Cycle News Staff | August 5, 2019
Tim Gajser, of the Honda HRC factory team, is poised to win his second career MXGP Championship after claiming his ninth GP victory of the year, the latest coming at the MXGP of Belgium at Lommel, August 4.
Gajser Wins 2019 MXGP Of Belgium Lommel
Gajser took the overall victory with 2-2 results and now leads his nearest rival in the championship, Jeremy Seewer, by 187 points. The Slovenian, Gajser, can clinch the 2019 MXGP Championship with a 13-place finish or better in the first moto at the next round in Imola, Italy.
Gajser was the early leader in moto one but Yamaha’s Romain Febvre, who won both MXGP motos the week before, got around him and took over.
Febvre ran off with the moto win, taking the checkered flag seven seconds ahead of Gajser.
Glenn Coldenhoff (KTM), Seewer (Yamaha), and Arnaud Tonus (Yamaha) filled out the top five.
In race two, Gajser again got off to a fast start but this time it was Great Britain’s Max Anstie who settled into the lead.
It was a wild day for Anstie who didn’t even make it to the first corner in moto one after crashing hard down the start chute and exited the race with a shoulder injury. But the KTM rider came back in race two and looked determined to grab the win. After taking the lead from Gajser, Anstie crashed again but came back to pass Gajser for a second time and ran off with the moto win, which was the first of the season for the Husky rider.
Gajser, who didn’t want any part of Anstie and knew he had the overall in the bag, cruised to the finish in second ahead of Coldenhoff, Febvre, and Seewer.
“I had fun today, and it is weird saying that in the sand for me,” Gajser said. “I had two good races, and I let Max pass because he was faster, then he made a mistake, and I got him back, then he passed me again. They told me if I was second, I would have won the overall. I am very happy with this GP win, as I didn’t’ expect it. I expected a top five would be good, and to win here is really special. We have worked in the sand in the winter and it really worked out. The track was rough, and it was easy to make a mistake. I will try and make a good start, and see if I can stay with these guys, but if I can’t I will settle for the points. It is always mental, coming here in Lommel, we know the race will be tough, so deep, and so bumpy and I did my best.”
Febvre ended up second overall. “I struggled at the beginning of the first race a bit,” said the Frenchman, Febvre. “Then 10 minutes before the end, I lost a bit my rhythm. I was super happy to have won the first race. In second race, I ended fourth for a second overall. I couldn’t pass [Jeremy] Van Horebeek [early on] and Coldenhoff, and I lost my rhythm. I am a little bit disappointed. I didn’t have so much energy at the end.”
2019 Grand Prix of Belgium (Lommel) Video Highlights
In MX2, Red Bull KTM’s Jorge Prado won again. The Spaniard topped both motos for his 23rd and 24th moto wins of the year, and the 12th straight and 13th overall victory of the season. With four rounds left, Prado now enjoys and even larger points lead over Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Thomas Kjer Olsen, of Denmark, who crashed out of moto one and didn’t return. (Olsen returned in moto two and finished fifth.) Prado heads Olsen by 124 points with four rounds to go.
“Lommel is a very tough race and for sure you need to come here mentally ready – physically as well – but also relaxed and with the knowledge you are going to suffer,” Prado said. “I knew the start was going to be key, and I made two good ones and had good flow through both motos. I had a big lead and was going through the backmarkers when I had a small crash, but it was nothing major. I think the bumps were smoother today, but it was still very rough. Another perfect weekend.”
The Belgian fans had their hopes resting on fellow countryman Jago Geerts (Yamaha), and he looked good for a podium after finishing second in moto one. He was running near the front in moto two when his bike quit.
Dutchman Calvin Vlaanderen (Honda) ended up finishing second in the moto and took second overall with 7-2 results.
Third overall went to Brit Ben Watson (Yamaha), followed by Tom Vialle (KTM), and Adam Sterry (Kaw). CN
2019 FIM Motocross World Championship
Round 14
Grand Prix of Belgium (Lommel)
RESULTS: August 2, 2019
MXGP
- Tim Gajser (Hon) 2-2
- Romain Febvre (Yam) 1-4
- Glenn Coldenhoff (KTM) 3-3
- Jeremy Seewer (Yam) 4-5
- Jeremy Van Horebeek (Hon) 6-7
MX2
- Jorge Prado (KTM) 1-1
- Calvin Vlaanderen (Hon) 7-2
- Ben Watson (Yam) 5-3
- Tom Vialle (KTM) 4-4
- Adam Sterry (Kaw) 3-6
Click here for complete results.