MXGP Qualifying Race Report: Benistant Leads Charge in Lugo
Lugo, Spain — In a competitive MXGP qualifying race held under dry conditions, Thibault Benistant of Honda HRC clinched victory, marking his third qualifying win of the season. Benistant executed a strong race strategy, overcoming pressure from his rival, Kay de Wolf, who finished second. Standing out in the field was Jago Geerts, who took the Holeshot before settling in for a third-place finish.
Qualifying Race Results
- Thibault Benistant (FRA, Honda HRC) – 23:54.358
- Kay de Wolf (NED, Nestaan Husqvarna) – +0:10.010
- Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha) – +0:13.864
- Liam Everts (BEL, Nestaan Husqvarna) – +0:15.586
- Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda HRC) – +0:17.753
- Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM) – +0:18.690
Coenen initially showed promise, having recorded the fastest times in free and timed practice, but faced setbacks during the race. A collision early on impeded his momentum, resulting in a recovery to sixth position. Meanwhile, De Wolf capitalized on his consistent pace to maintain his championship lead over Laengenfelder, extending it to five points.
Championship Standings
- Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki) – 339 points
- Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda) – 305 points
- Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM) – 294 points
- Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic) – 252 points
- Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha) – 225 points
Technical Insights
Beneath the surface, riders faced various challenges, particularly in the wave section. Benistant noted the difficulty of balancing speed and strategic defensive riding against De Wolf, stating, “If you ride too defensive, you lose speed.” He executed a race plan that allowed him to exploit track conditions effectively, securing his position at the front.
Andrea Adamo, another title contender, struggled significantly, finishing thirteenth and now trailing De Wolf by 19 points heading into the main races.
Context and Implications
The outcome of this qualifying race sets the stage for an intriguing lineup as the MXGP of Spain approaches. With competitive tensions high, tomorrow’s races promise to be pivotal in the ongoing championship battle.
Join us for the main events tomorrow as the top talents of motocross vie for supremacy in Lugo.
