By Joe Koraith
Doha
The 2015 season of the FIM Motocross World Championship is being billed as a battle between the reigning world champion Antonio Cairoli and his American challenger Ryan Villopoto. And it was the Italian who drew first blood by winning the qualifying race yesterday at the Losail MX track. Villopoto could only manage eighth place.
In the second spot was Belgium rider Clement Desalle and taking third was last year’s winner Paulin Gautier.
During the race, the eight-time world champion Cairoli got himself a clean start and quickly put in a sizeable gap between him and the other riders. And despite slowing down in the middle, the Italian was still able to finish nearly five-seconds ahead of the second place winner.
“Everything is fine. I know it was important to have a good start. I had to stay in front and planned to stay in top 5. I had a good start and had good control. I pulled away a little bit but got a stone stuck in my shifter. So I had to stay in third gear for two laps. Then I made some mistakes and the other riders got closer. But overall I am satisfied and looking forward to the race tomorrow,” said Cairoli after the qualifying.
“During the race, a good start in important. My goal is to finish on the podium. I am not expecting to do something crazy. Just be on the podium and build up some momentum going into the season,” he added.
Maximillian Nagl, who won race 1 last year, finished in fourth place. The usual suspects are right at the top and you can count on them to make the opening round of the 2015 season an exciting one.Herlins tops MX2 qualifying:
In the MX2 qualifying race, Dutch rider Jeffrey Herlins took the top spot and will start first in today’s main race. The second spot went to USA’s Thomas Covington and the third was taken by Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis. In the qualifying race, Covington took the lead in the second lap and then was able to maintain it till the last lap but that is where Herlins overtook him to get the first spot.
Reigning MX2 world champion, Jordi Tixier, had a disappointing qualifying, managing only eighth place. Herlins, the two-time champion, has a point to prove after injury forced him to concede last season’s title to Tixier. And he has started off on the right note with a first spot start for the opening race of the season.
“I had a tough time last season. For me, it’s just a victory to be here in Qatar. The victory will make it beautiful,” said Herlins yesterday.
“Just three months ago, they were playing with knives on my legs. I wasn’t sure I would catch the start of the season. So I am happy to be here. It’s great to win this qualifying heat but you don’t win any points today. It’s all about tomorrow,” added Herlins.
Results
MXGP: Antonio Cairoli 23:57.02
Clement Desalle 24:01.97
Gautlier Paulin 24:04.17
Maximilian Nagl 24:09.50
Kevin Strijbos 24:13.28
Romain Febvre 24:23.43
Shaun Simpson 24:29.45
Ryan Villopoto 24:30.72
Jeremey Van Horebeek 24:40.80
Todd Waters 24:45.85
MX2: Jeffrey Herlings 24:28.44
Thomas Covington 24:29.82
Dylan Ferrandis 24:31.19
Aleksandr Tonkov 24:37.39
Max Anstie 24:44.09
Pauls Jonass 24:47.33
Julien Lieber 24:54.45
Jordi Tixier 25:01.92
Damon Graulus 25:06.48
Jeremy Seewer 25:12.457
Cairoli Antonio takes first place during MXGP qualifications in the MXGP Qatar held at Losail yesterday. PICTURS: Baher Amin
