Cycle News Staff | June 28, 2022
The FIM MXGP World Championship took place at an all-new venue, the Samota Rocket Motor Circuit in Samota-Sumbawa, Indonesia for the Indonesian Grand Prix, round 12 of the series, June 26. The track was purpose-built for this race and while the starting gates were sparse, with 20 MXGP riders and only 14 lining up for the MX2 class, the venue itself saw a healthy turnout of fans at the island event. KTM’s Tom Vialle and Honda’s Tim Gajser both swept the day with perfect 1-1 finishes.
MXGP
Only the strongest MXGP riders made an appearance at the MXGP of Indonesia as costs and logistics played a part in rider attendance. Some riders even battled food poisoning prior to the event, but toughed it out in order to race. Moto one saw Tim Gajser holeshot and quickly escape from the rest of the field. The points leader was practically untouchable for the entire first race as he went on to victory. Despite battles throughout the pack, Jorge Prado and Ruben Fernandez held on for second and third.
Tim Gajser rode to a perfect 1-1 day in Indonesia. Photo: @ShotByBavo
Prado looked to bounce back in race two and grabbed the early lead over Romain Febvre and Gajser. Prado held the lead for the first few laps before Gajser struck with a bold pass around the outside of an elevated turn. Gajser controlled the race from here on out and went on to claim the overall with perfect 1-1 finishes. Prado and Febvre duked it out for much of the race but the GasGas rider held on for second. Fernandez came home fourth but his 3-4 scores edged Febvre for the overall podium, his second of the year. Gajser continues to hold the points lead over Prado who is now second, Jeremey Seewer is third.
MX2
After his mechanical debacle in Germany, Tom Vialle came to Indonesia second in points but looking to regain the championship lead over Jago Geerts. Vialle took control early on as he holeshotted MX2 race one and broke away with the lead. Geerts started a bit further back but quickly moved his way to second. He didn’t have enough to catch Vialle, though, and the running order finished with Vialle in front, Geerts second, and Simon Laengenfelder in third.
Tom Vialle (28) started up front in each race and ultimately finished first overall. Photo: Ray Archer
Laengenfelder grabbed the start in race two but Vialle found his way to the lead after just two turns. Trouble struck for Geerts early on lap one as he tangled and crashed with Kevin Horgmo. Geerts remounted but fell another two times during the race before finishing fifth. Up front, Vialle made a huge mistake, which he saved, but allowed Laengenfelder to take the lead for a few laps. Laengenfelder then fell on a steep downhill, putting Vialle back into the top spot. Vialle went on to take the race win and the overall, Laengenfelder finished second, and Thibault Benistant rounded out the podium with a third in race two. With his win, Vialle reclaimed the points lead to four points over Geerts. CN
MX2 podium. With his win, Vialle reclaims the points lead over Jago Geerts. Photo: Ray Archer
OVERALL RESULTS
MXGP
- Tim Gajser (Hon) 1-1
- Jorge Prado (GG) 2-2
- Ruben Fernandez (Hon) 3-4
- Romain Febvre (Kaw) 5-3
- Glenn Coldenhoff (Yam) 4-6
MX2
- Tom Vialle (KTM) 1-1
- Simon Laengenfelder (GG) 3-2
- Thibault Benistant (Yam) 4-3
- Jago Geerts (Yam)2-5
- Andrea Adamo (GG) 7-4
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