MXGP World Championship
Saturday Report: Villars sous Ecot
Ending the season in Southern California.
A perk of ending the season in Southern California was that the Grand Prix contingent were able to bask in glorious sunshine. Now that the FIM Motocross World Championship is concluding in France, at the old-school circuit of Villars sous Ecot, those in the paddock do not get to embrace that. In fact, conditions at the MXGP of Pays de Montbeliard were rather miserable.
A small shower was initially forecast for the afternoon and that eventually arrived, but soon turned into so much more. The support classes, EMX250 and WMX, got the brunt of it, so those riders were really focussed on surviving rather than thriving. Staying upright was still a priority for those in the premier classes, but conditions allowed them to battle it out somewhat. Romain Febvre and Max Anstie were the only riders really throwing it all on the line, however, as they tussled over pole position in the premier division.
Max Anstie eventually took that win and was clearly the fastest rider at the end of the race. His line through the waves at the bottom of the circuit was particularly awe-inspiring. ‘99’ actually took the early lead, despite the fact that he raced into the first turn in the middle of the pack, as he tucked himself on the inside and capitalised when a lot of guys ran wide. “It feels great,” commented Anstie in the post-race press conference.
“It was awesome to be battling with Romain, the French crowd were really behind him. It was a little bit similar to Switzerland, as in the race there I was battling with Arnaud Tonus. I was a little bit nervous in the first few laps and he got around me, but then I found some lines and relaxed a little bit,” Anstie continued. “We had a really good battle going and, okay, it was a Saturday race and there was no point risking everything. A race win for me is still a race win. It was still really cool.”
Max Anstie |
Romain Febvre |
Difference |
|
Lap 6 |
1:58.119 |
1:57.551 |
+0.568 |
Lap 7 |
1:55.661 |
1:56.503 |
-0.842 |
Lap 8 |
1:55.729 |
1:55.917 |
-0.188 |
Lap 9 |
1:56.860 |
1:59.336 |
-2.476 |
Lap 10 |
1:56.515 |
1:55.878 |
+0.637 |
Lap 11 |
1:53.692 |
1:54.953 |
-1.261 |
Lap 12 |
1:53.057 |
1:55.223 |
-2.166 |
Things started to change around five laps from the end when Romain Febvre threw his goggles. That clearly hindered his charge somewhat, especially as backmarkers really started to come into play. Those slower riders helped him tremendously at one point though; Anstie made it through, then was immediately caught up in lapped traffic and had to give up the lead. Obviously there was still not much that Febvre could do, but he kept the battle alive until the very end.
It is worth noting that Anstie is one of the few riders who could actually improve on his championship ranking. Tenth is the position that he currently occupies, despite the fact that he missed two rounds earlier in the year, and he is just two points down on Glenn Coldenhoff. Jeremy Van Horebeek is just twenty points ahead in eighth, so could be caught too. If you work out his average amount of points at each round, then give him that number at the two that he missed, he would be vying for a position in the top five with Tim Gajser and Febvre. That is quite impressive in his rookie season, right?
Not much went on behind the top two, except for the fact that Jeffrey Herlings charged forward to third. Herlings was rather impressive towards the end, just as his lap times below indicate, but it took too long for him to get going. Speaking of Herlings, an interesting statistic emerged earlier today. ‘84’ has been the fastest in free practice at every round since the Grand Prix of Lombardia and he only missed out on the top spot by less than a tenth at that event! Take a second to remember where he came from at the start of the season, as the turnaround is rather remarkable.
Max Anstie |
Romain Febvre |
Jeffrey Herlings |
|
Lap 6 |
1:58.119 |
1:57.551 |
1:59.932 |
Lap 7 |
1:55.661 |
1:56.503 |
2:00.423 |
Lap 8 |
1:55.729 |
1:55.917 |
1:58.093 |
Lap 9 |
1:56.860 |
1:59.336 |
1:56.557 |
Lap 10 |
1:56.515 |
1:55.878 |
1:54.055 |
Lap 11 |
1:53.692 |
1:54.953 |
1:59.644 |
Lap 12 |
1:53.057 |
1:55.223 |
1:58.946 |
There were many noteworthy rides in the MX2 division, but Hunter Lawrence stole the show. Lawrence, who claimed the first qualifying race victory of his career, stole the early lead and threw down some lap times that those behind him simply could not match. It was an impressive display and reminded everyone present what he is capable of when he gets out of the gate with his competitors.
“I got a great start on my RM-Z250, taking the holeshot and leading the way around the first few bends,” Lawrence said in a press release. “I was pretty pumped to have got that good start, so I put my head down and made sure to hit my lines and keep everyone behind me. I have been feeling good all day, as I love the track and all the ruts. Everything seems to have gone well today, I just hope we can keep it going tomorrow because it was such a good feeling to take the victory.”
Pauls Jonass was reminded by his team to play it smart halfway through the heat, as he started to close in on the race leader, and was then later told to take the inside line at the end of pit lane. That same line almost caught him out earlier in the race and then it happened again after he registered the advice. Despite that, however, he gave it another go, which shows how much value he puts into what Marc de Reuver says. Pit boards may be more useful than some realise! It is more than likely that Jonass will lock up the title in moto one tomorrow, as he just needs to finish twelfth or higher.
Jed Beaton was simply phenomenal in the qualifying race, but will not get the recognition that he truly deserves. Beaton crashed in turn one, which is typically a recipe for disaster in muddy conditions, but then got up and charged through to fourth within just eight laps. “Qualifying today was okay,” Beaton said. “I actually got off to a much better start today, but then crashed in the first corner. I just ran in too hot, tucked the front and was dead last! I tried to get up as quick as I could and get into it, not let them get too far away. I ended up coming back to fourth overall, which is my best result to date. I feel really good and comfortable out there.”
Thomas Covington charged forward in a similar fashion, as he pushed through from fourteenth on lap one to sixth, and Jorge Prado also recovered well from a first-turn crash to claim twelfth. Ben Watson fell twice en route to seventeenth, which was just two positions ahead of Conrad Mewse. Mewse had a rather large crash early on in the race, pulled into pit lane briefly and then salvaged a nineteenth. What about Darian Sanayei? ‘57’ struggled to make it to the top of the longest hill on the circuit and then watched as his Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki went up in a cloud of smoke.
Words: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Sean Ogden
MXGP World Championship
2024 Spain Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos – MXGP Results
We will post the 2024 MXGP results of Spain Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos GP all weekend. Get the latest updates to your phone through MX Vice.
MXGP Championship
MXGP Overall
MXGP Race Two
MXGP Race One
MXGP Qualification Race
MXGP Timed Practice
MX2 Championship
MX2 Overall
MX2 – Race Two
MX2 – Race One
MX2 – Qualification Race
MX2 Timed Practice
WMX Race Two
WMX Race One
EMX 250 Overall
EMX 250 – Race 2
EMX 250 – Race 1
EMX 250 – Timed Practice
MXGP World Championship
//PEARCY Stats Preview MXGP Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos
Once again, our resident stats guru, Paul Pearcy, provides a breakdown of the MX2 class going into Intu Xanadu. Famed more for its access to a shopping mall and McDonald’s than actual passing, the MX2 contenders will be looking to make their mark. Last year, Simon Laengenfelder reigned supreme and was unstoppable on Sunday, with no rider able to match his pace. If you were a betting man, who would be your winner?
MXGP Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos Preview
MX2
Kay de Wolf
Venue Visits: 21’, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 3rd
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 3rd
- Qualifying Race Finish: 4th
- Qualifying Points: 7
- Race First Lap Position: 6th
- Race Finishes: 5th in Race 1, 11th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 8th
- Race Points: 54
Total Points: 61
Simon Laengenfelder
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
- Race Podiums: 4; 22’, 23’
- Race Wins: 2; 1-1 in 23’
- Overall Podiums: 2; 22’, 23’
- Overall win: 1; 23’
- Race Laps Led: 34; all in 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 4.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 3rd
- Qualifying Points: 8
- Race First Lap Position: 5.167
- Race Finishes: 4.333 in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 4.333
- Race Points: 113
Total Points: 121
Thibault Benistant
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
- Race Podium: 1; 23’
- Race Laps Led: 1, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 6.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 5.5
- Qualifying Points: 5
- Race First Lap Position: 12.667
- Race Finishes: 5.667 in Race 1, 6.333 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 6.333
- Race Points: 92
Total Points: 97
Mikkel Haarup
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 9th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 12th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 12th
- Race First Lap Position: 12.5
- Race Finishes: 12.333 in Race 1, 9.667 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 10.667
- Race Points: 60
Total Points: 60
Andrea Adamo
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
- Race Podium: 1; 23’
- Overall Podium: 1; 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 11th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 9.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 6.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 6
- Race First Lap Position: 11.667
- Race Finishes: 9.333 in Race 1, 12.667 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 10.333
- Race Points: 70
Total Points: 76
Lucas Coenen
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 6th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 2nd
- Qualifying Points: 9
- Race First Lap Position: 17.5
- Race Finishes: 6th in Race 1, 26th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 14th
- Race Points: 15
Total Points: 24
Sacha Coenen
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 19th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 24th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 17th
- Race First Lap Position: 8.5
- Race Finishes: 9th in Race 1, 11th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 9th
- Race Points: 22
Total Points: 22
Rick Elzinga
Venue Visits: 22’, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 10th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 21.5
- Race First Lap Position: 4.25
- Race Finishes:13th in Race 1, 10th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 14.5
- Race Points: 27
Total Points: 27
Jack Chambers
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 22nd
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 15th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 15th
- Race First Lap Position: 24.5
- Race Finishes:17th in Race 1, 16th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 17th
- Race Points: 9
Total Points: 9
Oriol Oliver
Venue Visits: 21’, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 17.5
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 16th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 13th
- Race First Lap Position: 12.75
- Race Finishes:17th in Race 1, 17th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 17.5
- Race Points: 19
Total Points: 19
David Braceras
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 16th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 15.5
- Race First Lap Position: 12.75
- Race Finishes:14.5 in Race 1, 16th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 16.5
- Race Points: 23
Total Points: 23
Emil Weckman
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 17th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 10th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
- Race First Lap Position: 12.5
- Race Finishes: 15th in Race 1, 19th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 18th
- Race Points: 8
Total Points: 8
Bobby Bruce
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 20th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 12th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 26th
- Race First Lap Position: 23rd
- Race Finishes: 27th in Race 1, 21st in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 17th
MXGP
Jorge Prado
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
- 1st in Timed Practice: 1; 22’
- Qualifying Race Podiums: 2; 22’, 23’
- Qualifying Race Win: 1; 23’
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 12
- Race Podiums: 6
- Race Wins: 2
- Overall Podiums: 2; 20’, 21’
- Overall Win: 1; 20’ (1-1 in 20’)
- Race Laps Led: 56
Averages
- Timed Practice: 3rd
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 1.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 10
- Race First Lap Position: 2.125
- Race Finishes: 2nd in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 3rd
- Race Points: 160
Total Points: 170
Romain Febvre
Venue Visits: 20’, 21’, 23’
- Race Podiums: 3
- Race Win: 1; 21’
- Overall Podium: 1; 20’
- Race Laps Led: 11
Averages
- Timed Practice: 5.667
- Race First Lap Position: 8.5
- Race Finishes: 1.5 in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 3.5
- Race Points: 81
Total Points: 81
Tim Gajser
Venue Visits: 20’-22’
- 1st in Timed Practice: 1; 20’
- Race Podiums: 4
- Overall Podiums: 2; 20’, 21’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 1.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 5th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
- Race First Lap Position: 3.5
- Race Finishes: 3rd in Race 1, 3.333 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 3rd
- Race Points: 119
Total Points: 119
Pauls Jonass
Venue Visits: 21’, 22’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 8.5
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 3rd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 9th
- Race First Lap Position: 7.25
- Race Finishes: 7.5 in Race 1, 7th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 7.5
- Race Points: 55
Total Points: 55
Maxime Renaux
Venue Visit: 22’, 23’
- Race Wins: 2; 22’ (1-1 in 22’)
- Overall Win: 1; 22’
- Race Laps Led: 31
Averages
- Timed Practice: 4th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 5th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 13th
- Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Race Finishes: 1st in Race 1, 1st in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 1st
- Race Points: 50
Total Points: 50
Jeremy Seewer
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
- Qualifying Race Podium: 1; 23’
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 1; 22’
- Race Laps Led: 5
Averages
- Timed Practice: 6.5
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 4th
- Qualifying Race Points: 8
- Race First Lap Position: 5.375
- Race Finishes: 8.5 in Race 1, 5.25 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 7th
- Race Points: 115
Total Points: 123
Jeffery Herlings
Venue Visits: 21’, 23’
- 1st in Timed Practice: 2; 21’, 23’
- Qualifying Race Podiums: 1; 23’
- Race Podiums: 4;(Jeffrey has podiumed 100% of the races he has competed in)
- Race Wins: 3; (Herlings has won 75% of the victories he has vied for)
- Overall Wins: 2; (100% win rate)
- Race Laps Led: 27
Averages
- Timed Practice: 1st
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Points: 9
- Race First Lap Position: 4.75
- Race Finishes: 2nd in Race 1, 1st in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 1st
- Race Points: 95
Total Points: 104
Glenn Coldenhoff
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
- Qualifying Race Win: 1; 22’
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 12
- Race Podium: 1; 22’
- Overall Podium: 1; 22’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 7.25
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 3.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 5
- Race First Lap Position: 5.125
- Race Finishes: 6th in Race 1, 6.5 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 5th
- Race Points: 123
Total Points: 128
Calvin Vlaanderen
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 12th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
- Qualifying Race Points: 2
- Race First Lap Position: 15.625
- Race Finishes: 11.5 in Race 1, 12.75 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 12.25
- Race Points: 71
Total Points: 73
Valentin Guillod
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 18th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 19.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 12.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 1
- Race First Lap Position: 14.75
- Race Finishes: 12th in Race 1, 15.25 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 14.25
- Race Points: 62
Total Points: 63
Ben Watson
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 14.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 20.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 24.5
- Race First Lap Position: 16.5
- Race Finishes: 19th in Race 1
- Overall Finishes: 22nd
- Race Points: 2
Total Points: 2
Ivo Monticelli
Venue Visits: 20’, 22’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 12th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 9th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 24th
- Race First Lap Position: 16.75
- Race Finishes: 15th in Race 1, 13th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 13th
- Race Points: 28
Total Points: 28
Kevin Brumann
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 17th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 20th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 20th
- Race First Lap Position: 20th
- Race Finishes: 14th in Race 1, 17th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 15th
- Race Points: 11
Total Points: 11
Photo: KTM Group
MX Vice Podcasts
Between The Races Podcast: Adam Sterry – MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina Recap and Spain Preview
Listen now.
The Between The Races podcast returns with Adam Sterry, Ed Stratmann and Brad Wheeler, as they review the 2024 MXGP season opener and look ahead to Spain.
The Between The Races podcast is always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Fly Racing, Monster Energy, Fox Racing, Parts Europe, Scott, Bell Helmets, Acerbis, AS3 Performance, Kawasaki UK, KTM UK, O’Neal and Even Strokes for supporting the show. If you would like to become a part of the show, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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