Under beautiful weather conditions and in front of a massive crowd, Red Bull KTM Factory rider Antonio Cairoli has won a thrilling opening MXGP moto with a battle royal with Jeffrey Herlings. Third was Clement Desalle.

“It was a good start and I had a good rhythm, but I got some arm pump and Jeffrey came closer. Its isn’t a track I have good memories, but I did good.”

Cairoli took the holeshot in the opening MXGP moto, followed by Lieber, Paulin, Herlings, Febvre, Simpson, Van Horebeek, Desalle, Searle, Nagl, Bobryshev, Coldenhoff, Seewer, Anstie, Salazar.

Herlings a brilliant pass on Paulin to move into fourth, and Febvre in third. Cairoli quickly getting away from Lieber, and Febvre all over the Belgian. Herlings not making an impression on the front three.

Desalle and Paulin in a nice battle, and Herlings suddenly all over Lieber and Febvre, first passing Leiber and onto Febvre. Desalle also on the charge as he passed Lieber.

Herlings on fire as he makes a great pass on Febvre for second place and quickly got away. The Dutchman is the fastest rider on the track at present.

After three laps it was Cairoli, Herlings, Febvre, Desalle, Lieber, Paulin, Van Horebeek, Simpson, Seewer and Searle.

Cairoli turns it up a little to remain around four seconds ahead and after seven laps it was Cairoli, Herlings, Febvre, Desalle, Van Horebeek, Paulin, Lieber, Seewer, Searle and Coldenhoff. Anstie in 11^th, Nagl 12^th, Bobryshev 13^th, Simpson 14^th and Jaskonis 15^th.

Herlings clocks the quickest lap of the race and moves to two seconds behind Cairoli, and Febvre also making ground on Herlings.

Herlings turned it up and moves even closer to Cairoli. Cairoli looks back and sees Herlings on his back wheel. Less than a second in it. After 12 laps Anstie moved back into the top ten as Coldenhoff drops to 11^th.

Desalle and Febvre in a dogfight with each other for third place, and Van Horebeek closing on those two. Desalle does a little block pass as he passed Fevbre.

Herlings all over Cairoli, this is motocross at its best as the King and Prince fight for the lead. Cairoli suddenly gets away from Herlings in this cat and mouse contest.

Two laps to go and Herlings closed up a little, but Cairoli still has the advantage. Lappers everywhere with a lap to go. Amazing battle to the end.

What a brilliant start to the MXGP season as Cairoli gets the moto win from Herlings, brilliant racing as the two KTM riders congratulate each other. Third is Desalle.

Ray Archer image