Herlings Dominates MXGP as Championship Battle Intensifies
In a commanding performance at the latest MXGP round, Jeffrey Herlings not only dominated the Qualifying Race but continued his momentum, recording the fastest time in the morning Warm-up—half a second faster than Tim Gajser. The top three featured Calvin Vlaanderen, who secured a strong position for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP.
Maxime Renaux secured the Fox Holeshot Award in race one, with Herlings closely following, while Gajser quickly maneuvered into third by the end of the first lap. Championship contender Lucas Coenen faced early challenges, starting in 12th but clawing his way to eighth, nearly challenging rival Romain Febvre, who struggled with errors.
As the race progressed, Herlings and Gajser kept Renaux within striking distance. Coenen faded to ninth after a series of physical setbacks, allowing Vlaanderen to secure a top-ten result. Jonass, who returned from injury, finished sixth—his best result to date.
Herlings made a late push, overtaking Renaux to clinch victory, with Gajser following closely, marking both riders’ best results since earlier season injuries. Febvre managed to secure fourth over Ruben Fernandez, further extending his lead over Coenen in the Championship standings.
In the second race, Coenen faced a dramatic setback, losing the front wheel early and restarting at the back of the pack. Meanwhile, Herlings seized the early lead, with Gajser and Febvre trailing. Fernandez then executed a decisive pass on Febvre for third on lap four.
Despite Coenen’s challenges—as he finished 14th—Renaux climbed to sixth in the second race, narrowly missing a podium finish. Overall, he finished fifth, securing his position in the Championship standings. Gajser’s strong push resulted in a second-place finish overall, his first podium since returning from injury.
The day concluded with Herlings as the standout performer, and Gajser recognized for his notable efforts, setting the stage for a crucial final round in Australia, with Febvre now 47 points clear of Coenen in the Championship race. Herlings’ win solidifies his status as a formidable contender in the series, amplifying the stakes as the season nears its conclusion.
