HRC rider Tim Gajser won a sensational opening MXGP moto in Portugal as the former champion put together his quickest lap of the race on the final lap, just beating Antonio Cairoli by half a second. Third was Arnaud Tonus.
“It was an amazing race. I was second and following Tony and trying to find nice lines and he made a mistake and I passed him and then we both pushed really hard. I am looking forward to the second one.”
Cairoli led from Gajser, Tonus, Desalle, Lupino, Lieber, Searle, Paulin, Jonass and Seewer 10th. Van Horebeek and Anstie both well back at the back of the pack. Paulin also down and in last position.
Jonass a nice move as he passed Lupino, and Febvre and Coldenhoff move into the top ten. Gajser not letting Cairoli get too far away early on. Lupino dropped to 10th place as Coldenhoff went 8th and Febvre 9th.
After a lap it was Cairoli, Gajser, Seewer and Tonus up front. Van Horebeek and Anstie both flying as they moved into 15th and 18th respectively. Seewer nearly down as he is pushing really hard behind Gajser.
After four laps the lead was a second with Cairoli just ahead of Gajser, then Seewer third a couple of seconds further back, followed by Tonus, Lieber, Desalle, Jonass, Febvre, Coldenhoff and Lupino 10th.
Jasikonis went past Leok and moved up on Searle for 13th place. Simpson just ahead of them in 12th place. Van Horebeek also past Leok for 15th place.
10 laps in and the lead was still just a second, and not a lot happening with Gajser second, Tonus third, then Seewer, Lieber, Desalle, Jonass, Febvre, Coldenhoff, and Lupino.
Gajser into the lead on lap 12 as Cairoli stalled his bike and the HRC rider moved past. Cairoli though will never give up and this race looked like it would go down to the wire.
Gajser and Cairoli both battling hard for the lead and with three laps remaining it was anyones race. Tonus just five second back in third and also riding well. The remaining top ten was Seewer, Lieber, Desalle, Jonass, Coldenhoff, Febvre and Lupino.
Last lap and the two leaders came across lappers and Gajser maybe got the upper hand due to the slower riders. Both right on the limit as they push for the win. Cairoli went for an inside pass but didn’t get it, then tried the outside. Cairoli made a mistake and the win went to Gajser.