Red Bull KTM factory riders Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings both launched their bids for 2012 World Championship titles in MX1 and MX2 respectively on Easter Monday at the first GP of the 2012 World Championship season in Valkenswaard.
Both Cairoli on the KTM 350 SX-F and Herlings on the KTM 250 SX-F took double moto wins for maximum points in a display of near perfect riding in the soft wet sand of this Dutch circuit. It was also a solid day for the other riders in the factory team with Ken de Dycker of Belgium standing in for the injured Max Nagl finishing overall sixth. Herlings’ two MX2 teammates Jeremy van Horebeek and Jordi Tixier finished overall 4-5.
While Cairoli was his usual stylish self, the day perhaps belonged to Jeffrey Herlings, the Dutch teenager who put on a stunning display of sand riding at his home circuit at Valkenswaard. He was 51 seconds ahead of the field at the end of the first moto, lapping up to seventh place and 37 seconds ahead in the second moto, lapping up to sixth place. While the undisputed best sand rider in the World championship series, Herlings now has to put his head down and prove he is just as strong on other surfaces. It was the third season in a row that Herlings has won in Valkenswaard.
MX2 Jeremy van Horebeek of Belgium missed the podium by one place, he did well to be twice fourth on a surface that is not his favorite on a day when riders had to contend with stinging rain and restricted visibility. Valkenswaard was also good for the team’s rookie signing Jordi Tixier of France who exceeded his pre season desire to finish top ten over the first half of the 2012 competition. Tixier was 7-6 in the individual motos for overall fifth.
Cairoli turned in two near perfect motos on what he says is his favorite track to pick up yet another red plate for his collection and he had a chance to put his experience to the test in the second moto. He came out of the start in fourth place and quickly tucked behind settled into third on the back of Clement DeSalle and Steven Frossard. He then waited his chance to overtake them while they expended energy fighting against each other for the lead. Once Tony hit the front he stretched out the advantage and at the checkered flag he was a very comfortable 13.5 seconds ahead of the dueling pair that followed. Near the end of the second moto it also looked like DeDycker would finish overall fourth but finally finished with a 5-6 moto results and overall sixth, a result that satisfied the team.
Tony Cairoli: “I just rode a smart race with not so many mistakes. I had a good speed and also good fitness levels so everything was good to take the won. Riding in the sand is just fun for me and I don’t really get tired. Now I look forward to see what my speed is like on hard pack!”
Jeffrey Herlings: I knew was going to be fast and that no one could stay with me if I was riding well. But although I rode well my starts weren’t that good even if I managed to make up the ground I lost. I think in Bulgaria (next GP) if I ride well, stay healthy and make a good start I can there win too. We’ll do our best. I know the team is behind me. I have a good bike so it all comes down to me.”
KTM Head of Motorsport Pit Beirer was at Valkenswaard for the season’s opener and expressed satisfaction with the factory team’s results. “It was a difficult race, Valkenswaard in this condition,” he said, thanking the team for their efforts. “It was just the very first beginning, the very first step. The season will be long and its now important to stay concentrated. To have the GP winners in both classes is a great season opener. Let’s keep on pushing.”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX1 Team Manager Claudio de Carli: “As usual I can say once again that we are a great team. It is only the first GP so now we have to keep on working. There can be difficult situations for us but we are strong and united and we will try to do out best again. We have also Ken (de Dycker) who is new since only one week. We tried to give him everything we could and we could already see great results great results from him.”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX2 Team Manager Stefan Everts: “Jeffrey is in the lead with 50 points, we have Jeremy on fourth with 36 points and Jordi is fifth so three of the factory riders are in the top five and that’s a big plus to start the opening season. In MX1 we have Antonio with 50 and Ken now on sixth place with 31 points. Now we have a few days off to be fresh for Bulgaria and let’s kick ass there.”
The next GP is in Bulgaria in two week’s time
MX1 Results
1, Tony Cairoli, Italy, KTM
2, Clement Desalle, Belgium, Suzuki
3, Steven Frossard, France, Yamaha
4, Gautier Paulin, France, Kawasaki
5, Kevin Strijbos, Belgium, KTM
Other KTM
6, Ken de Dycker, Belgium, KTM
12, Matiss Karro, Latvia, KTM
16, Davide Guarneri, Italy, KTM
MX1 Standings
1, Cairoli, 50
2, Desalle, 44
3, Frossard, 40
4, Paulin, 32
5, Strijbos, 31
Other KTM
6, de Dycker, 31
12, Karro, 17
16, Davide Guarneri, 12
MX1 Manufacturers Standings
1, KTM, 50
2, Suzuki, 44
3, Yamaha, 40
MX2 Results
1, Jeffrey Herlings, Netherlands, KTM
2, Joel Roelants, Belgium, Kawasaki
3, Tommy Searle, GBR, Kawasaki
4, Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM
5, Jordi Tixier, France, KTM
Other KTM
6, Jake Nichols, GBR, KTM
11, Glenn Coldenhoff, Netherlands, KTM
16, Pascal Rauchenecker, Austria, KTM
MX2 Standings
1, Herlings, 50
2, Roelants, 42
3, Searle, 42
4, van Horebeek, 36
5, Tixier, 29
Other KTM
6, Nichols, 28
11, Coldenhoff, 21
16, Rauchenecker, 7
MX2 Manufacturers Standings
1, KTM, 50
2, Kawasaki, 44
3, Honda, 30
WMX Results in Valkenswaard
1, Chiara Fontanesi, Italy, Yamaha
2, Livia Lancelot, France, Kawasaki
3, Steffi Laier, German, Kawasaki
4, Sara Pettersson, Sweden, KTM
5, Natalie Kane, GBR, KTM
Other KTM
7, Marianne Veenstra, Netherlands, KTM
9, Nina Klink, Netherlands, KTM
WMX Standings
1, Fontanesi, 50
2, Lancelot, 42
3, Laier, 42
4, Pettersson, 34
5, Kane, 31
Other KTM
7, Veenstra, 28
9, Klink, 25
WMX Manufacturers Standings
1, Yamaha, 50
2, Kawasaki, 44
3, KTM 36
