Ryan Nitzen | November 7, 2021
The penultimate round of the MXGP World Championship took place this Sunday at the MXGP of Lombardia. The MX2 championship was already decided one week prior but that didn’t stop the 250 riders from duking it out for overall points. The MXGP class was still anyone’s race as the top three contenders entered Sunday’s race just three points apart.
MXGP holeshot. Photos: Ray Archer
All eyes were on the MXGP class. The championship was still up for grabs with only three points separating the top three riders, Romain Febvre (Kawasaki), Tim Gajser (Honda), and Jeffery Herlings (KTM). After the transparent team tactics from KTM, Honda HRC enlisted MX2 rider Ruben Fernandez as a buffer for their contender Tim Gajser.
Last week’s winner, Jeremy Seewer (Yamaha), rocketed off to another great start in race one. Febvre, Gajser, and Herlings followed in close pursuit but the Honda rider was forced off the track just before turn two. Gajser slowed and safely re-entered the track in the next section but was ultimately docked for his off-track excursion. Points leader Febvre quickly took over the lead with Seewer and Herlings hot on his tail. The Bullet made his way into second but crashed just a few turns later and collected Seewer in the process. Herlings needed to regroup and fight his way through the field while his title rivals squirted away.
Febvre won race one, but finished second overall.
Febvre continued to lead as Gajser moved past Cairoli (KTM) and into the second position. Herlings battled with the new HRC recruit of Fernandez before closing in on Cairoli and Gajser on the final two laps. The Dutchman used his sand expertise to slice past both riders on the last lap but came up just 1.1 seconds short of the race win. Febvre claimed the victory, Herlings second, and Cairoli rounded out the podium. Gajser crossed the line in third but was penalized five positions for his first turn incident. He was credited with eighth.
An incident in race one caused Gajser to be docked five positions, going 8-3 for fourth. Photo: @ShotByBavo
KTM’s Jorge Prado grabbed the holeshot in race two but quickly surrendered the lead to teammate Jeffery Herlings in turn four. Febvre started in third position and battled with Prado while Herlings extended his lead. Gajser rode in fifth but eventually passed both KTMs of Cairoli and Prado before finishing third. A 2-1 for Herlings was enough for the overall win, beating Febvre’s 1-2 and Cairoli’s 3-4. Gajser went 8-3 for fourth on the day. Febvre still controls the championship, now three over Herlings and 15 over Gajser with just one round remaining. The series will conclude with a final race on Wednesday.
Close racing all day in the MXGP class.
“I knew I had to win the second moto,” said Herlings. “I had my work cut out in the first moto and came up to 2nd even though the seat on my bike was loose. In the second one I passed Jorge and Romain and made a little gap. I did all I could and now it’s down to three points. It’s going to be really interesting. Every point counts right now.”
MXGP podium: Herlings first, Febvre second, Cairoli third.
Results MXGP
| 1. |
Jeffery Herlings |
KTM |
| 2. |
Romain Febvre |
KAW |
| 3, |
Anotnio Cairoli |
KTM |
| 4. |
Tim Gajser |
HON |
| 5. |
Jeremy Seewer |
YAM |
| 6. |
Ruben Fernandez |
HON |
| 7. |
Jorge Prado |
KTM |
| 8. |
Thomas Kjer Olsen |
HUS |
| 9. |
Alessandro Lupino |
KTM |
| 10. |
Brian Bogers |
GAS |
MX2
All of the MX2 heavyweights started up front in race one with Tom Vialle (KTM) grabbing the holeshot over Rene Hofer (KTM) and newly crowned champ Maxime Renaux (Yamaha). Hofer quickly moved into the lead before giving it up to Renaux on the opening lap. Renaux, sporting his gold number plate, took over first and never looked back. Hofer ran second for the opening half but fell later on and settled for sixth. Jago Geerts (Yamaha) and Tom Vialle moved their way up before finishing second and third respectively.
MX2 start.
Race two had a similar look to the first with Vialle, Hofer, and Geerts all starting up front. At the end of lap one, Geerts and Hofer tangled and sent the KTM rider to the ground. Geerts stayed up on his wheels and advanced to second place while Vialle held control of the lead. Renaux was the man on the move, making his way through the pack after a poor start. He passed into third by lap three. Geerts and Vialle were still tussling for second in the overall points and found themselves together at the front of race two. Jago Geerts passed for the lead and teammate Renaux quickly followed suit, moving Vialle to third before losing one more spot to Jed Beaton (Husqvarna).
Renaux and his new gold plate finished on top in race one. Photo: Yamaha
Geerts’ 2-1 earned him the overall for the day ahead of Renaux’s 1-2 and Vialle’s 3-4. Vialle still holds second place in the championship standing, just seven ahead of Geerts in third.
Geerts’ 2-1 earned him the overall. Photo: Yamaha
“I knew my speed was good already,” said Geerts. “I was there over the last few rounds but couldn’t quite make it happen. Today, I managed to do it. I am really happy to be back on the top step. It’s really important for the championship because I am in the fight for second place in the championship.”
MX2 podium: Geerts, Renaux, Vialle. Photo: Ray Archer
Results MX2
| 1. |
Jago Geerts |
YAM |
| 2. |
Maxime Renaux |
YAM |
| 3, |
Tom Vialle |
KTM |
| 4. |
Jed Beaton |
HUS |
| 5. |
Kay De Wolf |
HUS |
| 6. |
Isak Gifting |
GAS |
| 7. |
Rene Hofer |
KTM |
| 8. |
Mattia Guadagnini |
KTM |
| 9. |
Simon Laengenfelder |
GAS |
| 10. |
Mikkel Haarup |
KAW |
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