. Kevin Horgmo (N), Honda, +1:12.644

12. Jan Pancar (SLO), KTM, +1:22.581

13. Rick Elzinga (NL), KTM, +1:26.094

14. Kevin Brumann (CH), Husqvarna, +1:37.426

15. Romain Pape (F), Yamaha, +1:41.615