Cairoli, Searle Share Belgian MX GP Wins

Cycle News Staff | June 18, 2012

Antonio Cairoli and Tommy Searle came away the big winners at the Belgian Grand Prix in Bastogne, Belgium, June 17. Cairoli, on the Red Bull KTM, won both MX1 motos, while Searle, on the Team Floride Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki, traded moto wins and 1-2 moto finished with Red Bull KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings to get the overall win.

Cairoli Belgium MX.

Antonio Ciaroli

Cairoli led pretty much from start to finish in the first moto but had to work a little harder in the second moto, where he took the lead on the eighth lap before riding away to victory. For Cairoli, it was his fourth win of the year and the 47th of his career. He is now just three wins of matching Joel Robert.

Second in MX2 went to Rockstar Energy Suzuki World rider Clement Desalle who went 3-3 on the day.

Third overall went to CP377 Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel. Pourcel had a bad start in moto one and worked his way up to fifth before it was all over. Pourcel made up for it in the second moto by nabbing the holeshot but ultimately gave way to Cairoli for second.

Kevin Strijbos, on the HM Plant KTM, made use of two good starts for one of his best finishes of the year. The Belgian went 4-4 for fourth overall.

Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin finished fifth overall. The Frenchman came from behind to finish second in the first moto but a crash held him back to ninth in the second moto.

In the MX2 class, Searle and Herlings continued their battle for the series points lead. After two close races, Searle and Herlings left Belgium in the same position as they came after matching points on the day, with both riders taking 1-2 moto finishes. Searle won the tie-breaking second moto with a start-to-finish win over Herlings.

Third overall with a pair of three’s went to Belgian Jeremy van Horebeek on the Red Bull KTM. Fellow Belgian Joel Roelants (Kawasaki) and Swiss rider Arnaud Tonus (Yamaha) rounded out the top five overall.

Herlings leads Searle by 24 points in the MX2 championship, while Cairoli leads Desalle by a comfortable 47 points in the MX1 championship.