Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ruled both MXGP and MX2 classes at a damp and dark Grand Prix of the Netherlands and the second round of twenty in the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship thanks to Jeffrey Herlings and Tom Vialle. Copious rainfall created a rough and treacherous Eurocircuit in Valkenswaard south of Eindhoven for the second round of 2020 MXGP.
In MXGP Jeffrey Herlings got back to winning ways on home territory after missing the Dutch GP in 2019. With moto tallies of 2-1 he shared the same points total as Tim Gajser but ruled the final event standings courtesy of his second race result. The 25-year old Dutchman maintains his grip on the red plate as MXGP series leader after his second victory of the season.
Jeffrey Herlings: “This was one of the most difficult Valkenswaard wins. Tim did a great job but it was important for us to think about the overall than the 1-1 and to not lose points. This was a good GP for us. Going to Argentina I hope we can find some good weather! It has been two in a row now with rain! We’ll try to make the best of the situation there and go again for a podium spot.”
In MX2 Tom Vialle triumphed for his second career Grand Prix victory and made sure of his spoils in Holland with a commanding second moto win. The Frenchman used the power of the works KTM 250 SX-F to gain both holeshots on Sunday. He was passed for the lead by local favourite Jago Geerts in the first race but escaped to take the chequered flag in the second. Vialle’s results mean he leads the MX2 FIM World Championship for the first time and at the start of just his second season in Grand Prix.
Tom Vialle: “A really good weekend for me and I’m really happy with the result. I took two holeshots and led almost the whole moto but then I had a small problem with my goggles and I didn’t want to take too many risks. I was really motivated for the second moto and went full gas in the first laps to make a gap. I was quite far ahead by the end. I’m happy to have the red plate. We still have a long way to go, and now I’m looking forward to Argentina.”
Rene Hofer showed his fast adaptation to the rigours of MX2 by classifying 4th in the first race at Valkenswaard. An early crash in the next sprint required a pitstop and led to several small errors that forced the Austrian out of the points. Hofer was 9th for the day.
Round three of MXGP takes place at the popular circuit of Neuquen for the Grand Prix of Patagonia-Argentina on March 22nd.
Results MXGP Netherlands 2020
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (2-1)
2. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda (1-2)
3. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU), Husqvarna (3-3)
4. Tony Cairoli (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (7-5)
5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL), Honda (8-6)
Results MX2 Netherlands 2020
1. Tom Vialle (FRA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (2-1)
2. Maxime Renaux (FRA) Yamaha (3-3)
3. Jago Geerts (BEL), Yamaha (1-7)
4. Jed Beaton (AUS), Husqvarna (6-2)
5. Ben Watson (GBR), Yamaha (5-4)
STORY: Jeffrey Herlings Wins 2020 MXGP Opener In Great Britain
STORY: Jeffrey Herlings Signs New KTM MXGP Contract
photos (c) Ray Archer