Jeffrey Herlings makes return to action and finishes 2nd through the Lommel sand in Belgium

MXGP of Belgium: This weekend took the sixth Grand Prix of the 2021 Motocross World Championship in Lommel

MXGP

The demanding sandy terrain of Lommel was no obstacle for Jeffrey Herlings produced a heroic performance to finish 2nd overall at the Grand Prix of Belgium. Top five positions for Jorge Prado and Tony Cairoli.

Jeffrey Herlings: “We didn’t ride much in practice but we had a good gate pick and then in the first moto Romain had really good pace, so I just sat there to save energy. As everybody knows, I broke my shoulder blade and it’s not normal to be riding again in thirteen days. I didn’t know if my speed would fade because the track was so rough and hard on the body. At one point I felt I could run a faster pace. I passed Romain and made a gap. I started well in the second moto – fourth or fifth I think - but came together with Glenn going for an inside line. It was a shame to be last but I fought my way back to 5th…then I faded! I couldn’t hold onto the bike that well and I didn’t want to make a big crash. To go 1-5 is a good day. One week ago we thought the championship was over – and I still need to hunt down the points – but 42 points is not too bad and there are still a lot of races and options ahead. 42 away is not where I want to be but if I had this offer a week ago I would have signed for it.”

Jorge Prado: “I’m very happy about today. I feel that we progressed a lot on the physical side. We raced on a track that was not typically what we find here. It was very bumpy from the support races yesterday and, already from Timed Practice, it was so rough. We just had to survive out there. I would have liked to have been ‘on the box’ but a small crash in the second moto did not make it easy. I made a few small mistakes and had to re-group to catch people. I could not make it happen but I’m happy.”

Tony Cairoli: “I didn’t have a good feeling on the track during practice and was struggling to find a rhythm and the lines. I was patient in the first moto and waited a little bit because I could see that Jeffrey and [Romain] Febvre had gone. It started raining very heavily so I decided to try and see if I could make 3rd place. I was riding smart, and 3rd was OK. The track was getting very wet in the second moto and I always struggle a bit in the sand in these types of conditions. It gets very heavy, and you need to ride with a lot of power and strength, which is not really my style. I didn’t really find the flow and had a bad start so had to work through the pack. I finished my roll-off behind [Arminas] Jasikonis. and just had to take 7th. The championship is very close. The result was OK today – even if we didn’t make the podium – but I’m not happy with my riding. It should have been better for this surface. We rode defensive today and not really what I enjoy on these types of tracks.”

MX2

In just his second Grand Prix after returning from right hand injury, Vialle took 4th in the first moto. The Frenchman is still missing quality training time in the saddle but was accomplished enough on the sand to run with the leaders.

Tom Vialle: “7th is not what we want but after the injury I have not ridden in the sand for a long time. I tried twice this week but it wasn’t going too well with my hand. In another way I’m quite happy because my hand came through the motos well. We can build from here. I was already tired at the start of the second moto and the track was really tough today. If you are not ‘bike fit’ then it is extra difficult here. I think I would have enjoyed today a lot more if I had that fitness. I know from here we will be a bit better every day. We will train hard this week and I know I will be 100% by the time we go to Turkey.”

Rene Hofer: “They call it the toughest GP of the year and it was, for sure! The rain did not make it any easier. I got pushed out at the start of the first moto and I was quite far back. I made it to 11th in the end but I wasn’t riding so good. The second moto was a lot better but the crash at the beginning was very ‘expensive’. It cost me time and positions, even if afterwards my riding was a step in the right direction. I just need to improve my sand skills and it’s something I aim to do year-by-year. I feel that I can be more competitive at Kegums next week.”

Mattia Guadagnini: “Not the best day for me. I was feeling good in the first moto and had a strong start but I braked too hard in the first corner and I think I touched Tom. The bike went sideways and it was a big crash. I hurt my right arm. I just tried to save the race and to save some points and in the end it was not so bad. I was missing some strength for the second race because of all the energy I used for the comeback in the first one. I was trying not to crash again. So, not a great GP but Lommel is done for this year! We’re still 2nd in the championship and there are many motos to go.”

Motocross World Championship 2021, Round 6 – Lommel (Belgium)

MXGP
2. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)

4. Jorge Prado (KTM)

5. Antonio Cairoli (KTM)

MX2
7. Tom Vialle (KTM)

9. Simon Längenfelder (GasGas)

10. Rene Hofer (KTM)

12. Mattia Guadagnini (KTM)

16. Isak Gifting (GasGas)

23. Stephen Rubini (Honda)

28. Gianluca Facchetti (Honda)

credits: press.ktm.com and gasgas press center