Jeffrey Herlings strengthens MXGP championship lead with Italian GP success

MXGP of Italy number 1 – Faenza: This weekend took sixth Grand Prix of the 2020 Motocross World Championship at Faenza in Italy.

MXGP

Herlings’ prevailed to post his first 1-1 of the year and the 90th since his first GP term in 2010, taking him level with teammate Tony Cairoli in 2nd spot on the all-time list.

Jeffrey Herlings: “I felt good all day. The speed of the top ten is unbelievably fast. Everybody is so close to each other and the starts really were key. It was hard to pass Jorge because he was riding defensive lines. I got the opportunity in both motos when he started to get a bit tired. It will be an exciting week, I think. The track could still get rougher to give more opportunities to pass but they did good with the watering and it was safe, which is the most important thing. I’m looking forward to Wednesday.”

Tony Cairoli: “I re-grouped from 8th place in the first moto and I saw Jorge and Jeffrey at the front. The pace was fast but I could come closer and Jeremy [Seewer] was also very fast today. I gained a position when Jorge crashed at the end. My start was better in the second moto and I was in 4th even though I made a big mistake on the first lap and nearly went down. That cost me. I had to recover and keep safe because the track was getting a bit harder. I could find some more speed. I tried to attack in the last laps but, overall, I’m happy with 3rd because this kind of track is not really one of my favorites. We have to do another two races here so I hope to improve.”

Jorge Prado:“I’m pretty happy with my riding. I had a little dip in the first moto and Jeffrey used that to pass me. Seewer and Tony were then attacking very hard but I kept with Jeffrey until the last lap. I entered a rut and when I was able to open the gas the rut fell-in and it popped my front wheel out of place. I crashed because of that. It was a case of bad luck. In the second moto, I started well and was riding well until the end when Jeffrey came through again. I made some mistakes and lost some focus. Fifth overall is decent but I’m aiming for more. After being the guy who led most laps today it is a pity not to be on the box, but we will get there. I’m feeling good.”

MX2

Vialle’s 4-2 was enough for 3rd overall and his fifth podium appearance from six rounds. He still fronts the MX2 championship chase by 3 points from Jago Geerts.

Tom Vialle: “In the first moto I was feeling pretty good but then made a mistake which happened so fast that I didn’t really understand what caused it. I lost the front but recovered to 4th and in the second moto Max [Renaux] was riding really well and made a gap on us at the beginning. I worked and made a rhythm to close it up. I pushed so much in the last five laps. The track was hard, with a lot of ruts and I couldn’t find a way through. Overall it was not a bad day.”

Faenza will now stage Grands Prix of Citta di Faenza and Emilia Romagna on Wednesday 9th and Sunday 13th respectively this week.

Motocross World Championship 2020, Round 6 – Faenza, Italy (number 1)

MXGP

1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)

3. Antonio Cairoli (KTM)

5. Jorge Prado (KTM)

13. Michele Cervellin (Yamaha)

14. Alessandro Lupino (Yamaha)

MX2

3. Tom Vialle (KTM)

13. Simon Längenfelder (GasGas)

15. Ruben Fernandez (Yamaha)