Jeffrey Herlings takes the win in the French Championship round at Ernee

Jeffrey Herlings of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has won the opening round of the French Elite Championship in Ernee. Ernée, a Grand Prix venue and former Motocross of Nations circuit, entertained the opening fixture of the French national series and the hard-packed and rough terrain welcomed a wide gathering of MXGP athletes eager for final laps ahead of the opening of the twice-delayed world championship campaign.

Herlings, steering his factory KTM 450 SX-F, took his second win in as many weekends (after success in the UK), with a 2-1 scorecard. The Dutchman barreled through from a mediocre start in the first moto but aced his launch in the second outing to beat Romain Febvre to the checkered flag.

The Grand Prix of Russia at Orlyonok will drop the gate on the MXGP series on June 13th.

Jeffery Herlings: “I was fastest in qualifying by a good margin! I had a bad start in the first moto but came from mid-pack to be on the rear wheel of the winner by the end. I pulled a holeshot in the second and could lead, control and win it. My feeling was alright on the track. The bike was working well but I had a bit of arm-pump. Overall, some good work done for Russia.”

French Elite Championship, Rnd1, Ernée

MX1 Overall Result

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
2. Jeremy Seewer (SWI), Yamaha
3. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki
4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED), Yamaha
5. Ivo Monticelli (ITA), Kawasaki