News 3 Sep 2018

MXGP domination continues for Herlings at Turkish grand prix

Covington tops MX2 as Australia's Lawrence narrowly misses the podium.

Source: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings has continued to dominate the 2018 MXGP World Championship, lodging yet another 1-1 scorecard at the weekend’s 18th round in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.

Herlings was unstoppable as he clinched two commanding wins, extending his championship lead out to 95 points as just two rounds remain in the 20-stop series.

Former world champion Tim Gajser (Honda HRC) clawed his way into second overall with 3-2 race results, which was enough to edge out Clement Desalle (Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing) in third. The top five was rounded out by Gautier Paulin (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) and Jeremy van Horbeek (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing).

Defending champion Antonio Cairoli (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was eighth overall with a 2-15 scorecard after crashing in the early stages of race two, as Australian Todd Waters (Honda HRC) was 16th overall with 16-14 moto results.

In the MX2 category, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington stormed to victory with a moto win to his name, while reigning champion Pauls Jonass (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Thomas Kjer Olsen (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) concluded the top three.

Aussie contender Hunter Lawrence (114 Motorsport Honda) was equal on points for third, however was credited fourth on countback ahead of Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Team’s Ben Watson. Points leader Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was sixth overall following a clash with teammate and rival Jonass in the opening affair before struggling to come to terms with the circuit in the final encounter.

The MXGP World Championship will now head to Assen in The Netherlands on 16 September for the penultimate round of the series.

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