Jeffrey Herlings wins MXGP class at the MX of Nations in Red Bud
An amazing end to a sensational motocross season for Red Bull KTM. Glenn Coldenhoff and Jeffrey Herlings won all three motos and both categories at a wet but packed RedBud circuit with both Dutchman on the final podium in third place.
The 72nd Motocross of Nations saw the famous annual competition return to the United States for the first time since 2010 and for the third occasion this century. Red Bull KTM flew to Michigan and the revered RedBud circuit almost in full force with Jeffrey Herlings and Glenn Coldenhoff ultimately ruling the races for Team Netherlands. The facility was full of 81,700 hardy spectators who braved rain, damp and mud through the weekend to see Team France own the competition for the fifth time in a row.
Tony Cairoli won the MXGP Qualification Heat by a comfortable distance on Saturday and was almost upstaged by teammate and MXGP World Champion Jeffrey Herlings who recovered from a first turn crash and last position to eventually reach third place.
On Sunday Cairoli entered the opening corner too fast and fell, causing a pile-up but was able to recover good points for Team Italy by riding back to 6th. Herlings moved up from 3rd position to take control at mid-race distance and grabbed the chequered flag. In the second moto for the MXGP class the two KTM racers faced the other 450s of the Open category and a rampant Glenn Coldenhoff. Herlings was second to his teammate and won MXGP thanks to his 1-2 scores. The Dutch squad would fill the third step of the rostrum after MX2 rider Calvin Vlaanderen could not start the final sprint with an eye problem.
Herlings: “Me and Glenn did a great job. I won my first moto and he went 1-1: we deserved to win and it was a shame we didn’t get the results with our MX2 rider. We were so close but Team France were the best today and we should respect that. I want to thank Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for the whole season; they did an incredible job. I also want to thank the Dutch Federation for being behind us. We had a great weekend and some great days here. I’m happy to finish off the season. Next year it will be at Assen and home soil and if Glenn has the same breakfast and we get another result then we can definitely go for the win. It has been a good day.”
Glenn Coldenhoff was produced his best and most emphatic performance of the season. The Dutchman found the perfect combination of starts and feeling around the rough and sandyish soil to streak clear of the field in the first moto and then duplicate his uncatchable form in the second. Even Herlings was powerless to defy #259’s advantage. Glenn was a clear winner of the MX Open class.
Coldenhoff: “This definitely feels good and going 1-1 at the Motocross of Nations is kinda crazy. I have no words. I think this is a great and beautiful track and the conditions were great. It is just a shame for Calvin; he could have finished in the top fifteen easily in the first moto but there were some issues and then he couldn’t start the second one. It has still been a great day to be up here [on the podium] and congratulations to the other teams. We were the strongest today. I loved being out here.”
Results MXGP Class RedBud 2018
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED) KTM (1-2)
2. Gautier Paulin (FRA) Husqvarna (2-3)
3. Tony Cairoli (ITA) KTM (6-4)
4. Eli Tomac (USA) Kawasaki (4-7)
5. Tanel Leok (EST) Husqvarna (12-19)
Results MX Open Class RedBud 2018
1. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED) KTM (1-1)
2. Alessandro Lupino (ITA) Kawasaki (12-5)
3. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL) Yamaha (6-11)
4. Max Anstie (GBR) Husqvarna (13-6)
5. Max Nagl (GER) TM (11-8)
Final Standings MX of Nations RedBud 2018
1. France, 35 points
2. Italy, 37
3. Netherlands, 41
4. Australia, 48
5. Great Britain, 48
