Herlings wins with 1-1

French GP

Jeffrey Herlings of the Red Bull KTM Factory team has again shown his class, going 1-1 and winning his 75^th GP victory (and 14th in MXGP) at the Grand Prix of France. The Dutchman once again just played with Antonio Cairoli, and on a track that should have suited the Italian. 

Tim Gasjer was third overall and continued his great return to form.

In the second MXGP moto, it was Cairoli took the holeshot and Herlings around 8^th. Desalle down and also Searle, and Herlings into fifth place and all over Paulin.

Herlings went past Paulin going into the second lap, and onto Seewer. After a lap it was Cairoli, Gajser, Seewer, Herlings, Paulin, Febvre, Paturel, Bobryshev, Monticelli, and Coldenhoff. Simpson 14^th, Anstie 18^th, and the Brits struggling again.

Cairoli held three seconds over Gajser, with Herlings seven seconds back in third now. Then came Seewer, Paulin, Febvre, Paturel, Bobryshev, Monticelli and Coldenhoff.

Cairoli extended to eight seconds over Herlings and Seewer and Paulin in great battle for fourth place.

Febvre moved past Seewer and into fifth and going after his countryman Paulin. Cairoli now four seconds ahead of Gajser and nine ahead of Herlings.

On lap seven the lead went to five seconds and Herlings clocks a quick lap and closing on Gajser. Top ten after seven laps was Cairoli, Gajser, Herlings, Paulin, Febvre, Monticelli, Seewer, Desalle, Paturel and Bobryshev.

Herlings cuts the lead on Cairoli to seven seconds and was onto Gajser for second place. The kids coming again for the leader. Fastest lap of the race to Herlings.

Herlings all over Gajser and all over the place looking for a way to pass and into second place and going after Cairoli. Once past Gajser the Dutchman just pulled well away.

After 11 laps the lead was five seconds to Herlings, then Gajser a further  12 seconds back, Herlings making his move again on the Italian. Febvre and Paulin in a great battle as the former world champion moved into fourth place.

Suddenly Herlings was all over Cairoli for the lead and pushing the defending world champion. Desalle all over Seewer for sixth place.

Herlings just rides past Cairoli like he was standing still and walked away from him. No competition for the Dutchman, none at all. Desalle tried again to pass Seewer, but the Swiss rider doing well, although the Belgian finally went past.

After 15 laps the lead was suddenly three seconds by Herlings and Gajser in third 25 seconds back. Then came Febvre, Paulin, Desalle, Seewer, Coldenhoff, Bobryshev and Monticelli.

Herlings nine seconds ahead on lap 17 that was a six second gap from two laps prior, so three seconds a lap quicker than Cairoli as the race closed down.

Herlings wins the moto and the GP overall. Cairoli second and

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 – Classification

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 34:38.032; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:08.838; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:40.401; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:49.798; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:52.800; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:55.315; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:56.529; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:56.531; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Suzuki), +1:16.573; 10. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, Yamaha), +1:17.441; 11. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:18.040; 12. Maximilian Nagl (GER, TM), +1:24.213;