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Motocross

Antonio Cairoli and Max Anstie Weather Lommel Storm

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Just when you thought the championship couldn‰Ûªt get any crazier. It did. Rubber stamping the fact that in motocross anything can happen at tge MXGP of Belgium, round fifteen of the FIM Motocross World Championship in the fathomless sand of Lommel.

The end result was a perfect storm for BikeIT Yamaha Cosworth‰Ûªs MX2 star Max Anstie as he claimed his first ever MX2 race and Grand Prix victory, and an actual storm for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing‰Ûªs Antonio Cairoli as he pressed on, despite the ominous dark clouds morphing into a full blown thunderstorm which drenched the circuit half way through the final race of the day, for his ninth round victory of the year.

Recognized for his unique technique and mastered sandcraft, all bets were on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing‰Ûªs Antonio Cairoli today, which turned out to be as safe as expected.
Antonio Cairoli claimed his 72nd MXGP win in Lommel - Credit: Ray Archer
Although the Italian said the track was a lot choppier and less rollier than normal, it didn‰Ûªt slow him down any as he eased his way to his sixth double victory of the season.

‰ÛÏI want to say it‰Ûªs nice to win my 72nd Grand Prix in the land of the best rider, number 72 Stefan Everts‰Û
Ken De Dycker made it a 1-2 result for KTM - Credit: Ray Archer
Meanwhile it was expected to see Hitachi Construction Machinery UK KTM‰Ûªs Shaun Simpson on the box as he‰Ûªs proven to be quite the sand specialist over the years. Today Simpson threw together a 3 ‰ÛÒ 3 result for third overall but also made himself one of the most talked about as he was one of only a few riders to consistently jump the quad into the rhythm section.

‰ÛÏIt was nice to show today that Lierop last year wasn‰Ûªt a fluke and I can ride the sand well, and it was nice in the second race to follow Tony for a few laps because he is riding great in the sand every time.‰Û
Max Anstie broke through for the MX2 win at Lommel - - Credit: MXGP
Everything that could go wrong in one season has for BikeIT Yamaha Cosworth‰Ûªs Max Anstie as he has been up against the eight ball all season long as his team continues to develop his bike.

Heading into every race the question that surrounds Max is never over his ability, but rather his bike and will it last entire duration of a race.

While it was a little touch‰Ûªn‰Ûªgo in both moto‰Ûªs with the Brit not going out for either sighting laps due to problems with the bike, it miraculously fired up at the last minute on both occasions and withstood the demands of what is known as the toughest track in the world, rewarding him with his first ever MX2 race and Grand Prix win.

‰ÛÏBefore the second race I was thinking this is what I live for right here, I was nervous but we got it done." Anstie said. "It was a very difficult race; this track is obviously the most difficult, for the bike and physically. But we did it and I am over the moon!‰Û
Jordi Tixier continues to close in on Jeffrey Herlings MX2 points lead - Credit: Ray Archer
Again plaudits to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing‰Ûªs Jordi Tixier who once again stepped up to the plate. Despite not being one of the favorites to win in the sand, Tixier silenced his critics for the second Grand Prix in a row with a convincing victory in race two which he added to his third from race one for second overall.

‰ÛÏThis Grand Prix was really good for me, already yesterday I had a really good feeling on the track so it was good for me.‰Û
MX1 Podium - Credit: Ray Archer
MXGP Overall Round Top Ten:
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 50 points
2. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 40 points
3. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 40 points
4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, KAW), 40 points
5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 29 points
6. Marc de Reuver (NED, HON), 27 points
7. Dean Ferris (AUS, HUS), 26 points
8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 26 points
9. Tyla Rattray (RSA, HUS), 24 points
10. Steven Frossard (FRA, KAW), 23 points
Antonio Cairoli should wrap up the 2014 MXGP title at round 16 - Credit: Ray Archer
MXGP World Championship Classification Top Ten:
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 669 points
2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 588 points
3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 498 points
4. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 484 points
5. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 365 points
6. Steven Frossard (FRA, KAW), 356 points
7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HON), 307 points
8. Gautier Paulin (FRA, KAW), 275 points
9. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), 245 points
10. David Philippaerts (ITA, YAM), 234 points
MX2 podium - Credit: Ray Archer
MX2 Overall Round Top Ten:
1. Max Anstie (GBR, YAM), 47 points
2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 45 points
3. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 42 points
4. Romain Febvre (FRA, HUS), 36 points
5. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 28 points
6. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 28 points
7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, SUZ), 26 points
8. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 25 points
9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 25 points
10. Petar Petrov (BUL, YAM), 22 points
Jeffrey Herlings still holds the MX2 championship lead despite missing the past two round - Credit: Ray Archer
MX2 World Championship Classification Top Ten:
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 594 points
2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 537 points
3. Romain Febvre (FRA, HUS), 489 points
4. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 467 points
5. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 448 points
6. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, KAW), 389 points
7. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 379 points
8. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 363 points
9. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 337 points
10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, SUZ), 301 points

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