Herlings DNF...Coenen Tops Germany

Red Bull KTM factory rider, Lucas Coenen has taken a huge stand in the MXGP championship race, with the Belgian teenager scoring the race win, but also gaining a large points advantage over Jeffrey Herlings, who DNFed the opening race, in what looked like a technical issue. Going into the race, the points gap was three points, but now it’s 28 points.

Monster Energy Yamaha rider Tim Gajser finished second, having ridden in that position for nearly the complete moto, and third was HRC factory rider, Ruben Fernandez. Championship points are now Lucas Coenen 319 points, Jeffrey Herlings 291pts, Tim Gajser 254pts, Romain Febvre 245pts and Maxime Renaux 236pts.

Lucas Coenen: I mean, the track is so tricky, like Enduro and you cannot push. I haven’t raced something like this, but I stayed cool and the start was tricky with the mud. We try and do the same start as the first and enjoy it.

MXGP Moto One

Coenen with the holeshot ahead of Fernandez, Gajser, Adamo, Forato, Febvre, Ludwig, Vlaanderen, Jonass, Renaux and Herlings in 15th. Gajser quickly into second place as he passed Fernandez. Herlings quickly into ninth place. Vialle not starting due to his injuries from last week.

Coenen led with Gajser trying to stay with him and then came Fernandez, Adamo, Febvre, Renaux, Jonass, Herlings and de Wolf 10th. Coenen really pushing as he gets away from Gajser and the gap was already two seconds.

Renaux wild as he made a pass on Forato and Herlings doing his best to get past Jonass, but that allowed De Wolf to pass Herlings, who dropped to 10th. The Dutchman 14 seconds of the lead of Coenen. Herlings finally moved past Jonass and into ninth again, but already 16 seconds off Coenen’s lead.

Gajser not allowing Coenen to get too far ahead and Fernandez also not allowing Gajser to get away. Herlings now 19 seconds off the leader. De Wolf off the track, but not losing positions, but time on Forato. Adamo into third place as Fernandez maybe made a mistake.

Adamo then made a mistake and dropped well back as Fernandez wiped the Italian out and causing the former world MX2 champion to lose a lot of positions. That allowed Herlings into 8th place, but 19 seconds off the lead of Coenen.

On lap five it was Coenen, Gajser, Fernandez, Febvre, Renaux, Forato, de Wolf, Herlings, Adamo and Jonass 10th. Coenen the fastest lap of the moto, but his lead still under two seconds over Gajser, with Fernandez 10 seconds off Coenen.

Lap seven the lead by Coenen over Gajser was 2.3 seconds, with Fernandez 12.4 back, then Febvre, Renaux, Forato, de Wolf, Herlings, Adamo and Jonass. Adamo passed Herlings, who is really struggling today and actually the Dutchman dropped down the results.

Herlings out of the race and the championship in favour of Coenen in a huge moto for the title race. Top ten on lap eight was Coenen, Gajser, Fernandez, Febvre, Renaux, de Wolf, Forato, Adamo, Jonass and Vlaanderen.

Lap 11 and the lead by Coenen over Gajser was three seconds, with Fernandez 16 seconds back in third, then Febvre, Renaux, de Wolf, Forato, Adamo, Jonass and Vlaanderen. Lap 13 and the gap between Coenen and Gajser was 7.2 seconds, with Febvre all over Fernandez for third place and Renaux onto Febvre as well.

Gajser stalled the bike, but didn’t lose a position, but lost a lot of ground in Coenen. Riding lining up behind Fernandez with de Wolf also closing up on the Spaniard. A freight train of riders looking to pass Fernandez.

Febvre crashed and lost places as Renaux and de Wolf. Top ten on lap 14 was Coenen, Gajser, Fernandez, Renaux, De Wolf, Forato, Jonass, Van Doninck, Van De Moosdijk, Horgmo, Koch, Oliver and Febvre way, way, way back. De Wolf a crash and lost time on Renaux, who he was battling for fourth place. Coenen wins it from Gajser and Fernandez.