Herlings wins USGP qualifier!

Jeffrey Herlings took the win in the MXGP qualifier after another brilliant battle with Antonio Cairoli in the first ten minutes of the race.

Once Herlings finally made a pass stick the Italian put it in cruise mode and settled for second but it was Herlings who once again proved to be the fastest. Romain Febvre rode very well in the sand for third.

It was bad luck for Max Anstie who crashed on lap one but was up to 13th and catching Eli Tomac but rode off the track in agony holding his wrist without even crashing, worrying his team and his GB MXoN team manager.

Eli Tomac started 15th but could only get up to 12th in a disappointing race that saw him discover the depth in MXGP with a best lap 4.8 seconds slower that race winner Herlings. But US champ Tomac will no doubt re-group and try again tomorrow.

Justin Barcia was forced out of the race with a machine issue after crashing with Gautier Paulin.