Red Bull KTM Factory Racing commenced their 2020 FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship campaign with victory at a bright but wintery Matterley Basin in the UK. Jeffrey Herlings won the the British Grand Prix on his KTM 450 SX-F for the first round of twenty as Tom Vialle finished 2nd in the MX2 class with the KTM 250 SX-F having taken the first moto chequered flag of his young career.

The large and popular Matterley Basin circuit was hit by a variety of weather conditions, from incessant rain on Friday, to showers, strong winds and cold on Saturday to sunshine and bright conditions on Sunday. The track was rough, rutty and a decent technical challenge for the riders and a fine stage to open the 2020 season. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing lined-up with Tony Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings and Jorge Prado (with a combined total of fifteen titles) in MXGP and Tom Vialle as well as Rene Hofer in MX2.

All three MXGP riders made a fast start in the sunny first moto at Matterley Basin and it was Herlings who hit the front early and controlled the race until the chequered flag. Cairoli was a steady 4th in front of Clement Desalle while Prado rode to a solid debut MXGP inside the top ten to 9th.

Herlings could do little about the escaping Tim Gajser in the second moto once he passed Cairoli for 2nd place. The Dutchman kept a consistent pace to ensure a 1-2 for the day and confirm his overall triumph; the 87th of his career. Cairoli’s 3rd place was good enough for the same step of the rostrum – equalling Stefan Everts’ all-time record – and a satisfactory result considering it was his first Grand Prix since last summer and with the nagging doubt of a stretched right knee ligament. Jorge Prado claimed 12th for 10th place overall and 21 valuable points after precious little time riding his motorcycle and just three months after breaking his left femur.

Round two of MXGP takes place next weekend at the Eurocircuit near Eindhoven for the Grand Prix of the Netherlands.

Jeffrey Herlings: “The first race out of twenty and I was consistent: two good starts, led the whole first moto, got into third pretty quick behind Tony and took second. The track was sketchy and the sun was really low. It is still that time of the year where it gets dark quite early, so it was hard with the shadows. I didn’t want to take any risks and I was happy with second. It was a good weekend and I think we improved the bike over the winter because this was the first real test, let’s say. I am looking forward to Valkenswaard now and my home GP.”

Results MXGP Great Britain 2020
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (1-2)
2. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda (8-1)
3. Tony Cairoli (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (4-3)
4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI), Yamaha (2-8)
5. Mitch Evans (AUS), Honda (3-7)

STORY: Herlings & Vialle Celebrate Victory At Wet Dutch Grand Prix
STORY: Jeffrey Herlings Signs New KTM MXGP Contract

LINK: KTM

photos (c) Ray Archer