Race One:
Jeffrey Herlings did it again. Starting 10th, stuck in 5th for a long time then reeling in an 18 second gap to leader Prado while passing, Febvre, Gajser, Coldenhoff and then Prado to take bathe lead with three laps to go! Absolutely incredible performance again from Herlings that will live long in the memory.
Herlings said he’sstruggling back pain: “Worst start, I came from 10-15, was s a good moto. I am struggling with my back all week and not riding. I just need a better start in moto two!”
Jago Geerts took a good tenth in his comeback with Cairoli coming through the pack for 15th
Mewse and Vlaanderen went down in the first turn and had work to do. Mewse got to 24th, Vlaanderen 14th.
Race Two:
Jeffrey Herlings finally got decent start in third with Gajser and Glenn Coldenhoff ahead with Prado just behind in fourth and the battle was on! Herlings made a mistake dropping to fourth as Gajser took the lead and, before long, Prado and Herlings had also passed Coldenhoff. Gajser led for a while before Prado made the move followed by Herlings and then Herlings took the lead at the halfway point and was never headed again to do the double at home in Holland.
Gajset was staying with Prado until he went down with three laps to go and he had to do all he could to hold Coldenhoff back and keep his third on the podium- and he did it despite Coldenhoff throwing everything at Gajser on the last lap!
Herlings said: “It definitely didn’t come easy, worked my ass off. Luckily I finally had a good start in third. Had a good pace and made a mistake, almost went down and Jorge passed me. I followed them and when it was time to attack I attacked and made a 5/6 second gap where I felt comfortable and kept in under control. Jorge and Tim were really good, super proud of a 1-1 and GP victory 107.”
Gajset rode really good for a podium but his championship lead is only 9 points behind with four to go and Herlings hanging in there 35 back. Interestingly both Prado and Gajser made sure to say they like the tracks coming up! Mind games?
Antonio Cairoli was running top ten when he seemed to make a mistake and called it quits..but the Ducati is fast and so is the 39 year old legend!
Conrad Mewse survived turn one this time and started just inside the top ten eventually coming home 14th in a good ride just behind Jago Geerts who finished his first GP motos of the year at the third attempt and can now build from here.
Overall:
Updated championship standings:
