Anstie wins moto one
Major drama in the mud in moto one as Team USA and Team Great Britain had riders DNF in the tough, muddy conditions. The star of the moto was home rider Max Anstie who scored a start to finish victory, leading home Tim Gajser and Gautier Paulin.
“That was unreal,” Anstie said. “The best thing I have ever done in my life. It felt like an Enduro, I did 10 minutes and I looked up and I still had 20 minutes to go. I just tried to do my thing. What an amazing feeling. I can’t wait to do the next one of the fans. Its unreal.”
Anstie led early from Coldenhoff, followed by Paulin, Tonus, Gajser, Lawrence, Seely, Butron, Bobryshev, Osborne, Ferris, Van Horebeek, Olsen and Bogers.
Anstie made a massive lead over Paulin who had passed Coldenhoff. Cairoli down in turn one and back in 15th place. Searle in 17th place.
Coldenhoff stalled the bike and Tonus past the Dutchman. The Dutch struggling somewhat now. Seely down to 16th place and struggling terribly against this competition. Osborne into 10th place. Team Australian rider Dean Ferris is even more trouble than Seely, as he is back in 34th position.
Ostlund passed Seely to drop the American to 17th place and Cairoli up to 12th place as his team-mate Cervellin was 22nd. Charlier also struggling for France as he was 20th.
After two laps the lead by Anstie was 11 seconds, flying in front of his home fans, but Searle back to 17th, and Seely now 37th.
Searle down to 20th place, but many of the MX2 guys struggling badly. Three that were strong though were Lawrence in sixth place, Olsen seventh, and Osborne in 10th. Bogers 13th also doing well on the MX2 bike. Ferris last, and Seely 34th, the Aussies and Americans struggling badly with their MX1 riders.
Lawrence moved onto Coldenhoff, and tried to move into fifth place. Olsen also right on that group. Searle now 30th after three laps. Another casualty from the opening moto. Seely up to 31st and Ferris into 32nd, with Searle 37th.
Seely problems with his suspension is as good as out of the moto. Charlier using his endure skills into 16th and not a bad place now as some of the other MX2 guys struggle. Osborne can’t get out of 10th place as he drops well back from Van Horebeek in 9th.
Coldenhoff in fifth and Bogers in 13th are not flying, but being consistent enough help Team Netherlands to the podium. Seely and Searle out of the race it seems.
After five laps, the lead by Anstie is 12 seconds, then Paulin, Tonus, Gajser, Coldenhoff, Lawrence, Bobryshev, Olsen, Van Horebeek, and Osborne 10th.
At this stage France led with 2-15, then Holland with 5-13 and then Switzerland with 3-20. Belgium held 8-20 places. The other top teams are struggling with riders at the back of the pack.
Gajser moved past Tonus to get into third and after seven laps it was Anstie, Paulin, Gajser, Tonus, Lawrence, Coldenhoff, Bobryshev, Van Horebeek, Olsen, Osborne, Cairoli, Ratsep, Bogers, Ostlund, and Charlier 15th. Ferris up to 27th and still keeping the Aussies in it.
Gajser went past Paulin and suddenly its France with 18 points and Netherlands with 19th points. With Herlings for the second and third motos the Dutch must look like favourites now. Ferris up to 23rd place, and Team Australia have now 30 points and are in the top five.
Lawrence moved into fifth place and Ferris also looking to move up a few places. Osborne up to 8th, then back to 10th, and trying to help Team USA into the top five. Lawrence moved into fourth, passing Tonus late.
Anstie wins it from Gajser and Paulin. Team France and Team Netherlands the two top teams after moto one. Team France lead with 17 points, then Team Netherlands with 20 points. Then came Team Belgium with 24 points, Team Switzerland 23 points, Team Australia with 26 points.
Race 1 (MXGP + MX2) – Classification
1 19 Anstie, Max GBR ACU Husqvarna 36:10.357
2 67 Gajser, Tim SLO AMZS Honda 36:16.608
3 1 Paulin, Gautier FRA MCM Husqvarna 36:19.755
4 23 Lawrence, Hunter AUS MA Suzuki 36:51.764
5 16 Tonus, Arnaud SUI FMS Yamaha 36:55.335
6 31 Bobryshev, Evgeny RUS MUL Honda 37:05.953
7 10 Van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL FMB Yamaha 37:10.604
8 4 Coldenhoff, Glenn NED KNMV KTM 37:18.991
9 41 Olsen, Thomas Kjer DEN DMU Husqvarna 37:30.118
10 8 Osborne, Zachary USA AMA Husqvarna 37:41.483
11 13 Cairoli, Antonio ITA FMI KTM 37:56.447
12 5 Bogers, Brian NED KNMV KTM 38:18.185
13 25 Ratsep, Priit EST EMF Honda 38:22.805
14 2 Charlier, Christophe FRA FFM Husqvarna 38:24.938
15 38 Östlund, Alvin SWE SVEMO Yamaha 38:29.941
16 61 Goncalves, Rui POR FMP Husqvarna 38:30.346
17 11 Van doninck, Brent BEL FMB Yamaha 38:35.483
18 17 Guillod, Valentin SUI FMS Honda 36:25.863
19 65 Jacobi, Henry GER DMSB Husqvarna 36:35.301
20 26 Kullas, Harri EST EMF Husqvarna 36:38.634