MXGP is back in Europe after their lone round in the Americas prior to Des Nations in the fall. As the most recent round in Argentina, the GP of Portugal was the first stop in the country in some time, since 2019 to be exact. With Jeffrey Herlings and Romain Febvre still sidelined, no one has yet to answer the dominance of Tim Gajser so far. The No. 243 has averaged a 1-2/2-1 through three rounds with three Grand Prix wins. The rock-solid Jago Geerts meanwhile took the MX2 points lead aboard his Monster Energy Yamaha in Argentina and hoped to retain it in the return to Europe.
Be sure to catch up on all of our Motocross coverage.
Injury Updates
In regards to the two big injuries in the MXGP class, there is an update on the Febvre front, and it’s not a good one. The former World Champion’s leg has healed improperly and will need further surgery as a result. Febvre had been back on the bike recently after some physical therapy, but that of course now will come to a stop. Here is what he had to say on Saturday.
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As for the Flying Dutchman, Herlings’ return is likely more imminent. A few weeks ago on Instagram, he simply stated “Matter of time…” with a picture of him on the bike from earlier in the year. Although it kills the yearly ‘Herlings to AMA Nationals’ charade, The Bullet could realistically get started on his MXGP season here soon. Likely not next weekend, but perhaps either Kegums or Maggiora further on down.
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Finnally, we get to the Nestaan Husqvarna team, which saw both of their 250 riders, Kay De Wolf and Roan Van De Moosdijk, go down back in Argentina. After suffering a concussion, De Wolf was good for this weekend, while Van De Moosdijk won’t be on the gate for a while. The Dutchman suffered multiple injuries, including a broken collarbone, and fractured wrist, the latter of which does not require surgery. Notable as both riders are prime candidates for the MX2 spot on the Dutch Des Nations squad.
MX2 Class Recap
Moto 1
Mikkel Haarup took the opening holeshot on Sunday, taking a wide exit in turn one to do so. Mattia Guadagnini got the lead up the ensuing hill, before crashing in spectacular fashion, but luckily was not injured. Geerts and Tom Vialle after sub-optimal starts were able to get up to the front, more so in the case of the latter. In the middle of this surge, Geerts ended up going over the bars going into a corner, losing nearly 20 spots as a result, a catastrophic turn of events for the points leader. Even as the Belgian made it into ninth, Vialle picked up a monster Moto win to kick off the day.
Moto 2
Kevin Horgmo aboard his KX250 was able to secure his first holeshot of the season over Isak Gifting, Haarup, and Geerts. The F&H Kawasaki rider did rather well for himself in this Moto, leading close to the opening 10 laps here. Taking the lead from Horgmo would be Vialle, who had a big problem emerging in the proverbial rear view in the form of Geerts. He was on a similar run as he was on in the early stages of Moto 1, only this time he kept it upright.
Near the 10 minute to go mark, Geerts made a nice move for the lead over Vialle, going outside on an option corner, then never looked back. A 9-1 for last year’s championship runner-up wouldn’t be good enough for the GP win, but it was great damage control. Vialle however makes up some ground in the points with a 1-2.
MX2 Class Top 10 Results
1st No. 28 Tom Vialle 1-2
2nd No. 11 Mikkel Haarup 2-4
3rd No. 93 Jago Geerts 9-1
4th No. 74 Kay De Wolf 3-6
5th No. 24 Kevin Horgmo 8-3
6th No. 80 Andrea Adamo 5-7
7th No. 198 Thibault Benistant 7-8
8th No. 101 Mattia Guadagnini 12-5
9th No. 426 Conrad Mewse 4-14
10th No. 38 Stephen Rubini 6-13
MXGP Class Recap
Moto 1
By a matter of inches, Henry Jacobi stole the first MXGP class holeshot over Jorge Prado. The holeshot master however found himself leading by the time the field hit turn two, with Glenn Coldenhoff and Brian Bogers in tow. Bogers was looking especially sporty on Sunday, given that he missed Argentina with a dislocated shoulder. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Maxime Renaux had himself a rough day. The Monster Yamaha rider crashed out of seventh late in this Moto, but only lost four spots in the end as a result. Prado was able to stay in front nearly wire to wire here, with Bogers in second, Gajser in third.
Moto 2
Prado took home the second ‘GP class holeshot, while he and Gajser took off into the sunset to duke it out for the provisional win. Prado was able to successfully fend off any challenges in the first Moto, but that would not be the case in Moto 2. On lap seven, Gajser made a big move, sending his Honda deep into a wide corner to get by the GasGas rider, in what ended up being the Moto-winning move. Moto being the keyword, as the third in Moto 1 ultimately decided things for the points leader, leaving him one spot shy of starting off 2022 4-for-4. For Prado, this is just his fifth career Grand Prix win on a 450, and just his first aboard a GasGas machine.
MXGP Class Top 10 Results
1st No. 61 Jorge Prado 1-2
2nd No. 243 Tim Gajser 3-1
3rd No. 189 Brian Bogers 2-4
4th No. 259 Glenn Coldenhoff 4-3
5th No. 41 Pauls Jonass 7-5
6th No. 91 Jeremy Seewer 5-7
7th No. 10 Calvin Vlaanderen 8-6
8th No. 70 Ruben Fernandez 6-9
9th No. 426 Alberto Forato 10-8
10th No. 89 Jeremy Van Horebeek 9-10
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