Cycle News Staff | July 28, 2019
Monster Energy Yamaha’s Romain Febvre captured his first MXGP overall victory since 2016 after winning both motos at the MXGP of the Czech Republic at Toket, July 28. It was a good day for the Monster Energy Yamaha team with Febvre’s teammate Jeremy Seewer getting on the podium in third, and Gautier Paulin making it three Yamahas in the top five overall. For Seewer, it was his fourth trip to the podium this year.
Febvre Returns To The Top At MXGP Of The Czech Republic
Honda’s Tim Gajser went 2-2 to claim second overall, but he remains well in charge of the 2019 FIM Motocross Grand Prix Championship with five rounds left.
Seewer took the holeshot in both MXGP motos, but Febvre wasted little time getting to the front.
Gajser also claimed the number-two position early on in both motos but couldn’t reel in the flying Yamaha rider, Febvre, who seemed to be in a league of his own on this day.
“I feel amazing,” Febvre said after all was said and done. “The whole weekend has been good for me. Right from the beginning, my speed has been good, and I managed to go 1-1. I am really happy. It has been a long road back to victory and not an easy one; many tough GPs and some injuries. We are back!
“A victory you can’t describe,” Febvre added. “I stalled the bike in the second race, and Tim closed the gap, and I opened the gap [back up]. We had a good start in the first race. I was second behind my teammate [Seewer], and I passed him quickly. He was following me, but I was comfortable, and I didn’t take pressure from them.”
This was Febvre’s 13th career overall MXGP win.
Gajser, who had been a dominant force as of late, admitted that he just didn’t feel comfortable all day.
“The track was really tough,” Gajser said. “It was hard and slick, so I didn’t feel so comfortable on the track, but I’m quite happy with how the motos turned out. I took two good starts, and I was riding smart, and I didn’t want to push too much because it was easy to make a mistake.
“Overall it was a good weekend, and I’m happy I could give all the Slovenian fans something to cheer about,” Gajser added.
Gajser enjoys a comfortable 177-point lead over Seewer in the MXGP Championship.
Honda rider Jeremy Van Horebeek was fifth overall.
MXGP of the Czech Republic at Loket Video Highlights
In the MX2, class was business as usual for Red Bull KTM’s Jorge Prado who took another overall win to extend his points lead to 90 over Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Thomas Kjer Olsen, who was third overall on the day.
Prado dominated both motos to increase his moto-win tally to 22 this season.
“It was unbelievable,” the Spaniard, Prado, said of his day. “Another two solid races, and I enjoyed getting back to Europe and winning after the Asian rounds. I felt way better in the second race, got a good gap and pushed to get it home. Last year, I got the red plate here, so it was nice to come back.”
Kawasaki rider Henry Jacobi of Germany grabbed second overall via two strong motos. He went 2-3 to edge out Olsen’s 3-4.
“I got a third in the qualification race on Saturday,” said Jacobi, “and I was lucky with the second in the first race, and then [I got] third in the second race [which] was enough for a podium finish. Adam was too quick in the second one.”
Jacobi was talking about Adam Sterry (Kawasaki) of Great Britain who took second place in the second moto and sixth place in the first moto to nab fourth overall for the day.
Yamaha’s Jago Geerts of Belgium rounded out the top five overall.
Prado’s teammate Tom Vialle crashed out of the first moto but blasted to the font of the pack in the second moto, but he was still feeling the effects of his crash in the first moto and slipped back to seventh.
The GP racers will be in action again next weekend for the MXGP of Belgium at Lommel. CN
2019 FIM Motocross World Championship
MXGP of the Czech Republic
(Round 13)
Loket, Czech Republic
RESULTS: July 28, 2019
MXGP
- Romain Febvre (Yam) 1-1
- Tim Gajser (Hon) 2-2
- Jeremy Seewer (Yam) 3-3
- Gautier Paulin (Yam) 4-4
- Jeremy Van Horebeek (Hon) 7-6
MX2
- Jorge Prado (KTM) 1-1
- Henry Jacobi (Kaw) 2-3
- Thomas Kjer Olsen (Hus) 3-4
- Adam Sterry (Kaw) 6-2
- Jago Geerts (Yam) 5-6
Click here for complete results.