Image: Supplied.

Jeffrey Herlings says the weekend’s Dutch MXGP was one of the most difficult wins of his career at the Valkenswaard venue after being challenged by reigning world champion Tim Gajser (Team HRC) all weekend.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing contender, who’s been notoriously dominant in the sand especially in his home country, mustered up a 2-1 scorecard to be credited the overall on countback, benefiting from an error by Gajser in the final outing to stand atop the podium.

“This was one of the most difficult Valkenswaard wins,” Herlings declared. “Tim did a great job but it was important for us to think about the overall than the 1-1 and to not lose points.

“This was a good GP for us. Going to Argentina I hope we can find some good weather – it has been two in a row now with rain! We’ll try to make the best of the situation there and go again for a podium spot.”

Herlings holds a nine-point advantage over Gajser as the MXGP World Championship heads to Argentina on 22 March.

Image: Supplied.

Western Australian TJ O’Hare stormed to a top 10 moto result at Valkenswaard’s second round of the 2020 Women’s Motocross World Championship last weekend, marking a career-best performance so far on the world stage.

Following a 12th overall placing at Matterley Basin’s season-opener a week ago, the KTM Diga Junior Racing rider strengthened her championship ranking by racing to a 15-8 scorecard for 11th overall at the Dutch venue.

The result moves O’Hare to 10th in the series standings, which is currently led by reigning champion and New Zealander Courtney Duncan (Kawasaki).

“I was a bit too stressed on Saturday I think,” O’Hare stated. “Halfway through the race I calmed myself down because I made some many mistakes but things improved from there. After they flattened the track it was much easier to keep the speed today.

“I’m pumped about that eighth place in the second race moto, my best world championship result ever. For the moment I’m quite pleased with my speed I just need to build more consistency into my riding to eliminate the mistakes. If I can achieve that, even the top six would be within reach.”

Compatriot Hannah Bagnall (Honda) contested her second-ever round in the WMX class at the weekend, winding 38th overall.

Image: Supplied.

The MXGP of Trentino in Italy has been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, while the situation for all others rounds is being monitored daily.

The Trentino round was initially scheduled for 4-5 April, however it will now be staged on 18-19 July. It comes after the Italian government has forbidden the organisation of public events in Italy until 3 April.

The aim of Infront Moto Racing, promoter of the MXGP World Championship, and the FIM is to make the series run with all the events programmed. The rest of the MXGP calendar up to now stays unchanged while the development of the situation in every country is being followed in a daily basis monitoring.

In agreement with the organisers of other MXGP rounds and local authorities, Infront Moto Racing is prepared to postpone other events if that becomes necessary.

Image: Supplied.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jed Beaton finished just shy of the podium for the second-straight weekend at Valkenswaard’s second round of the MX2 World Championship.

The Tasmanian was challenging for a podium position in race one before an error saw him relegated down the field, however he was able to charge back to sixth.

He rebounded strongly in moto two, putting on a fantastic performance while ditching his goggles in brutally sandy conditions, crossing the line in P2 for fourth overall – just two points behind third.

“It’s been another good GP for me, but like at Matterley I’m a little disappointed not to be on the podium,” Beaton stated. “But that’s on me as I made a mistake in the first moto. Overall, my riding’s good, I just have to keep it on two wheels to get it on the podium.

“The sand is so soft and heavy here at Valkenswaard that a small mistake can quickly become a big mistake, but it’s been good to show that my speed in the sand is good. I gated really well and felt good in the first race and went from third to second in a couple of corners and started to chase [Tom] Vialle.

“I then made a small mistake and ran off track slightly, hitting a sign and tipping over. I dropped some places, but I was pleased enough to finish with a decent result. In the second race there was a crash right in front of me, but I still got a decent start.

“I really focused on not making any mistakes and although it was tough with vision near the end of the race, I got a great second place result, which was a positive way to end the GP.”

Beaton now sits third in the championship rankings ahead of the third round, which is scheduled for 22 March at Neuquen in Argentina.