MOTOCROSS MXGP OF THE NETHERLANDS 2016

GP16: NETHERLAND (Assen) - First MXGP win this season for Clement Desalle

Clement Desalle celebrates in Assen his first GP win of the season, in a tremendous round of the MXGP World Championship. Heavy rain on Sunday morning ruined the track especially built for this event, but the Belgian did two strong races to collect this GP win. In the MX2 class, new talent Jorge Prado got his first ever MX2 podium in what was only his first experience at this level!It has been a tough season for long-time Scott Athlete Clement Desalle, who broke his arm just a few days before the opening GP in Qatar and had to recover before being again one of the main protagonists in the MXGP class. Twice runner up this weekend, behind Shaun Simpson in race one and Antonio Cairoli in race two, the Kawasaki rider finally got this GP win he was looking for since a few races. "It feels good to be back on the top step of the podium again after two years. We've been working all season for this. I started the year with everything new - new bike, new tyres, new suspension - and then I got the injury at the worst possible time just before the first GP, but the whole team has been working hard and we have found a good base for me on all surfaces. I was second in each moto today, but I was the best rider overall on the day. After the rain in the night the first moto was all about staying on two wheels, and in race two I had to resist pressure from Coldenhoff right to the end of race; it was not easy with the lappers but I kept focused to the finish. I enjoyed the victory today and to win in sand made it even sweeter; for sure that is a surprise to some people but I am actually good in sand. I am back and now I want to win every race I start," said a delighted Clement. Always fast on sandy tracks, Shaun Simpson rode to an impressive win in the first race, but two crashes in race two cost him all his chances of podium; sixth overall, the Scottish rider comes back in the top ten of the series.In the MX2 class Spaniard Jorge Prado finally make his official debut, after an unsuccessful attempt in Belgium when an injury forced him to postpone his GP debut. Winner of the qualifying race on Saturday, Jorge didn’t felt comfortable on the wet track during the first race but battled for the win in race two with team mate Jeffrey Herlings. Second of this race, he finished third overall of the GP behind Dutch riders Herlings and Bogers, while Thomas Kjer Olsen, the EMX250 champion confirmed his great potential with a fifth overall.

The series enters now the last two rounds in America, with Charlotte and Glen Helen one week later.

Results MXGP.

1.Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

2.Cairoli (ITA, KTM)

3.Coldenhoff (PB, KTM)

6.Simpson (GBR, KTM), Scott Athlete

8.Tixier (FRA, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

MXGP World standings:

1.Gajser (SLO, Honda), 653

2.Cairoli, 588

3.Nagl (ALL, Husqvarna), 542

8.Desalle, 298

10.Simpson, 277

Results MX2.

1.Herlings (PB, KTM)

2.Bogers (PB, KTM)

3.Prado (SPA, KTM), Scott Athlete

5.Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), Scott Athlete

16.Petrov (BUL, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete

MX2 World Standings

1.Herlings, 644

2.Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), 568

3.Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), 460

6.Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), Scott Athlete, 378

7.Petrov, 351