HRC factory rider, Jeffrey Herlings has taken a sensational victory in the opening MXGP moto today in Bariloche, Argentina. The Dutchman showed vintage Herlings as he holeshot, then sat back in second place after being passed by Tom Vialle, but then with three laps remaining, took the lead and opened up a small lead to win it.

Tom Vialle also rode a brilliant moto, finishing second and following Herlings all the way home, although "The Bullet" was just too smart in those final laps. Third was defending world MXGP champion, Romain Febvre.

Jeffrey Herlings: Yes, from the gate position I had I was surprised I got the holeshot. It took me five years to get a holeshot with KTM and I already have a black plate. Wait for the second one and go for the moto win.

MXGP Moto One

Under beautiful sunshine, the opening MXGP race started with Vialle and Herlings with great starts as Herlings led from Adamo, Vialle, Bonacorsi, Febvre, Jonass, Renaux, Benistant, Coenen, Gajser in 10th. Herlings quickly getting away from the field.

Already after a lap the lead by Herlings was two seconds over Adamo, with Coenen working really hard to get around Jonass in sixth spot. The lead was 2.6 on lap two and Herlings looking sensational on the red machine. Coenen passed Bonacorsi for fifth place.

Vialle into second place, and only 2.2 off the Dutchmans lead and the top four all former or current world champions and Jonass, Renaux and Gajser in seventh, eight and ninth also former champs. Coenen all over Febvre for fourth spot. Vialle pulled the lead by of Herlings, with the lead 1.5 seconds.

Gajser passed Renaux, dropping the Frenchman to ninth spot and Vialle all over Herlings for the lead. Maybe the Dutchman getting a little arm-pump with the high pressure. Vialle into the lead and pushing really hard to get away from Herlings.

Top ten on lap four was Vialle, Herlings, Adamo, Febvre, Coenen, Bonacorsi, Jonass, Gajser, Renaux and Fernandez 10th. Vialle had already opened up a two second lead over his HRC team-mate and Adamo 4.5 behind the leader.

Lap six and the lead was three seconds, but we all know, Herlings is a diesel and might come back as the race enters the later stages. Ducati struggling today with Bonacorsi down in a crash while sixth and Vlaanderen 10th with Seewer 21st. Coenen also a crash, as did Bruma.

Febvre pushed his way past Adamo and moved into third place, but some eight seconds back and Adamo also down as riders dropping like flies. The lead by Vialle remained at three second and my gut feeling was, Herlings will be making a charge with 10 minutes remaining.

Adamo and Coenen some 14 seconds back and battling for fourth and fifth spots. Herlings is coming, with the lead now 2.2 seconds, with Febvre eight seconds off the leader. Pretty cool the mix of age and youth in this moto so far.

Lap nine and the lead was just a second as Jago Geerts also crashed out of the moto, while in 18th place. Top ten on lap nine was Vialle, Herlings, Febvre, Coenen, Adamo, Jonass, Gajser, Renaux, Fernandez and Vlaanderen.

10 minutes remaining and that often means Herlings charging time. Febvre just five seconds off the leaders and Jonass goes past Adamo for fifth place. Herlings now just half a second behind Vialle and he sees Febvre closing the gap, which is now just three seconds. Coenen 15 seconds back in fourth spot.

Top ten on lap 11 was Vialle, Herlings, Febvre, Coenen, Jonass, Gajser, Adamo, Renaux, Vlaanderen and Fernandez. Herlings a mistake and suddenly Febvre all over him. The lead by Vialle was now more than two seconds, but Herlings gets his speed up and quickly gets away from Febvre. A nice battle as Renaux passed Adamo and Vlaanderen hounded those two.

One minute and three laps and the lead by Vialle was one seconds, with Febvre 3.7 back. Three laps remaining and Herlings all over Vialle for the victory. Herlings has turned up the speed and really pushing the Frenchman. Sure enough, into the lead, Herlings takes the lead. This is vintage Herlings as he quickly makes a break on Vialle. Herlings wins from Vialle and Febvre.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 - Classification

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, Honda), 36:02.812; 2. Tom Vialle (FRA, Honda), +0:03.450; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:16.886; 4. Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:32.619; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Kawasaki), +0:46.824; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, Yamaha), +0:48.358; 7. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:51.502; 8. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Ducati), +0:52.249; 9. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Honda), +0:52.675; 10. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +1:04.826; 11. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +1:15.627; 12. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +1:18.821; 13. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Fantic), +1:20.835; 14. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), +1:22.064; 15. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), +1:40.347; 16. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Honda), +1:45.712; 17. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Ducati), -1 lap(s); 18. Joaquin Poli (ARG, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 19. Lars van Berkel (NED, Fantic), -1 lap(s); 20. Alberto Forato (ITA, Fantic), -1 lap(s); 21. Marco Antezana (BOL, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 22. Fermin Ciccimarra (ARG, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 23. Sergio Villaronga Muga (CHI, Honda), -1 lap(s); 24. Tomas Montes Gadda (ARG, Kawasaki), -2 lap(s); 25. Carlos Badiali (VEN, Yamaha), -2 lap(s); 26. Flavio Nicolas Sastre (ARG, Honda), -2 lap(s); 27. Santiago Montero (ARG, GASGAS), -2 lap(s); 28. Juan Ignacio Salgado (ARG, Fantic), -2 lap(s); 29. Jago Geerts (BEL, Beta), -9 lap(s); 30. Agustin Carrasco (ARG, Yamaha), -10 lap(s); 31. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Ducati), -12 lap(s); 32. Kevin Brumann (SUI, Husqvarna), -12 lap(s); 33. Victor Francisco Garcia Hernandez (MEX, KTM), -17 lap(s);

Bavo Swijgers image