Steve Cox | September 8, 2019
Red Bull KTM’s defending MX GP World Champion, Jeffrey Herlings, finally returned to the top step of the podium at the penultimate round of the 2019 MX GP World Championships after spending most of the year out with injuries. Herlings went 1-1 on the day to take his only overall win of 2019, although there is still one race left to run, in China, next weekend.
In the MX2 class, it was Red Bull KTM’s current class champ Jorge Prado who went 1-1 on the day for the 13th time of 2019, out of 17 races.
Herlings Takes 2019 MX GP of Turkey
Red Bull KTM’s 2018 MX GP World Champion, Jeffrey Herlings, spent most of 2019 sidelined with injuries, but after returning to action at the Swedish GP (where he went DNF-4 in the results), he improved considerably in Turkey only one race later, going 1-1 on the day.
“It is getting better and better, in Sweden I wasn’t that prepared, but now just after three weeks on the bike, it is amazing what I can do,” Herlings said. “It has been a crazy weekend and I am super happy with my win. I had that line and I knew I had to make it perfect. I want to thank my mum the team and everyone who supported me and I wish to congratulate Glenn [Coldenhoff], he rode amazingly.”
Coldenhoff, Herlings’ teammate, went 3-2 on the day for second overall, which is actually his worst result of the last three races. He won two races ago in Italy (1-1), and again in Sweden (1-2), and was only topped by his teammate in Turkey after Herlings passed him on the last lap of moto two. With one round left, he sits fourth in points, just 11 behind Rockstar Husqvarna’s Gautier Paulin (who went 5-6 in Turkey).
“We are close to the end of the Championship and I really need those points as I still have a chance for third in the standings,” Coldenhoff said. “I’m pushing hard for that. I don’t like to get passed on the last lap but it’s really amazing to see two Dutch flags on the box so I am really happy.”
Former MX2 World Champ, Rockstar Husqvarna’s Pauls Jonass, was third overall on the day, making for the second podium in a row.
“We have been working hard with the team and it’s been a tough year, but finally I am feeling better and better and it’s nice to get back to back podiums,” Jonass said. “I made some mistakes but I feel good and look forward to the last GP in China.”
Newly crowned world champ, Honda’s Tim Gajser, was fourth overall on the day with a 6-3 score.
Prado Still Singing in Turkey
In MX2, it’s been nothing but Jorge Prado all year long. The Red Bull KTM MX2 World Champ continued this streak with yet another 1-1 showing in Turkey. He’s won all but two MX2 GPs overall this year, and one of those he sat out with an injury. On top of that, he’s only lost 5 motos all year, and two of those he sat out with an injury.
“I’m enjoying it, and the first race was very fun while the second race was rougher but I got the start, which is the key and I want to go to the next round and get another one,” Prado said. “I love winning GPs and hopefully we can do it again next weekend.”
Yamaha’s Jago Geerts took second overall in Turkey with a 2-5 score.
“It was a pretty good weekend, a first good race for second place and the second race I got another good start, but I wasn’t very comfortable, I finished fifth for second overall,” Geerts said. “I am happy with that.”
And the Netherlands might have another up-and-coming star on its hands, as young Kawasaki-mounted Roan van de Moosdijk – who is the newly crowned EMX250 Champ and is trained by fellow Dutch sandman Marc de Reuver – opened some eyes by taking his first-ever GP podium after going 5-3 for third overall.
“It is unbelievable, I had a strong qualifying race but the first race was tough then I battled with Adam Sterry and then crashed and finished in fifth,” van de Moosdijk said. “The second race was better and I worked my way to third, it was a long race for me, the longest in my career. I want to thank the team, my family, and Marc de Reuver.”
2019 MX GP of Turkey Results
2019 MX GP of Turkey Results
2019 MX GP of Turkey Results
2019 MX GP of Turkey Results
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