Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Clement Desalle picked up his 23^rd Grand Prix victory with a consistent 1-2 score today in Russia. The Belgian toughman looked very solid all day and became the first none KTM rider to win an MXGP overall in 2018.

"It feels good," Desalle said. "I am really happy, it was tough, at the beginning of the year with the two orange guys. We worked hard and the bike is perfect. It is a nice track, also happy to be the first guy to beat the KTMs."

"You know we did a good thing in the championship," Herlings said. "23 points or something. It isn't my favourite track, I think this an Arco are my least favourite. I am looking forward to Latvia and go for the top spot again."

"First moto was ok," Cairoli said. "A good battle with Jeffrey, close racing, but Desalle was fast and pulled away, I got closer, but too late. The track was difficult, slippery, not really my type of track. Second moto I crashed and back to figth, which is okay. It was better to be closer to the podium, My goal is to make the podium at every race, so my did that today."

Second overall was Jeffrey Herlings, who again looked strong with his 3-1 results, and he also extended his championship points lead over Antonio Cairoli to 23 points. The defending world MXGP champion (Cairoli) scored 2-5 results in Russia and was third overall.

In the second MXGP moto, Herlings took a big holeshot from Desalle, Gajser, Cairoli, Seewer, Coldenhoff, Nagl, Lieber, and Monticelli.

While Herlings continued to lead, Desalle remained close and after two laps it was Herlings, Desalle, Gajser, Cairoli, Febvre, Paulin, Coldenhoff, Seewer, Nagl and Lupino. Desalle all over Herlings and looking like the tough Belgium from a few years ago.

Not a lot happening, as after eight laps Herlings lead was four seconds over Desalle, with Gajser a further two seconds back, then came Cairoli, Febvre, Paulin, Seewer, Lieber, Coldenhoff, and Nagl.

Cairoli goes down and Febvre moved past, and the Italian continues to struggle in this moto. After 12 laps it was Herlings with a three second lead, then came Desalle, Gajser, Febvre, Cairoli, Paulin, Lieber, Coldenhoff, Seewer, and Nagl 10^th.

Herlings won the moto, and Desalle, who finished second in the moto won the GP overall. Febvre finished third in the moto.     

Ray Archer image