Race12 juillet 2021
MXGP of Netherlands: This weekend took the fourth Grand Prix of the 2021 Motocross World Championship in Oss.
MXGP
Tony Cairoli finishes runner-up and is joint 2nd with Jeffrey Herlings in the championship standings. Jeffrey Herlings forced to withdraw after first race win with minor left shoulder blade fracture.
Tony Cairoli: “I’m happy with the overall result but not so much with the first moto. I know I have the skills and the physical shape to be better than 8th but I made a mistake and a bad start. The starts were not great today but the second moto was really good and I was pleased with how I could push to the front. A podium every week is the goal and I was a bit scared that the 8th from the first moto would make it…but we took 2nd in the end.”
Jorge Prado: “A great day and everything is progressing. I haven’t led a race like that for a long time, certainly since MX2, so I can be happy. I was struggling a bit, especially with breathing this weekend so it was tough to keep going at that pace. The guys built a great bike because we found a few things during training and I definitely had a KTM ready to win today. I was feeling good all day long even if it was such a physical track, so bumpy and not like a normal sand circuit. I was completely ‘done’ at the end of the second moto and Tony came past so strong. I’d like to add a message to Jeffrey to keep his head up, it is such a tough sport, and it was not his fault. Motocross can be cruel like this. Much respect for still winning the first moto: I don’t think there are many riders that can do that!”
Jeffrey Herlings: “What can I say about today? I had high hopes and wanted 1-1. I had a great start in the first moto but the start device did not disengage immediately up the hill and I did not jump as far as I usually do out of the waves. The rest is history. I had a lot of pain but thought I’d keep going to try and get 4th or 5th. I saw I was still able to catch the guys so I started passing them even though I could barely hold on for the last three laps. I have a small crack in my shoulder blade and I still don’t know how bad it is. We had a scan and it doesn’t seem too bad. I don’t have any pain now but racing a dirt bike is a different story. We’ll have another check tomorrow.”
MX2
Reigning world champion Tom Vialle – dominator of the opening GP in Russia – was still sidelined due to his fractured right hand but rookie teammate and winner of the last race in Italy, Mattia Guadagnini, was able to attach the red number background.
Rene Hofer: “I’d call it a ‘50/50’ day. The first moto was really good, second moto pretty bad! It was a tough day, really physical and the track was super-rough. But, still, it’s a top five result in the sand, so I am happy, even though I still feel there is a lot of space for improvement. Next weekend we’ll try again. I am really looking forward to Loket as it is not so far from my home and I hope to see a lot of Austrian flags at the track! Thanks to my team for the fantastic effort!”
Mattia Gaudagnini: “Not the best day for me today. I enjoyed the track but the crash in the first race didn’t help. A rider fell in front of me on the first corner and I had to come from far back. I was riding well until I had another small crash! I had a good rhythm in the second moto and it was good to finish the day in a positive way, even if I did lose some points in race one. I’m still second in the championship as we are all close. I’m looking forward to Loket now.”
Motocross World Championship 2021, Round 4 – Oss (Netherlands)
MXGP
2. Antonio Cairoli (KTM)
4. Jorge Prado (KTM)
9. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)
MX2
5. Rene Hofer (KTM)
6. Isak Gifting (GasGas)
10. Mattia Guadagnini (KTM)
16. Simon Längenfelder (GasGas)
23. Stephen Rubini (Honda)
30. Gianluca Facchetti (Honda)
credits: press.ktm.com and gasgas press center
follow: Airoh Helmet Racing
