KTM Dominates In Valkenswaard

Photo: KTM

The 2012 FIM Motocross World Championship series kicked off today with the Grand Prix Of The Netherlands in  Valkenswaard. Heading into the 2012 season, the fields looked deep in both MX1 and MX2, but with the opener taking place in the deep sand of Valkenswaard, most expected the Red Bull/KTMs of Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli to dominate both classes. The two are well known for their sand riding ability and did not disappoint, easily winning all four motos.

In MX2, Jeffrey Herlings was a machine. Herlings quickly made his way to the front in the first moto after a top five start and proceeded to put on a sand riding clinic. The Dutchman lapped up to seventh place and finished fifty-five seconds ahead of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s of Englishman Tommy Searle and Belgian Joel Roelants.

In Moto two it was a very similar story with Herlings quickly making his way forward before passing Searle for the lead and disappearing. Searle tried to keep Herlings in sight, but fell victim to a charging Roelants instead. Roelants made the pass on Searle and held on to take second in moto two and, with that, second overall in the GP. The overall podium saw Herlings on top with Roelants and Searle finshing second and third.

MX2 – Valkenswaard – Top 10 Overall – Full Results Here

In the opening moto of the MX1 Class, it was Antonio Cairoli wasting no time getting to the lead. Early in the race, he was challenged, and even briefly passed, by Monster Energy/Yamaha’s Steven Frossard, but after weathering the storm, Cairoli was able to check out from the field.

Frossard was blazing fast, but you could see he was way over the edge in trying to stay with the five-time champion. In the end, Rockstar/Suzuki’s Clement Desalle was able to secure second with Frossard hanging on for third in the opening moto.

In the second MX1 moto, it was Frossard and Desalle battling for the lead early on with Cairoli spectating the fight from a front row seat in third. The Frossard-Desalle fight lasted for three laps before Desalle was finally able to secure the lead. With the fight at the front settled, it was time for the #222 to make his move, and by lap five, he had gotten around both Frossard and Desalle and was in the lead.

From there, it was the Cairoli show in Valkenswaard. The Italian, looking for his fouth-straight MX1 Motocross World Championship, started his 2012 campaign with a dominant 1-1 performance. Finishing second and third on the box was Clement Desalle and Steven Frossard.

Next stop GP of Bulgaria in Sevlievo.

MX1 – Valkenswaard – Top 10 – Full Results Here