It was Ruben Fernandez who was leading the way on the first lap and the Spaniard was looking superb around the rugged circuit.
Romain Febvre had a disaster off the start and was well outside the top fifteen so had a lot of work to do.
Herlings managed to get a good start and was sitting in second before Gajser put the pressure on and got into second. The Slovenian caught Fernandez but towards the end the Spaniard pulled away – Gajser perhaps settled for second?
Febvre was riding superb on his Kawasaki and got into fourth before a crash – meaning he had to make more passed – he got back up to fifth behind the impressive Andrea Bonacorsi. Maxime Renaux had a lonely ride for third.
Herlings was battling with arm pump and ended up with seventh in a Swiss sanchwich with Seewer sixth and Guillod eighth.
Lucas Coenen won’t be happy with his eleventh!
MXGP qualifying race:
Updated championship standings:
