Published on 6 September 2016

MX2 & MXGP: Who impressed at Charlotte?

MX2

American pride was on the line at Charlotte and Cooper Webb didn’t disappoint in front of his home fans! After Herlings passed him and pulled away in the first moto, Webb came out swinging in the second moto. He was buried outside the top fifteen after a horrendous start but he ended up winning. A fantastic ride by the American and he was happy he contested and supported the American GP. Cooper told MXLarge, “In the end it was a really bad ass race and I think that was the best I have ever ridden. To end my 250 career with that result and in front of my home crowd was really awesome”. Unfortunately, Cooper won’t race Glen Helen this weekend but he is testing the 450 and will be ready to represent America at the Motocross of Nations!

Eighteen year old, Austin Forkner said before the GP that he thinks he would be able to beat Herlings. Guess what? He actually did! Austin crashed out of the first moto whilst in the lead which meant he had to settle for third. He also led the second moto before Webb made a move on him. Herlings was all over him and thought he made a move stick but he just couldn’t get passed so Austin crossed the line in second. Austin made a good account for himself this weekend and will be a contender for the 2017 AMA National championship. His season isn’t over yet as he races Glen Helen this weekend where he will go up against Herlings once again.  Jeremy Martin who will make his Geico Honda debut, that should provide some great racing!

Things are starting to click for HSF Logistics rider, Calvin Vlaanderen. He had some bad luck at the start of the year and then picked up an injury which halted his progress. However, he loves the sand and has put some good results in at the sand GP’s. He brought that confidence to Charlotte and ended up fifth overall. I would say that is the best he has ever rode in those types of conditions. With a full winter behind him Calvin could be a rider to look out for in 2017.

Another American also impressed at his home GP as Thomas Covington ended up fourth overall. Thomas who of course races the MX2 World Championship would have been keen to show his home fans that moving over to the MX2 World Championship has made him a better rider and he certainly didn’t disappoint.  Thomas was happy with his weekend and wants to end the season well in Glen Helen, “Overall, the bike was working great and my riding was smooth throughout the day. I’m now looking forward to the final GP in Glen Helen. I know this track really well, so hopefully I can run up with the top three”.

Congratulations to Jeffrey Herlings on clinching his third MX2 World Championship. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to win his sixty-first GP but he will be out for revenge and to show the American’s whose boss this weekend at Glen Helen.

MXGP

A brilliant day for Eli Tomac as he went 1-1 at his home GP. The first moto was very comfortable as he even crashed but still crossed the line with a twenty-two seconds advantage. However, he didn’t get the second moto all his own way! Gajser led the way in the early stages but then crashed which allowed Tomac to get to the front with a six seconds advantage. Gajser was able to keep it around that gap for most the moto to his credit. But nonetheless it was a great display by Tomac. It is going to be extremely hard to stop him at Glen Helen this weekend, a track that he knows like the back of his hand!

Congratulations to MXGP rookie on winning the Tim Gajser world championship on his first time of asking. A fantastic season for the Gariboldi Honda rider and quite remarkably he has only missed the podium twice before heading to Glen Helen. Not only has he been the fastest but he’s been the most consistent. During the first moto you could tell he was nervous and took no risks, he just wanted to clinch the title! He rode much better in the second moto and was riding a similar speed to Tomac. Now he is world champion he has zero pressure at Glen Helen and can just have fun!

Who would have thought that Jeremy Van Horebeek would get an overall podium at the American GP? Well, he surprised and ended up third overall. There is nothing wrong with JVH’s speed, but he needs to be more aggressive. In the first moto he caught Barcia but just couldn’t make the move for second. JVH will be delighted to be back on the podium for the second time this year after Thailand, they aren’t exactly tracks to his liking either. If he can work on being more aggressive and mentally stronger then he can definitely be on the podium more often. It must be quite frustrating as he has the speed!

If there was an award for the most improved rider from the start of the year to now then it would probably go to Glenn Coldenhoff. The Hoff struggled at the start of the year but he has made some great progress and looks much more comfortable on the bike. As the season is drawing to a close Glenn is in top form and if he can build on this over winter then the 2017 season could be exciting for the Dutch rider. Holland are looking awfully good for the Nations, with Glenn in this form could they podium?

Article: Andy McKinstry

Pic: Youthstream