Motocross

Herlings and Lawrence win at Lacapelle-Marival

Posted:

Monday, February 19th, 2018

8:47 AM

Red Bul KTM Racing's Jeffrey Herlings took his speed and form from the Hawkstone Park International in the UK last week down to the south of France and to Lacapelle-Marival where he again faced a host of MXGP peers and rivals also in the final shakedown stages towards the opening Grand Prix of 2018

Herlings topped the time sheets and classifications all day (Free & Timed Practice, both MX1 motos and the Superfinal) while

‰ÛÏA great weekend: I felt good on the bike and on the track and there was a lot of riding today," Herlings said. "I missed my start in the Superfinal but worked my way up from fifth place and felt really comfortable. The bike is awesome at the moment, so I have to give-it-up to Red Bull KTM. The whole team is working hard and I really appreciate that and what they have done for me. I cannot wait for the season to start.‰Û

Jeffrey Herlings,(84) is in good form heading into the MXGP season opener in three weeks.

Clement Desalle finished second with Max Anstie third.

Anstie delivered strong moto performances in each of the three motos contested. Kicking off the day with fourth in the opening MX1 moto, the Brit improved to third in moto two. Claiming third overall in the elite MX1 category, Anstie went on to wrap up the day with a solid runner-up result in the combined MX1/MX2 Superfinal.

"We had a solid day of racing here in France. It was also good training in muddy conditions for the coming MXGP season. I had three strong motos and I‰Ûªm happy with my performance overall. In the opening moto I had a bad start, but battled my way up to fourth place at the chequered flag. Then in moto two my start was not good either. I did my best again and battled my way to third. The combined MX1 and MX2 Supefinal was possibly my best moto for the day. I got the holeshot and had a great battle with the final winner Herlings to end up second. It‰Ûªs been a good day and I‰Ûªm looking forward to the start of the World Championship in Argentina.‰Û

Max Anstie was third in the MX1 class.

In the MX2 class Australian Hunter Lawrence took the win in the MX2 class. Fresh from victory Italy, Lawrence was second in the opening moto before taking a gate to flag win in the second. Thomas Kjer Olsen finishing second ahead of another Australian in Jed Beaton.

‰ÛÏIt was a good last test today and I‰Ûªm happy with second overall," Kjer-Olsen said, "Conditions were tricky today so it was crucial to avoid mistakes. In the opening moto I didn‰Ûªt manage to get the desired feeling in the mud. My start was good but then I had two small crashes that didn‰Ûªt let me battle for the top three. I had a much better start in moto two and managed to secure second. With the team we made some suspension adjustments during the break and that worked to our favour. In the Superfinal my start was not great so I did my best and ended up eighth. We‰Ûªve worked really hard during the off-season and now I feel 100% ready for the start of the World Championship in two weeks time in Argentina.‰Û