MOTOCROSS MXGP OF VALKENSWAARD 2017

GP6: Valkenswaard - Fourth MX2 GP win for Pauls Jonass

Just a week after Italy, the FIM Motocross World Championship was in the Netherlands for another exciting Grand Prix. MX2 series leader Pauls Jonass grabbed another double win in Valkenswaard and in two weeks’ time he will come to his home GP in Kegums (Latvia) as the series leader. In the European class, Brian Moreau (EMX125) and Morgan Lesiardo (EMX250) both got a podium result.

Working this season alongside Dutch Marc de Reuver who was in the past one of the fastest rider in the sand, Pauls Jonass was expecting some good results in Valkenswaard and the series leader was in fact unbeatable! Winner of the qualifying race and twice leader of the races from the first to the last lap, the KTM factory rider claimed his fourth win of the season. “I felt good all weekend and we made improvements from Saturday to Sunday and actually all the time with the bike. I enjoyed the track even if it was rough and pretty sketchy in places because it was hard underneath with some square-edge bumps but it was nice to ride. I cruised in the first moto. I like riding here and to go home with the 1-1 means I am looking forward even more to my home GP next,” said a delighted Pauls. Teammate Jorge Prado, winner of the previous round in Italy was pretty unlucky as he crashed in both races and just scored a few points. Belgian Julien Lieber was the main opponent for Jonass, but after finishing runner up in the first race he was hit by another rider in race two and retired with a painful ankle. For young Australian Hunter Lawrence it was another story, as the Suzuki rider posted his best result so far in his learning season with a sixth overall.

The MXGP class was again very excited to watch, as both races were undecided until the last moment and finally celebrated the come back on the winning step for Gautier Paulin. The Frenchman beats home hero Jeffrey Herlings who failed to get an eighth consecutive win on his favourite track, but got his first podium this season in the main class. Clement Desalle and Arnaud Tonus both crashed in one race, and lost the opportunity to get a good result this weekend.

The 125 European series kicks off in Valkenswaard, and saw young Frenchman Brian Moreau shining in the sand with a strong second position overall while Italian Morgan Lesiardo got his second consecutive podium in the European 250 series. He’s currently runner up in the standings, and both classes will be part of the next GP program in Latvia in two weeks’ time.

Results MXGP.

1.Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna)

2.Herlings (PB, KTM)

3.Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha)

11.Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

12.Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), Scott Athlete

14.Simpson (GBR, Yamaha) Scott Athlete

MXGP World Championship Standings:

1.Gajser, 234

2.Cairoli, 220

3.Paulin, 192

6.Desalle, 172

9.Tonus, 120

11.Simpson, 105

Results MX2.

1.Jonass (LAT, KTM), Scott Athlete

2.Seewer (SUI, Suzuki)

3.Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha)

6.Lawrence (AUS, Suzuki), Scott Athlete

9.Lieber (BEL, KTM), Scott Athlete

MX2 World Championship Standings

1.Jonass, 242

2.Seewer, 223

3.Lieber, 197

9.Prado (ESP, KTM), Scott Athlete, 117