Cairoli wins MXGP moto
Posted on February 04, 2018
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Antonio Cairoli once again showed his brilliance by winning the opening MXGP moto of the 2018 season. Just as he so often does, he took a brilliant start and just cruised away from his rivals. Will we see the Sicilian great continue to dominate his rivals in 2018?
His KTM team-mate, Jeffrey Herlings had a good start and look likely to come out of the first corner in around fifth place, but then got out of shape and went down hard. He was ridden over by a rider, but KTM officials have mentioned he is ok, just a little bruised.
The MXGP moto started with a massive crash as Jeffrey Herlings went down hard. Cairoli led from Anstie, then came Febvre, Van Horebeek, Simpson, Butron, Paulin, Febvre, Lupino, Monticelli, Leok, Coldenhoff, Krestinov, Jasikonis. Herlings was out of the race.
After two laps Cairoli had extended his lead over Anstie, followed by Van Horebeek, Simpson, Paulin, Febvre, Lupino, Leok, Jasikonis, Monticelli, Butron, Coldenhoff, Krestinov, Nagl, Forato in 15th.
Unlike the MX2 race this was very uneventful as Cairoli walked away from Anstie, and the rest of the MXGP riders.
After nine laps it was Cairoli, Anstie, Van Horebeek, Paulin, Simpson, Febvre, Lupino, Leok, Jasikonis, Seewer, Coldenhoff, Monticelli, Nagl, Krestinov, and Tixier 15th.
Paulin went past Van Horebeek for third place, and Simpson was passed by Febvre. After 11 laps it was Cairoli, Anstie, Paulin, Van Horebeek, Febvre, Simpson, Leok, Jasikonis, Lupino, and Seewer 10th.
Febvre was really riding well as he closed up on Van Horebeek and Paulin, but time looked likely to run out for the Frenchman.
MXGP moto - Results
1 222 CAIROLI Antonio ITA Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 16 30:12.650
2 99 ANSTIE Max GBR Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Husqvarna 16 30:32.417
3 89 VAN HOREBEEK Jeremy BEL Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Yamaha 16 30:36.061
4 21 PAULIN Gauter FRA Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Husqvarna 16 30:36.089
5 461 FEBVRE Romain FRA Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Yamaha 16 30:42.518
6 24 SIMPSON Shaun GBR Wilvo Yamaha MXGP Yamaha 16 31:06.978
7 7 LEOK Tanel EST Husqvarna 16 31:49.121
8 91 SEEWER Jeremy SUI Wilvo Yamaha MXGP Yamaha 16 31:49.596
9 77 LUPINO Alessandro ITA Kawasaki 16 31:50.223 1:55.471 2 1:37.573 40
10 27 JASIKONIS Arminas LTU Team Honda Red Moto Assomotor Honda 16 31:55.424