MOTOCROSS MXGP OF LATVIA 2017

GP7: Latvia - Jonass, Moreau and Lesiardo hold red plates!

Pauls Jonass, Brian Moreau and Morgan Lesiardo all claimed podiums during the Grand Prix of Latvia, round seven of the FIM Motocross World Championship. They go back home with the leadership of the MX2 World Championship, the 125 and 250 European championships!         

Kegums has never been so demanding. This event was one of the toughest so far with many crashes, including the Wilvo Yamaha riders Shaun Simpson (broken finger) and Arnaud Tonus.

Racing at home this weekend Pauls Jonass did another solid performance! Even if he didn’t win the GP; with a second overall the Latvian rider increased his leadership in the MX2 class as his main rival retired in race two. “It is a little bit of a pity I didn't win and in the first race I was passed on the last lap, which was disappointing and put some pain in my heart! At least I could win the second moto in front of my home crowd and come across the finish line first. I didn't expect so many fans and Latvian flags and it was so nice to ride here. I had a bit more pressure on my shoulders but I enjoyed it,” said Jonass after the race. Danish Thomas Kjer Olsen won his first ever GP, and Spaniard Jorge Prado just missed the podium even if he scores as many points as Vlaanderen, with a worst result than his rival in the second heat. “I think I did a good job – not super-good but good enough and it was important not to crash and keep learning. The track was really rough and people were making a lot of mistakes; I didn't make so many and saw some others crash really hard. I think I have the speed but I need to be a bit more consistent with my lap-times and be more confident in myself,” analysed Jorge who is now seventh in the standings.

In the MXGP class Belgian Clement Desalle reacted after two difficult races, and also missed the final podium even if he was tight in the points with Cairoli (second) and Bobryshev (third) behind Jeffrey Herlings who won his first ever MXGP. Desalle got the holeshot in the opening moto and did two strong races. “I couldn’t train as usual after Valkenswaard as I had pain in my ribs, and I only qualified in eighth position on Saturday but I got a holeshot in the first GP moto. That was good; I made a small mistake after a few corners and Herlings passed me but I was still second and battled with Bobryshev. My second start was not as good as the first one as there was a small problem with my gate but I soon came back to sixth and finally finished fifth as another rider crashed. I missed the podium, but it was a good GP for us,” said Desalle.

Runner up in the first round of the European 125 two weeks ago, Brian Moreau claimed a double victory in Kegums, and is the new leader of the series before the next round in France later this month. Fellow countryman Thibault Bénistant confirmed his improvements on sandy tracks with a fourth overall, while Italian Morgan Lesiardo claimed a podium in the European 250 and now leads the series.

Results MXGP.

1.Herlings (PB, KTM)

2.Cairoli (ITA, KTM)

3.Bobryshev (RUS, Honda)

4.Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

12.Simpson (GBR, Yamaha) Scott Athlete

14.Tixier (FRA, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

16.Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), Scott Athlete

MXGP World Championship Standings:

1.Cairoli, 258

2.Gajser, 241

3.Paulin, 220

5.Desalle, 210

10.Tonus, 133

12.Simpson, 123

Results MX2.

1.Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna)

2.Jonass (LAT, KTM), Scott Athlete

3.Vlaanderen (RSA, KTM)

4.Prado (SPA, KTM), Scott Athlete

7.Lieber (BEL, KTM), Scott Athlete

MX2 World Championship Standings

1.Jonass, 287

2.Seewer, 245

3.Kjer Olsen, 235

4.Lieber, 223

7.Prado, 155

Results European 125

1.Moreau (FRA, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

2.Horgmo (NOR, KTM)

3.Notario (SPA, KTM)

4.Bénistant (FRA, Yamaha), Scott Athlete

European 125 Championship standings

1.Moreau, 92

2.Haarup (DEN, Husqvarna), 74

3.Horgmo, 71

Results European 250

1.Natzke (NZL, KTM)

2.Lesiardo (ITA, KTM), Scott Athlete

3.Geerts (BEL, KTM)

European 250 Championship standings

1.Lesiardo, 112

2.Sihvonen (FIN, KTM), 90

3.Furlotti (ITA, Yamaha), 86