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MXGP World Championship

Day One: MXGP of Britain

Reflecting on the first day in Britain.

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When Antonio Cairoli shot out to the early lead and Jeffrey Herlings slotted into fourth, a majority of pundits would have bet on the latter to take the win. Cairoli immediately threw the hammer down though and was consistently quicker than the competition. There was simply no opportunity for the others to respond. Although he has not done a lot of winning this season, it is not exactly surprising that he logged such a phenomenal ride. This circuit has been labelled as his favourite countless times in the past and his record on British soil speaks for itself.

There were a couple of lines that Antonio Cairoli took that helped him strengthen his advantage at the head of the field. A combination of double, triple, double in the rhythm section was particularly impressive and something that his competition could not master. It was made quite clear to Jeffrey Herlings that he needed to do his line, as it was on his board on multiple laps, but he just could not get it done. Herlings instead opted to go double, double, double and then single each lap. It does not take a genius to figure out just how much slower that line was each lap, but here are the sector times.

Antonio Cairoli

Jeffrey Herlings

Difference

Lap 5

0:31.516

0:32.068

-0.552

Lap 6

0:32.116

0:31.912

+0.204

Lap 7

0:32.112

0:31.420

+0.692

Lap 8

0:31.922

0:32.075

-0.153

Lap 9

0:31.750

0:31.977

-0.227

Lap 10

0:32.793

0:32.679

+0.114

Enlarge

Site-Antonio-Cairoli
Antonio Cairoli was simply unstoppable in the qualifying heat.

ConwayMX

Those times offer a glimpse at just how good Antonio Cairoli was, but not as much as the lap times in the table below. Cairoli was satisfied in the post-race press conference, just as one would expect. “I am really happy,” Cairoli said. “We made good starts again, which was a little bit of a struggle at the last race, so hopefully we can have another one tomorrow. We know it is the key at the moment to stay at least top three if you want to win the GP. For me it is really important to get a good start and we made it today. I could make good laps and pull quite a big gap over the rest. I really like the track today and how they prepared it. There were not many ruts, but at least you could cut lines and invent something new every lap to try and make it fun.”

Antonio Cairoli

Jeffrey Herlings

Difference

Lap 5

2:19.618

2:22.488

-2.870

Lap 6

2:20.813

2:21.667

-0.854

Lap 7

2:21.610

2:22.053

-0.443

Lap 8

2:22.459

2:23.356

-0.897

Lap 9

2:22.716

2:22.071

+0.645

Lap 10

2:25.717

2:26.398

-0.681

Enlarge

Site-Jeffrey-Herlings-2
Jeffrey Herlings will face a tougher challenge than he has in recent weeks.

ConwayMX

What was up with Jeffrey Herlings? It is easy to immediately question the current series leader, but things must be kept in perspective. Conditions were not exactly ideal in the sense that the track was just so fast and hard-pack. It was actually similar to qualifying at Teutschenthal. Although it is important to remember that it was only qualifying heading into tomorrow, there is no doubt that he is not going to have things all his own way and will be pushed harder than he has been in recent weeks. The stage is set for some intriguing motos that should stray from what is considered normal at this point.

Glenn Coldenhoff deserves credit for finishing third with a solid ride. Tim Gajser was breathing down his neck for the duration and could not get the job done. Perhaps that serves as proof that track conditions were quite fast? Going back to the rhythm section, these riders offered a great look at how two different lines compared. A handful of riders, like Tim Gajser, opted to go to the outside and then triple into the section, but a majority of the field tucked up the inside and then doubled their way through before singling out. Glenn Coldenhoff did that line every lap and did not lose any time, which undoubtedly intrigued some onlookers.

Tommy Searle could see those two for a lot of the race, although he dropped off a little towards the end. Searle stole headlines with the second-fastest time in free practice, but backed that up in the timed session and then looked comfortable whilst running on the cusp of the top five in qualifying. It is certainly a huge step in the right direction and a reminder of just how good he can be. “I am feeling nice and better after a few weeks on the bike,” Searle stated. “Like Max said, I have had so many injuries and coming back every time is a little bit harder.

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Site-Tommy-Searle-1
Tommy Searle was a pleasant surprise on day one at Matterley Basin.

ConwayMX

You sort of underestimate it and when you turn back up at a race… Last time in Germany I was a little bit scared, because of crashing on the start before, Searle continued. “I feel better coming in and a lot more confident in myself. I was seventh in the race, but just tightened up. The track was a little bit slippery at first, but then I stopped thinking and did not change any of my lines. I made some mistakes and got a little bit tight, but overall I think it is a good step in the right direction for me.”

Max Anstie was actually ahead of Tommy Searle and pushing Jeffrey Herlings, before a small crash caused him to drop into the lower half of the top ten. The race confirmed what has been said countless times over the last couple of weeks though. Although his results have not quite been what he would have wanted, it has simply come down to the fact that he has had poor starts. The same could be said about a lot of the field, funnily enough, as a good start is often all it takes. Heck, look at Antonio Cairoli at Teutschenthal! It will be interesting to see what he can do with a good start tomorrow, as a spot on the podium is a possibility.

It is nice to be back here and I have got great memories here from the ‘Nations,” Max Anstie said following qualifying. “I am here to do my best and I set the bar pretty high with that. I feel like this race has come at a good time for me, because since my crash in Spain it has been quite hard to catch back up and I am not where I want to be on the track. Everyone is riding great and when you miss time, like myself… I am just trying to get back to it. I was good and up there [in qualifying], but then I went and crashed in one of the bottom turns.”

Enlarge

Site-Max-Anstie
Max Anstie pushed Jeffrey Herlings through the first half of the race.

ConwayMX

Jorge Prado had an identical race to his teammate, Antonio Cairoli, as he took the holeshot in the MX2 class and just pulled away. “The race went pretty good again,” Prado stated following the race. “I could make a holeshot and it was fun. I was having fun the whole time, I think that was the key for me, and I could make a good gap to the guys behind, then control it and try lines for tomorrow. The track is fun and not too rough, so you can make new lines every lap. I will try to do the same tomorrow and hope that I can again get a good start. We will see tomorrow.”

The table below offers a look at just how incredible his sprint speed was. Considering that it is likely that he will take another holeshot tomorrow, it would be brave to bet against the winner of the previous Grand Prix. The situation was fairly similar at Teutschenthal, however, and he just could not capitalise, as he left without making any significant progress in the championship standings. It is most important for him to put this speed to good use and gain ground in the title chase.

Jorge Prado

Pauls Jonass

Difference

Lap 1

2:25.442

2:26.924

-1.182

Lap 2

2:24.956

2:26.126

-1.170

Lap 3

2:25.136

2:26.201

-1.065

Lap 4

2:24.388

2:25.901

-1.513

Lap 5

2:24.273

2:24.864

-0.591

Lap 6

2:25.125

2:24.863

+0.262

Enlarge

Site-Pauls-Jonass
Pauls Jonass could potentially lose some points tomorrow.

ConwayMX

Pauls Jonass and Thomas Kjer Olsen had fairly stagnant races, but acquired solid starting positions for tomorrow, then Ben Watson was a little further down in fourth. “I was quite happy with my gate pick,” Watson said following the race. “I did not feel so good with the bike today, like I was not riding like myself. I am taking it like any other race. I just want to treat it normal and have everything the same with the preparation etc. I had a good start, then lost on spot to [Thomas Kjer] Olsen and rode my own race. I rode my own race and had a few mistakes, but I am happy now I have a decent gate pick for tomorrow. It is good.”

Hunter Lawrence was solid in fifth, but that result is not a true representation of just how well he rode. The same could be said about Jed Beaton, who fell on lap one, as he made an incredible amount of progress in a short space of time. It would not be surprising at all to see either of those riders on the podium tomorrow. The table below should open eyes; Beaton was faster than Pauls Jonass even when working through traffic! This class is certainly wide open and there is a possibility that there could be a big swing in points, if one of these riders can get between the two contenders.

Pauls Jonass

Jed Beaton Difference
Lap 5 2:24.864 2:24.808

+0.056

Lap 6

2:24.863

2:25.254

-0.391

Lap 7

2:25.364

2:25.047

+0.317

Lap 8

2:25.211

2:25.052

+0.159

Lap 9

2:27.023

2:25.493

+1.530

Lap 10

2:28.288

2:25.606

+2.682

A final tip of the cap to Josh Gilbert is required before signing off. There is no way that anyone would have predicted that he would hover around the top ten quite comfortably, but he did that and undoubtedly opened some eyes. There is no doubt that he was a little flustered on the opening lap, as he almost threw it away and then bobbled in the rhythm section. Everything settled down after that, however, and he did not look out of place at all. It is amazing what a good start can do, as mentioned previously. It is likely that will be the theme heading into the second day of racing at the Grand Prix of Great Britain.

Words: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: ConwayMX

MXGP World Championship

2024 Spain Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos – MXGP Results

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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

EMX 250 Practice

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MXGP World Championship

//PEARCY Stats Preview MXGP Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos

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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

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MX Vice Podcasts

Between The Races Podcast: Adam Sterry – MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina Recap and Spain Preview

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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.

Lead Image: Triumph Racing/Ray Archer

Love what we do? Please read this article as we try to raise £30,000.

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