MXGP World Championship
Day One: MXGP of Switzerland
Qualification report from round sixteen.
The opening day of the Grand Prix of Switzerland, the sixteenth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, had a lot to live up to. Fans were desperate for more of the incredible action that took place at the same facility a year ago. The premier-class qualifying moto, which featured the greatest Swiss stars, delivered though.
Antonio Cairoli took pole position, for the second time in three rounds, but really had to work for it. Cairoli was demoted to fourth early on whilst Tim Gajser sprinted away at the head of the field, so it did not necessarily seem as though he was going to be much of a factor. Instead, however, he kept chugging away and eventually leapt to the head of the field in the last couple of laps. “I am really happy about the qualification race,” Cairoli said in a post-race statement at Frauenfeld-Gachnang. “It is a nice track, which I like a lot. Normally it is time to make some better races and try to attack a little bit more than what we did in past races.
“My goal is to stay in front and win as much as possible, then see what is happening in the back,” Cairoli continued when reflecting on his current position in the standings. “There are still a lot of races and the points gap is not too big. From now on we try to stay a little bit closer and in front as much as possible. I will do everything I can to stay in front and see what happens. We have some races to go and I am looking forward to it. I am healthy now, feel good and have tried to do some better training in the last couple of weeks.” Cairoli will start from pole position for the fourth time this season tomorrow.
The race seemed as though it was going to belong to Tim Gajser, it really did, then things began to unravel, so he was left circling with very little intensity. A rear-brake problem left him with no choice but to pull to one side and allow the leading four riders to pull clear. Questions were raised about whether he would even make it to the finish line at that point in the moto, as he slowed so much, but he managed to pick the pace back up again after getting demoted to fifth. The times that he was posting were not at the same level as they were earlier on, admittedly, but he stopped the bleeding and was running a respectable pace, hence why he held on for seventh.
“Today I enjoyed my riding in all sessions,” Gajser said in a team statement. “It felt good to take the holeshot in the qualifying race and soon enough I was able to put together a nice margin on second place. I found some very good lines which helped me ride very smooth. It’s a shame that the rear brake level bent, because I was unable to use it in the final laps of the moto and that cost me a few positions as well as the qualifying race win. I’m really looking forward to the two races, because I love this track and the bike is perfect, so I must thank the team as always for their great job. Hopefully the weather stays the same.”
Finishing seventh in the qualifying heat meant that Tim Gajser crossed the line with Jeffrey Herlings firmly in his sights. That does not sound too bad, does it? The problem is that Herlings actually crashed in turn two, re-joined the race in dead last and charged forward to that spot. It was a phenomenal ride that cannot leave his competition with much hope for tomorrow. It is just a shame that it was not a full-length moto, because it would have been extremely interesting to see what he could do with an extra ten minutes to play with. Fourteen seconds separated him from the eventual race winner at the chequered flag.
It could have been even better for Herlings too, had he not made a mistake at the halfway point and run off the track briefly. Sixth was actually the spot that he acquired in race one twelve months ago, following a straight-up duel with his competitors, which puts his ride today into perspective. Herlings still claimed the overall victory on that day as well! It is tough to bet against him for tomorrow, which is hardly breaking news, but if he suffers a similar issue on lap one then it is going to be one heck of a show. The last time that he finished this far down the order in qualifying was at the European Grand Prix in April, where he had that spectacular crash.
All eyes were on Herlings in that qualifying race and understandably so, but that meant that some great rides went unnoticed. Romain Febvre was simply phenomenal in the second half, as he recorded the best lap of the race on lap eight and charged all the way into second. The times that he recorded in that portion, when compared to Cairoli, paint the full picture and are featured in the table below. Herlings is chucked in there as well, so that his pace in traffic can also be examined. There are many elements to pay attention to. It is easy to see why the heat today left fans so ecstatic!
Antonio Cairoli |
Romain Febvre |
Jeffrey Herlings |
|
Lap 7 |
1:53.788 |
1:53.675 |
1:54.468 |
Lap 8 |
1:52.950 |
1:52.591 |
1:52.971 |
Lap 9 |
1:54.613 |
1:56.074 |
1:54.083 |
Lap 10 |
1:53.609 |
1:53.815 |
1:52.648 |
Lap 11 |
1:55.613 |
1:53.271 |
1:54.634 |
Lap 12 |
1:55.027 |
1:56.360 |
1:52.764 |
Max Anstie was equally as impressive and will undoubtedly contend for a spot on the podium tomorrow. Jeremy Seewer, who was a little further down the order, showed plenty of potential through the first half of the heat too, as he inched closer to the lead group and matched their times. It would be most interesting to see him grab a holeshot and then attempt to hold onto the race lead, as he may surprise a lot of pundits. Keeping Jeffrey Herlings at bay would obviously be a tall order. However, staying ahead of riders like Antonio Cairoli and Clement Desalle seems doable. It is about time that he climbed up onto the overall podium.
“It feels amazing to race at home,” Seewer said following the heat. “I live not far from here and, for Switzerland, this is a big event. Motocross is not too big in this country and we do not have too many opportunities to practice, so I just hope this event will change this a bit in the future. I felt really good all day and enjoyed it. I made a small mistake in the qualifying race and lost some positions. I was behind Tony, which went well, so I tried to enjoy it. I will try to do the same tomorrow; get a good rhythm, have a good start and then just enjoy the whole event.”
The MX2 class was not quite as gripping, but it was pleasant to welcome Hunter Lawrence back to the head of the field. Lawrence has had a rough time with injuries, hiccups and other problems that have forced him to accept mediocre results. The way that he rode today was reminiscent of how he looked at the Grand Prix of Patagonia-Argentina though, which was the last time that he was at one hundred percent. Finishing on the podium would be a major leap forward for the Australian star, but just imagine what a story it would be if he stands atop the box for the first time! Doing that could spice up the title chase as well.
Hunter Lawrence would have won the qualifying moto, his first of the year, had he not stalled his CRF250R. Jorge Prado took control of the race at that point and the race belonged to him from that point on. “It was a good qualifying race,” Prado said following the heat. “I could make a good start and a small gap, then I made a small mistake and crashed. It took a bit to get in my rhythm, but I could make good laps again and was feeling good. I am happy with the win and we will see how the races go tomorrow. I think, if you are inside of the top ten, it is still okay. I am first and can choose where I want to go. That is an advantage, for sure, and we will try to pick the best gate.”
A final note should go to Jago Geerts, who piloted a 2019 YZ250F in a race scenario for the first time today, as he had a vicious crash early on in the qualification heat and left with medics. It has now been confirmed that he sustained a broken collarbone in the spill, so it is likely that he will not return to action until the Grand Prix of The Netherlands in a month at the earliest. There is no timeline on his recovery at the moment though.
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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