HRC factory rider, Tom Vialle has halted the run of race wins by Jeffrey Herlings with victory in the MXGP qualification race in Darwin, Australia. The Frenchman did have to deal with a little battle with Romain Febvre. Febvre finished second with Herlings third.

Tom Vialle: Nice to win again as its been a while. Great start and I knew Jeffrey is strong, but I saw he was a long way back and I thought it if stay steady, I can beat him.

Jeffrey Herlings: Once I got into third and I saw two minutes left and the gap was too big, so the streak is gone. I slid in the mud and was dead last and I managed to get third and that is fine for tomorrow. Try and keep winning at least. I think I will start in the same gate tomorrow as today.

Ray Archer image

Herlings out of shape in the first corner and well back in the pack, so let’s see if the Dutchman can work his way through the field of riders. Vialle with the lead over Adamo, Seewer, Febvre, Jonass, Rogers, Monticelli, Budd, Vlaanderen and Herlings in 10th.

Lap one and the lead by Vialle was 2.2 over Adamo, then Febvre 3.3 back, and Herlings into 8th place and 8.4 behind the leader. Herlings up to sixth place and 10.8 behind Vialle, with Adamo now 2.4 behind. Herlings moved past Seewer and into fifth place and chasing down Jonass in fourth spot.

Herlings into fourth place with a pass on Jonass, but still 10 seconds off the lead of Vialle. Adamo was second behind Vialle, 2.1 behind, then Febvre 3.5, and then Herlings 10.6 behind. Jonass was next, then Seewer, Vlaanderen, Rogers, Pancar and Walsh.

Febvre into second as Adamo made a mistake and dropped to third and was just five seconds ahead of Herlings, who was still fourth. Jonass 14 seconds off Vialle in fifth place. Herlings might be getting closer to Adamo, but not closer to Vialle and the lead. Herlings all over Adamo now for third place.

Lap seven and Vialle held a 2.1 second lead over Febvre, with Admao 7.7 back and Herlings 11.2 behind in fourth place. Jonass was fifth, then Seewer, Vlaanderen, Pancar, Rogers and Walsh 10th. Febvre all over the back wheel of Vialle as the two Frenchman and MXoN team-mates fight for a moto win.

Herlings all over Adamo for third place and clocking very quick laps times, but still 10 seconds off the two Frenchmen. Herlings into third place as he passed Adamo, and still 10 seconds off Vialle and Febvre, who were in a heated battle for the lead. Vialle wins from Febvre and Herlings.

MXGP - Qualifying Race - Classification

1. Tom Vialle (FRA, Honda), 24:51.018; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:03.185; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, Honda), +0:17.161; 4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:17.946; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Kawasaki), +0:44.139; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KTM), +0:57.277; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Ducati), +1:02.326; 8. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +1:06.528; 9. Jago Geerts (BEL, Beta), +1:27.466; 10. Dylan Walsh (NZL, KTM), +1:49.268; 11. Levi Rogers (AUS, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 12. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 13. Souya Nakajima (JPN, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 14. Rhys Budd (AUS, Honda), -1 lap(s); 15. Ryley Fitzpatrick (AUS, KTM), -1 lap(s); 16. Cooper Holroyd (AUS, Honda), -14 lap(s);