Fullnoise Logo
Fullnoise Logo

Motocross

Cairoli continues to increase his World Championship points lead in Belgium

Searle and Herlings split race wins and points in MX2

Author: Aaryn Minerds

Posted:

Riders were treated to outstanding conditions in Bastogne for round eight of the FIM World Motocross championship in front of more than 18000 people. as Antonio Cairoli and Tommy Searle race to victory at the GP of Belgium over the weekend.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing‰Ûªs Antonio Cairoli won both heats of the Belgian Grand Prix, earning his fourth MX1 GP win of the season.

In the first moto Cairoli got off to a good start and pushed hard to open the gap from the field right from the beginning winning the moto comfortably.

In the second moto, the Italian full of confidence, made his way up to the lead group of riders by lap eight after a less than perfect start. It was not long until he had the race lead which he kept until the chequered flag.

‰ÛÏOn Saturday the track was not so good because of the rain but this morning it was nice and there was a lot of grip." stated Cairoli. "We had many different lines for both races and in the first I managed to pull away and control the race."

"My start in the second was not so good but I wanted to win here so I just put my head down and did my best to make it happen.‰Û
Clemente Desalle did not quite have enough for Cairoli at the Belgium GP - Credit: Suzuki Racing
Finishing on the second step of the podium was Clement Desalle after racing to third in both motos. In the first race the Belgian rider had a small crash and lost some seconds, but he was able to regroup and managed to finish the moto in third.

In the second heat the Rockstar Energy Suzuki World rider led the race during four laps, but he could not keep his rhythm going.

Desalle was a bit disappointed for not having been able to win the overall victory in front of his enthusiastic home crowd at Bastogne, but in the end he admitted that he felt really satisfied for having raced on his home soil with so much support from the crowd.

"I always try to win the Grand Prix so for that I'm a little disappointed but it was good to get a result at this place." Desalle commented. "The crowd was great to me and I don't think I have ever felt such strong support."

"Antonio was just a bit too fast for us today but I tried my best." the home town rider added.

"I have to say big congratulations to the organisers because they had bad luck with the weather but they did great work on the track and there were more places for overtaking and some nice lines." concluded Desalle.
Pourcel lost more ground in the championship race over the weekend. - Credit: Kawasaki Racing
CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit‰Ûªs Christophe Pourcel completed the podium after finishing fifth and second in the two motos. The first moto was tough for the French rider after a bad start to the race left him struggling to overtake the riders in front of him.

Pourcel rider took the holeshot in the second race, but he had to settle down with third position, which was enough to see him land on the podium.

‰ÛÏI didn‰Ûªt choose the best position on the grid in the first race, and my start was not so good" lamented Pourcel "I came back to fourth, but lost time when I crashed as a lapper destroyed a rut just when I was coming"

"I got the holeshot in the second race and battled first with Bobryshev and later with Desalle, we passed each other several times, but it was costing all of us time and allowed Cairoli to catch us." explained the Frenchman.

"I got another podium and that‰Ûªs important for the series.‰Û
Paulin's first moto cost him a much better overall result - Credit: Kawasaki Racing
Completing the top five was Kawasaki Racing Team‰Ûªs Gautier Paulin, who managed to finish second in the first moto. However the French rider had difficulties in the first race, crashing at the beginning, leaving him to race the whole moto with plastic stuck in his rear wheel.

‰ÛÏI had a good feeling in the first race, and when I was second I controlled my race and was able to increase my pace when Desalle came to third, my last lap was my fastest of the race." stated Paulin.

"My second start was not so good, and then I made a couple of mistakes and crashed, I didn't feel so comfortable so I didn‰Ûªt want to take any risks.‰Û
Tommy Searle celebrates victory in Belgium - Credit: Kawasaki Racing
MX2
Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit‰Ûªs Tommy Searle achieved his main goal this weekend, finishing on the first step of the podium thanks to his 2-1 result.

In the first race he got off to a good start, before making a mistake in the opening lap, with Jeffery Herlings was able to capatalize and open up a gap. Searle then started to find some good lines and was able to catch the Dutch rider, but another mistake forced Searle to settle for second place.

The second race was perfect from beginning to end for the British rider, with Searle battling race long with Herlings, and proving that he has the potential to beat him.

"My Kawasaki got me out of the gate first in both motos today and that is really important in my battles with Herlings." stated Searle. "I was a little too cautious on the first lap of the first race but the track was really tricky and I didn't want to take any risks."

"I knew I was the fastest and I soon caught him up again, but we were both using the same lines so I had to search for new ones but they were not so good, I nearly crashed and lost a lot of time, but I knew I could still win the GP on the second moto." he continued.

"The track was better in the second race and I just concentrated on keeping him off my rear wheel.

"The points gap is still 24 points, but we are only halfway through the series and I have again proved that I am the fastest." concluded Searle.
Herlings may have finished second overall but he lost not championship points to Searle - Credit: Ray Archer (KTM)
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing‰Ûªs Herlings finished second, with his 1-2 result meaning he did not lose any of his 24 championship point lead to Searle. The current leader of the series was satisfied with his performance this weekend, but is more focused on the up coming races on tracks that he feels are more suited to his riding style.

"Today in the second race I just couldn‰Ûªt stay with Tommy and I couldn‰Ûªt find my rhythm." stated Herlings Tracks like this are my weak points but I am very confident about the ones coming up."

"I know the tracks coming up suit me better. There is Sweden and Latvia and Lierop and it will be sandy in Russia so four of the eight tracks coming up will be good for me." he added.

Third on the podium was Herlings teammate Jeremy Van Horebeek thanks to his consistent performance in today‰Ûªs races, finishing third in both of them.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider admitted that the track was too fast for him and this is why he could not catch the leaders, but he feels really comfortable with himself and he is convinced that his moment will come sooner or later.

‰ÛÏI felt good all weekend, the bike was good and I am consistent,‰Û
Roelants finished 4th at his home GP - Credit: Kawasaki Racing
Joel Roelants was fourth overall in his home Grand Prix thanks to his 4-5 result. The Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit rider is feeling much better now and a proof of that is that even starting around tenth position in both motos, he is able to find a good rhythm and chase down the front group of riders.

Monster Energy Yamaha‰Ûªs Arnaud Tonus obtained his best result of the season finishing fifth overall on his 21st birthday, finishing ahead of Jordi Tixier who rounded out the top five in the MX2 class.

GP of Belgium results:

MX1 Race 1 top ten:
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40:20.568
2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:02.127
3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:04.944
4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:31.016
5. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:36.324
6. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:37.570
7. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:43.854
8. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:50.218
9. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +0:51.123
10. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:53.502

MX1 Race 2 top ten:
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40:19.194
2. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:04.597
3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:09.786
4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:10.625
5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:36.754
6. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:42.862
7. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +0:44.952
8. Davide Guarneri (ITA, KTM), +0:52.345
9. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:53.004
10. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:55.722
MX1 Podium - Credit: Ray Archer (KTM)
MX1 Overall top ten:
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 50 points
2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 40 points
3. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 38 points
4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 36 points
5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 34 points
6. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 26 points
7. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 26 points
8. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 26 points
9. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 23 points
10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 22 points

MX1 Championship top ten:
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 345 points
2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 298 points
3. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 292 points
4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 289 points
5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 237 points
6. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 212 points
7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 211 points
8. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 207 points
9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 169 points
10. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 168 points

MX2 Race 1 top ten:
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 39:30.417
2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:11.415
3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:16.442
4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:20.759
5. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:05.664
6. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +1:10.608
7. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +1:21.703
8. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:25.784
9. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), +1:33.831
10. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), +1:42.311

MX2 Race 2 top ten:
1. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 39:20.529
2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:13.020
3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:44.315
4. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:50.890
5. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:51.762
6. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +1:21.534
7. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:28.099
8. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:41.428
9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), +1:45.612
10. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:46.020
MX2 Podium - Credit: Ray Archer (KTM)
MX2 Overall top ten:
1. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 47 points
2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 47 points
3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 40 points
4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 34 points
5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), 32 points
6. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 30 points
7. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 29 points
8. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 24 points
9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), 23 points
10. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), 21 points

MX2 Championship top ten:
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 364 points
2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 340 points
3. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 308 points
4. Joel Roelants (BEL, Kawasaki), 238 points
5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 217 points
6. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 204 points
7. Max Anstie (GBR, Honda), 191 points
8. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Husqvarna), 152 points
9. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 150 points
10. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), 139 points

Complete results available at www.motocrossmx1.com/reslists.aspx

Top Image: Cairoli on his way to extending his championship points lead in Belgium
Credit: Ray Archer (KTM)
Cairoli having some fun with the crowd - Credit: Ray Archer (KTM)

Share Article:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Tumblr
Pinterest
Reddit
Email
Print

More News: Latest Headlines

More News: Latest Headlines

Photo of Brodie Connolly at round 11 of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championsip at Unadilla, New York.

AMA Pro Motocross

Brodie Connolly and Alex Larwood Shine as Quad Lock Honda Delivers at Unadilla
Photo of Jed Beaton at round 11 of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championsip at Unadilla, New York.

AMA Pro Motocross

Jed Beaton Cracks AMA Top 10 on US Debut

Flat Track

Dunker, Whale and Wicks Set for AFTN Showdown at Diamond Park Double-Header
Photo of Malcolm Stewart at round 11 of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championsip at Unadilla, New York.

AMA Pro Motocross

Malcolm Stewart Returns to Pro Motocross With Positive Unadilla Comeback
Photo of Lachlan Turner at round 4 of the AMA WMX Motocros Championship at Unadilla.

WMX

Lachlan Turner Extends WMX Championship Lead With Unadilla Sweep
Photo of motocross rider Jeffrey Herlings at the 2026 MXGP Of Sweden at Uddevalla at the Glimminge Motorstadion circuit

MXGP

Jeffrey Herlings Extends Winning Streak as Sacha Coenen Returns to the Top at MXGP of Sweden
Photo of Hunter Lawrence at round 11 of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championsip at Unadilla, New York.

MXGP

Jett Lawrence Reclaims 450 Points Lead as Cole Davies Closes In On 250 Lead at Unadilla
Photo of motocross rider Jeffrey Herlings at the 2026 MXGP Of Sweden at Uddevalla at the Glimminge Motorstadion circuit: Start

MXGP

Jeffrey Herlings and Simon Langenfelder Take Saturday Honours At MXGP of Sweden

MXGP

Lucas Coenen Ruled Out of Sweden as MXGP Championship Hopes Fade
Jorge Prado at the opening round of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championships at Anaheim, CA.

AMA Supercross

Jorge Prado Extends KTM Deal Through 2027 SMX Season
Photo of MXGP rider Guillem Farres

MXGP

Guillem Farres Commits to Triumph as Factory Team Prepares for MXGP Debut in 2027
Photo of Kyron Bacon at the final round of the 2026 FIM Enduro World Championship in Wales.

Enduro

Kyron Bacon Finishes Rookie EnduroGP E2 Campaign on a High in Wales

What's On This Week

AMA National Hard Enduro Championship - R9
Sequatchie, TN
Sunday, August 23rd, 2026
AMA Pro Motocross Championship - R10
Mechanicsville, MD - Budds Creek
Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
MXGP Motocross World Championship - R17
MXGP of Netherlands - Arnhem
Sunday, August 23rd, 2026
Progressive American Flat Track - R14
Peoria, IL
Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
AMA WMX Championship - Round 5
Budds Creek Raceway - Mechanicsville, MD
Monday, August 24th, 2026

Featured:

Blue is Best, But is Better Again in 2027: Yamaha YZ250F First Ride

More Power for the Yamaha WR250F: Two Simple Upgrades That Wake Up the Bike

WR250F Setup Guide Part 3: Why Protection Parts Matter More Than Performance

WR250F Setup Guide Part 2: The Comfort Changes That Make a Bike Feel Like Home

WR250F Setup Guide Part 1: The Free Changes Every Rider Should Make

2026 Yamaha WR250F First Look: We’ve Gone Blue!

More Features

What's On This Week

AMA National Hard Enduro Championship - R9
Sequatchie, TN
Sunday, August 23rd, 2026
AMA Pro Motocross Championship - R10
Mechanicsville, MD - Budds Creek
Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
MXGP Motocross World Championship - R17
MXGP of Netherlands - Arnhem
Sunday, August 23rd, 2026
Progressive American Flat Track - R14
Peoria, IL
Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
AMA WMX Championship - Round 5
Budds Creek Raceway - Mechanicsville, MD
Monday, August 24th, 2026