Rockstar Energy Suzuki Clement Desalle claimed the opening overall win of the 2013 FIM Motocross World Championships, underneath the floodlights of Losail’s motocross track in Qatar.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Ken De Dycker led early in race one, but Desalle was on the move, coming fast from behind, and by lap 14 the Belgian rider had put together strong consistent laps to obtained the lead.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli suffered from a bad start, before putting in an impressive performance to come from the rear of the pack all the way to third at the chequered flag.

In the MX2 class it was Red Bull KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings who put on a dominant performance for the Qatar crowd, the Dutch rider winning the moto by a margin of over 30 seconds.

Fellow Dutch rider Glenn Coldenhoff, who led the race early after scoring the Get Athena Holeshot, remained strong in second place, holding off advances from the rest of the pack.

Behind the Dutch duo of Herlings and Coldenhoff it was Monster Energy Yamaha’s Christophe Charlier who rounded out the MX2 moto one podium in third place.

Australia’s Dean Ferris put in a great season opening performance in Qatar. Riding his Monster Energy Yamaha to a strong fifth place MX2 moto one finish on debut for his new team.

After both of the MX1 and MX2 motos finished up, it was time for the all-new Super Final. This new format incorporates both the MX1 and MX2 riders in the same race, putting the best riders from each class in an exciting head-to-head battle.

Desalle took the Super Final holeshot aboard his Suzuki, before defending world champion Cairoli made his way through the pack and snatched the lead away from the Belgian.

The Belgian rode a consistent race and he finished second in front of Kawasaki Racing’s Gautier Paulin, who suffered a sub-par start, but managed to move from his way from sixth to third.

The fourth position of the Super Final went for Honda World Motocross’ Evgeny Bobryshev, who rode a very solid moto. The Russian rode third most of the race before being passed by Paulin with four laps remaining.

CLS Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Tommy Searle recovered from an average start to make his way into fifth, rounding out the Super Final top five.

Herlings was the top MX2 rider in the Super Final with a seventh place finish, followed by Australia’s Ferris who was the second ranked MX2 rider in 13th place.

Overall it was Desalle who scored the MX1 round victory over Cairoli in second, Paulin in third, Bobryshev in fourth and Searle rounding out the top five.

In the MX2 class it was Herlings who took home the opening round overall victory, with Australia’s Ferris taking an impressive second overall, followed by Romain Febvre, Coldenhoff and Charlier rounding out the top five.

The 2013 FIM Motocross World Championships will now make its way to Thialand for round two of the series on 10 March.

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