Herlings wins second moto

While Jeffrey Herlings of Team Netherlands won the second moto, the battle for the Chamberlain trophy was now between Team France, Team Australia and Team The Netherlands. Brilliance by Herlings, but also 18 year old Aussie Hunter Lawrence, who won the MX2 overall for the weekend, and could have easily finished with 4-3 results had he not crashed in the late stages of the second moto, finishing with 4-8 results.

“I had a good start in first,” Herlings said. “I pulled a gap, but the track is so slick and I made a small crash. I took my time to get some good lines and managed to overtake Romain for first place, so that was good.”

Herlings quickly took the lead, with Febvre, Ullrich, Gibbs, Leok, Lupino, Charlier, Sanayei, Wilson, Osborne, Strijbos, Cervellin, Baranov, Lawrence, Olsen. Searle in 28^th, Seewer 30^th, and Covington in 38^th. Team Great Britain and Team USA in terrible trouble for an overall victory. Team France with two riders inside the top ten.

World Enduro rider Charlier moved past AMA 250 champion Osborne, ridiculous, but true, and Covington down again.

Herlings once again taking it easy in the early going, his typical race strategy. Lawrence ninth and Gibbs third as the Aussies move into second place in the overall standings. Lawrence and Osborne going head to head as the Aussie makes the pass and gives the Aussies something to get excited about.

After two laps its Herlings, Febvre, Gibbs, Lupino, Charlier, Lawrence, Leok, Osborne, Wilson, Ullrich, Strijbos, Sanayei, Olsen, Cervellin and Bogers.

Herlings went down in the mud, but didn’t lose too much time, still in second. Febvre threw his goggles off, and slipping and sliding his way in first place.

Lawrence into fifth place and chasing down Lupino in fourth place. The Aussies are closing in on France, although they need some luck in the final moto. Going head to head against Febvre and Paulin Gibbs and Ferris would have their hands full.

Charlier goes past Lawrence and Lupino all over Gibbs, the Aussies getting some problems now. Searle in 20^th, and Covington 26^th. Team USA are out of contention. Seewer in for new goggles and miles back.

As he does, Herlings picks up the pace, and closes right up on Febvre. After five laps it was Febvre, Herlings, Gibbs, Lupino, Charlier, Osborne, Lawrence, Wilson, Leok, Sanayei, Olsen, Strijbos, Medaglia, Olsen, Noren, Cervellin, Searle, Ullrich, and Ostlund.

Lawrence into seventh as Osborne moves into sixth, but the chance of a top five is still tough for the American riders. Covington 25^th and Searle now 17^th.

Lawrence closed up on Osborne, and the American closed up on Charlier, the top three MX2 guys all together. Herlings all over Febvre for the lead.

Osborne now the lead MX2 rider as he moved into fifth. The top ten after seven laps was Febvre, Herlings, Gibbs, Lupino, Osborne, Lawrence, Charlier, Wilson, Leok, Olsen in 10^th. Covington lapped by Febvre after seven laps.

Herlings so beautiful on a bike, as he clearly passed Febvre, just too good. He takes the lead and as Febvre drops to second and Charlier seventh the Dutch and the Aussies make a little ground on the French. Team France riders 2-7, Team Netherlands 1-11 and Team Australia 4-6. The French eight points ahead of Holland. Those are the teams going for the victory in the final moto.

Herlings lead three seconds over Febvre, then came Lupino, Gibbs, Osborne, Lawrence, Charlier, Wilson, Leok, Olsen, Bogers, Strijbos, Sanayei, Seewer and Medaglia.

Lawrence back past Osborne, and onto Gibbs for fourth place. Soon after he passed Gibbs. The best MX2 rider of the day, without doubt. Lawrence closing down Lupino in third. Bogers goes past Olsen, to help the Netherlands a little.

Lawrence goes past Lupino, but the 450 rider had too much speed for the young Aussie. Osborne went past Gibbs to move into fifth, and Bogers up to ninth. Lawrence now third and riding like a legend.

Searle up to 15^th place, but it’s going to be tough for Team Great Britain to make the podium unless the French, Dutch or Aussies have bad luck in the final moto.

With throw away races it was France 12pts, Australia 13pts, and Holland 18pts, but then Lawrence crashed and handed Osborne the MX2 lead, and makes it tough for the Aussies now as Lawrence dropped to 8^th place.

Herlings wins the moto and Team France with a handy points lead going into the final moto. Only teams with a real shot at winning the overall are France, The Netherlands and Australia. With a throw-away race its France 11pts, Australia 17pts and The Netherlands 18pts.

Team Points after two motos

1 France 25
2 Race 2 3 FEBVRE, Romain FFM Yamaha
3 Race 1 1 PAULIN, Gautier MCM Husqvarna
6 Race 2 2 CHARLIER, Christophe FFM Husqvarna
14 Race 1 2 CHARLIER, Christophe FFM Husqvarna

2 The Netherlands 30
1 Race 2 6 HERLINGS, Jeffrey KNMV KTM
8 Race 1 4 COLDENHOFF, Glenn KNMV KTM
9 Race 2 5 BOGERS, Brian KNMV KTM
12 Race 1 5 BOGERS, Brian KNMV KTM

3 Australia 39
4 Race 1 23 LAWRENCE, Hunter MA Suzuki
5 Race 2 24 GIBBS, Kirk MA KTM
8 Race 2 23 LAWRENCE, Hunter MA Suzuki
22 Race 1 22 FERRIS, Dean MA Yamaha

4 Switzerland 55
5 Race 1 16 TONUS, Arnaud FMS Yamaha
14 Race 2 18 SEEWER, Jeremy FMS Suzuki
18 Race 2 17 GUILLOD, Valentin FMS Honda
18 Race 1 17 GUILLOD, Valentin FMS Honda

5 Great Britain 60
1 Race 1 19 ANSTIE, Max ACU Husqvarna
7 Race 2 21 WILSON, Dean AMA Husqvarna
15 Race 2 20 SEARLE, Tommy ACU Kawasaki
37 Race 1 20 SEARLE, Tommy ACU Kawasaki

6 Belgium 60
7 Race 1 10 VAN HOREBEEK, Jeremy FMB Yamaha
12 Race 2 12 STRIJBOS, Kevin FMB Suzuki
17 Race 1 11 VAN DONINCK, Brent FMB Yamaha
24 Race 2 11 VAN DONINCK, Brent FMB Yamaha