Bikesportnz

The world famous Czech Republic circuit of Loket hosted round 13 of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship at the weekend, with Frenchman Romain Febvre dominating the MXGP class.

It was the first GP win for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Febvre’s since St. Jean d’Angely in 2016.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado took again the occasion to show his dominance in MX2 in front of thousands of amazed Czech fans.

At the gate drop of MXGP race one, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer took the holeshot ahead of his team-mate Romain Febvre and Team HRC Honda’s Tim Gajser, but Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP rider Gautier Paulin pushed the Honda rider to the side and moved into third place. Gajser moved back past Paulin to get back into third place, and behind him came Paulin and Team HRC Honda’s Brian Bogers.

French rider Febvre made gains with a pass on Seewer for first place at the opening lap. After three laps Febvre held just over a second to Seewer, followed by Gajser, Paulin and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Arminas Jasikonis, who moved past Bogers for fifth. A lot happening mid pack as Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass was all over Bogers for sixth place while Jasikonis was doing the same to Paulin for fourth position.

After eight laps it was still Febvre leading with around four seconds between himself and Seewer, with Gajser losing ground on the two Yamaha riders. Gajser started pushing harder at the end of the race and closed up on Seewer for second place.

After 13 laps, Febvre held a four-second lead over Seewer, with Gajser all over the Yamaha riders in third, then came Paulin and Jasikonis.

Gajser moved into second place after passing Seewer and added a few points to his championship lead. Gajser then easily pulled away from Seewer and seemed to be going after Febvre for the race win. Febvre though was too good and Gajser found himslef settled for the second place. Febvre won race one in Loket from Gajser and Seewer finishing third.

Race two started nearly identical for Seewer who again took the holeshot and led the way ahead of Gajser, Paulin, Febvre and Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Arnaud Tonus. Febvre was quickly into third place and passed Paulin. Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tommy Searle also pushed hard as he moved into fifth place while Febvre moved forward in the early going of the race and looked to get to the front; the French moved into second place while Gajser seemed to back it down a little as both Seewer and Febvre were riding on the edge and very close. On lap three Febvre tried to make a pass on Seewer but couldn’t get past.

Gajser, after taking a little rest started pushing again and was back onto the two front guys. A brilliant battle for first place between the two Monster Energy Yamaha riders was set leaving Gajser sitting back watching it all. Febvre managed to move into first place on lap six.

Gajser started putting massive pressure on Seewer for second and pushed to get past but had to wait. Gajser rode past Seewer to move into second and started chasing after the leader.

Back in 9thposition Searle crashed into the wire fence and his bike was stuck dropping himself into 21st.

Top ten after seven laps was Febvre, Gajser, Seewer, Paulin, Tonus, Honda SR Motoblouz’ Jeremy Van Horebeek, Jonass, Standing Construct KTM’s Glenn Coldenhoff, Jasikonis and Standing Construct KTM’s Max Anstie in 10th. After nine laps suddenly Gajser was onto Febvre with just two seconds separating them two front guys.

Febvre settled and took command of the race, winning his third race of the season from Gajser and Seewer.

Febvre has won the MXGP of Czech Republic at the Loket circuit with a brilliant 1-1 performance and scored his first Grand Prix victory in three years. Second overall was Gajser with 2-2 scores and third was Seewer with 3-3 results. Gajser goes to Lommel with 177 points ahead of Seewer and with a change to gain the title at the MXGP of Belgium.

Roman Febvre: “I’m really happy about it. The road was long but I really had a perfect weekend. This means everything. A victory you can’t describe, I stalled the bike in the second race and Tim closed the gap and I opened the gap. We had a good start in the first race, was second behind my team-mate and I passed him quickly, he was following me, but I was comfortable, and I didn’t take pressure from them. I am happy to win for my team.”

MX2 CLASS

In MX2 Class Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado scored the 27th Grand Prix win of his short career with a perfect 1-1 result at the Grand Prix of Czech Republic. The win also extended Prado’s points lead in the series points, with 90 points separating Prado from second placed man Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen. Second overall at Loket was F&H Racing Kawasaki’s Henry Jacobi and third Olsen.

Just as he does so often Prado took the holeshot in the opening MX2 race followed by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle, Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen, Jacobi, and Marchetti Racing Team KTM’s Iker Larranaga in fifth place. Vlaanderen battled hard with Vialle and was looking to get past the French teenager.

After a lap the lead was one second and further back in the pack Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Jago Geerts moved into eight position. F&H Racing Kawasaki’s Adam Sterry was into the top ten as he was in ninth place. Two laps in and Prado was still just a second ahead and Vlaanderen looked desperate to get past Vialle and get a crack at the leader. Not a lot of position changes in the top ten and the lead went to nearly three seconds as Prado led Vialle and Vlaanderen.

Olsen moved into fifth position as he passed Larranaga, and Vialle continued to keep Vlaanderen from the leader. Beaton went past Larranaga and began his chase of his team-mate Olsen while Geerts was also looking to pass Larranaga. Prado continued to lead Vialle by three seconds, and the second placed man had moved away from Vlaanderen.

Sterry was pushing hard to get past Larranaga, and the two nearly collided on a couple of occasions. After seven laps it was Prado, Vialle, Vlaanderen, Jacobi, Olsen, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jed Beaton, Geerts, Larranaga, Sterry and Bud Racing’s Kawasaki’s Brian Moreau in 10th.

Vialle and Vlaanderen collided and both went down hard. Vlaanderen picked himself up in 10th place, but Vialle was out of the race as he cruised back to the mechanics area with a busted bike.

With the accident for second and third positions Prado suddenly had a big lead over Jacobi, then came Olsen, Beaton and Geerts in fifth. Prado eventually won it from Jacobi and Olsen.

Prado’s holeshot power was shown also in race two as he led the second MX2 race from Vialle, Jacobi and Vlaanderen. Sterry was also in amongst the leaders in fifth place and Olsen was back in seventh place.

After four laps the lead by Prado was more than two seconds with Vialle in safe second ahead of Jacobi, Vlaanderen and Sterry. Olsen continued to struggle a little in sixth place.

Jacobi moved past Vialle for second place and Vlaanderen started to put pressure on the young Frenchman. Vlaanderen and Sterry also moved past Vialle and then Olsen started to push for a passing move on Vialle. Prado in the meantime was miles ahead up front.

After 10 laps Prado held a 13 second lead over Jacobi, then came Vlaanderen, Sterry, and Olsen in fifth. Vlaanderen slipped over and was passed by Sterry, Olsen and Vialle. Geerts was also all over Vlaanderen for sixth position.

Vlaanderen came back on Vialle and was looking for a way past and on lap 13 he managed to pass the KTM rider. Geerts also passed Vialle as the Frenchman’s disappointing day continued. Sterry started to close up on Jacobi for second place, and further back Olsen was fourth, Vlaanderen fifth, Geerts sixth and Vialle seventh.

Prado remained in command as the race closed down, holding a 15 second lead over Jacobi and Sterry, with Olsen and Vlaanderen continuing to remain inside the top five. Great move by Sterry to move into second place as he blasted past Jacobi in a corner. Prado won his 22nd race from Sterry and Jacobi.

Prado won the MX2 class overall, with 1-1 results, with Jacobi second overall and Olsen third overall.

Jorge Prado: “It was unbelievable. Another two solid races and I enjoyed getting back to Europe and winning after the Asian rounds. I felt way better in the second race, got a good gap and pushed to get it home. Last year I got the red plate here, so it was nice to come back. Now I am looking forward to the Grand Prix in Lommel.

The next event is round 14, at Lommel, in Belgium, in a week’s time.

© Photo courtesy Youthstream

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RESULTS & STANDINGS:

MXGP – Grand Prix Race 1 Top Ten:

1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), 35:16.428; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:01.767; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:03.019; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:04.994; 5. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +0:06.234; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:11.778; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +0:23.045; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), +0:29.981; 9. Brian Bogers (NED, Honda), +0:36.277; 10. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:39.366.

 

MXGP – Grand Prix Race 2 Top Ten:

1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), 35:24.868; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:02.779; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:07.399; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:10.737; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:12.992; 6. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +0:14.782; 7. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:16.522; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:26.870; 9. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +0:29.205; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), +0:50.995.

 

MXGP – GP Top Ten:

1. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 50 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 44 p.; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 36 p.; 5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 29 p.; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 29 p.; 7. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 28 p.; 8. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 27 p.; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), 24 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 21 p.

 

MXGP – World Championship Top Ten:

1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 582 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 405 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 379 p.; 4. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 373 p.; 5. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 358 p.; 6. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 327 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 309 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 300 p.; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 297 p.; 10. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 293 p.

 

MX2 – Grand Prix Race 1 Top Ten:

1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 33:47.804; 2. Henry Jacobi (GER, Kawasaki), +0:08.007; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:11.631; 4. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:17.866; 5. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:23.742; 6. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:31.285; 7. Iker Larranaga Olano (ESP, KTM), +0:35.625; 8. Brian Strubhart Moreau (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:38.545; 9. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Honda), +0:38.910; 10. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Honda), +0:42.142.

 

MX2 – Grand Prix Race 2 Top Ten:

1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 35:33.413; 2. Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:10.244; 3. Henry Jacobi (GER, Kawasaki), +0:17.878; 4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:20.837; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Honda), +0:25.531; 6. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:32.755; 7. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:40.264; 8. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Honda), +0:48.725; 9. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:49.242; 10. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KTM), +0:56.925.

 

MX2 – GP Top Ten:

1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 50 points; 2. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 42 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 38 p.; 4. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 37 p.; 5. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 31 p.; 6. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 30 p.; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, HON), 28 p.; 8. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, HON), 23 p.; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, KTM), 19 p.; 10. Brent Van doninck (BEL, HON), 19 p.

 

MX2 – World Championship Top Ten:

1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 594 points; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 504 p.; 3. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 391 p.; 4. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 380 p.; 5. Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 377 p.; 6. Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 279 p.; 7. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 250 p.; 8. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 246 p.; 9. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 242 p.; 10. Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 228 p.