Honda HRC PETRONAS’s Jeffrey Herlings took the qualification victory at the MXGP of Sardinia, held in the deep sand of Riola Sardo. The Dutchman rounded the first corner in third place before quickly making a couple of passes to move into the lead, which he then held for the rest of the race.
After his Saturday win in Switzerland in the last round of the championship, it was another strong performance for the #84, who now sits just eight points behind the leader in the 2026 MXGP World Championship battle, and further proof that he has adapted quickly to the Honda CRF450RW. The improvement in his starts is clear for all to see and after a third in timed practice, he rocketed out the gate, in third place before making a pass in turn three and then passing for the lead in the same corner a lap later. Despite some arm-pump which kept his challengers closer that he would have liked, Herlings held on for another 10 points and now sets his sights on trying to score points in all three races for the first time this season.
Behind him in fourth place was Tom Vialle, who showed his race-craft once again, after not challenging at the front in either of the two practice sessions. Utilising his excellent starting technique, and the power of the Honda CRF450RW, the Frenchman was just ahead of his teammate around the first bend, before relinquishing that position a couple of turns later. He then held third for the majority of the moto, before dropping to fourth a couple of laps before the end, but it was still an excellent result for a rider in his debut 450 season.
Unfortunately Ruben Fernandez couldn’t make it all three riders in the points, after making a small error on the opening laps which dropped him to the back of the field. The Spaniard had impressed in timed practice with a fifth place, and was sitting comfortably inside the top 10 when the mistake happened. He fought back well to 14th place by the time he received the chequered flag, but was still frustrated not to have scored points.
In the MX2 class, Valerio Lata fought hard for the duration of the qualification race, eventually finishing eighth, but disappointed not to be closer to the top five. While sand isn’t his favourite surface, he has been working hard to try and get nearer to those podium spots in the soft conditions, and that will be his goal when they line-up for the two GP-scoring motos tomorrow.
MX2 Qualification Race
- Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 23:58.610; 2. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), +0:13.234; 3. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:19.178; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:20.069; 5. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:22.353; 6. Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:24.900; 7. Kay Karssemakers (NED, Kawasaki), +0:43.176; 8. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +0:44.081; 9. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Ducati), +0:44.676; 10. Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +0:53.312;
Rubén Fernández 70
Honda HRC PETRONAS
Definitely not great to crash so early in the qualification race. It was a shame because I’d done well in timed practice to get fifth gate-pick and had a decent start in the qualifying race, but then immediately I dropped to the back of the field. I passed 10 guys to get back to 14th but I was really hoping for some points today and it makes the start for tomorrow tougher as well. I will give everything though and push hard for results in both motos.
Tom Vialle 16
Honda HRC PETRONAS
I didn’t really get a good time posted in free or timed practice so I knew that the start would be very important once again. And once again I was able to come round the first corner in second position and really give myself a chance at a good result. Jeffrey quickly passed me but I held onto third for most of the race before crossing the line in fourth. I’m still happy with the result though and the aim to do the same again tomorrow.
Jeffrey Herlings 84
Honda HRC PETRONAS
Everybody was pushing hard to get the fastest time in timed practice, and I ended up third which was good. I then had another good start on my Honda CRF450RW and quickly got into second, before making a move on the second lap to move into first. Although I got the lead, Febvre was close to me the whole race and I got a bit of arm pump which made it closer than I would have liked. Still, I took the win and started the weekend off on the right foot, so I want to keep that going for these two motos.
Valerio Lata 18
Honda HRC PETRONAS
I really felt like I had a good rhythm today, which on this type of deep sand track is very important. I ended up eighth but I really feel like I could have been higher so my goal tomorrow is to try and make that happen and just try to get a good feeling with the track.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas –
Honda HRC PETRONAS
It was great to see Tom and Jeffrey rounding the first corner in second and third, and then to see Jeffrey quickly move into the lead. We know he is good in the sand, but it still good to see him showing that and putting a marker down for the rest of the riders. Tom continues to impress us and just is such a good racer, putting in solid laps and keeping pace on what is such a difficult track. Unfortunately Ruben made a mistake when he was well placed, so we hope he can bounce back tomorrow and we will be trying to help Valerio get nearer to that top five, which is where we think he should be.
