Dutchman Jeffrey Herlings holds a significant advantage in the battle for the MXGP title after winning both races at the Grand Prix of Trentino. Herling was narrowly denied a sixth consecutive MXGP pole position during the timed practice but made a blistering start to the first race of the day. The Dutch rider soon passed race leader Jeremy Seewer and never looked in trouble as he cruised to his 11th victory of the season.
KTM team-mate Jorge Prado crashed on the downhill double but remounted to finish eighth, while Tony Cairoli fell on the first lap and pulled out of the moto with a painful upper leg.
In the second race, Herlings tangled with Tim Gajser on the start straight and rounded the first corner outside of the top ten. He then produced a display of accomplished and forceful riding to grab first place only minutes from the chequered flag.
Prado grabbed four points after finishing in 13th place overall, while Cairoli was on the floor once more on the first lap and could not complete the race distance.
The 1-1 scorecard for Herlings was his second rout of MXGP this year and moves him 24 points ahead of Romain Febvre in the battle for the title. Herlings, 27, said: “It wasn’t an easy one today and this is not an easy track for passing. The first moto was tough but I had to fight even more in the second one. I want to thank Red Bull KTM for their excellent work. I’m in very good shape but we never underestimate the competition.”
Prado, 20, said: “I gave everything I had. Even with a broken bone I was fighting for top five in the first moto. It was a pity about the crash with five minutes to go but I still managed to finish. I suffered a lot. I missed the start completely in the second moto and wasn’t happy about 17th but I cannot really fight in my situation at the moment. Hopefully it will be less painful on Wednesday.”
Cairoli, 35, said: “Not much to say. I was off in both races on the first lap through no fault of my own. The race start means so much here and all we can do is hope for better and try to be on the podium for the next two.”
Results MXGP Trentino 2021
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (1-1)
2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED), Yamaha (5-2)
3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda (4-3)
4. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki (3-4)
5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI), Yamaha (2-5)
Standings MXGP 2021 after 14 of 18 rounds
1. Jeffrey Herlings 555 points
2. Romain Febvre 531
3. Tim Gajser 528
4. Jorge Prado 457
5. Tony Cairoli 419