Jeffrey Herlings | Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
Red Bull KTM riders had a splendid weekend in the pre-season international motocross as Jeffrey Herlings and Tom Vialle had to go through the wet and torrid conditions in England to come out as victors in the MX1 and MX2 classes of the Hawkstone International. Rene Hofer, on the other hand, came in third place in the Mx2 podium whereas Toni Cairoli secured 2nd and 3rd place in two races in Mantova for the third and final round of the Internazionali D’Italia.
Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
“I felt good today. It was a shame to have that start crash in the first moto but I still came back from last to third and almost got Glenn [Coldenhoff]. Then I holeshot and led the whole way in the second. It was about survival and there was only really one line to use, so passing the lappers was tricky. Anyway, we got it done. It was useful practice because Matterley could be the same!” says Herlings as quoted from KTM Factory Racing.
Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
“The first race of the season and we didn’t expect much but both races on the podium was OK. We know where we need to work, and we are still quite far away from our form but it was good to get a race done before the first Grand Prix. Now we have clear ideas.”
Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
“It was a really hard day with the weather and the rain did the track no favours. The first race was difficult because I was fourth and had a lot of water in my goggles. I had to stop and change and restarted tenth but came back to sixth: I was really happy with the bike and I was feeling good so the result was OK. I had the holeshot in the second race, which was only twenty minutes, but could make a lead. I’m really happy. We’ve done two sand races, and now we go to hard-pack with LaCapelle next weekend. It will be a good race to do before Matterley and to get some familiar sensations on the bike.”
Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
“Quite good today. I’m quite happy with my mud riding. I almost had the holeshot in the first race. But still managed to take the lead in the second corner which was important to save my goggles. I led all the way with two laps to go and felt happy with second in those conditions. I didn’t start so well in the second moto – top six I think. Then I had a small crash so just rode as well as I could to the finish. Race by race I am getting more comfortable and confident.”
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