It was Jeffrey Herlings who led after the riders emerged from turn one – something that is rare! He had company in the form of Tim Gajser, Jorge Prado and Romain Febvre as the front four were all pretty close in an intense race.
Gajser hounded Herlings and then made a very decisive pass to get into the lead. Herlings ran off track and then Prado made a quick move on Herlings too.
Prado then threw everything at Gajser and got it close but the Slovenian then broke away to take a qualifying race win.
Herlings had to deal with Febvre but was able to do that to finish third.
Ruben Fernandez had a good ride in what is only his second GP back finishing a distant fifth ahead of Jeremy Seewer.
19 points now split Gajser and Prado heading into race day tomorrow.
MXGP Qualifying Race:
Championship Standings:
