Pirelli dominates the Grand Prix of Russia of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Orlyonok
Tim Gajser takes a fourth overall victory in the MXGP class and also the Red Plate while Jorge Prado triumphs in MX2 and consolidates his lead in the championship
For the third consecutive year the Orlyonok track hosted the Grand Prix of Russia for what was the eighth round of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship. The hardpack soil of the Russian circuit was further compacted by hot conditions during the race weekend and became fast, slick and sketchy. The Pirelli SCORPION™ MX32™ Mid Soft front and rear, optimally supported by the absorption capacity of Pirelli’s ‘mousses', highlighted the fantastic performance of the product with excellent results in every class.
With a double win, Tim Gajser achieved his fourth overall victory of the season and obtained the red plate. Jeremy Seewer, third overall, climbed the MXGP podium for the first time in his career. Jeffrey Herlings made a great return from a broken right foot and finished in fourth place ahead of Romain Febvre. Only a ninth place overall for Antonio Cairoli, now second in the championship, who had to deal with the after-effects of a fall in Saturday's qualifying race.
Jorge Prado’s dominance in the MX2 class continued in Russia. The defending champion won the Qualification Heat, both motos and increased his lead in the standings. Thomas Kjer Olsen, second overall, twice finished behind the Spaniard and remains his closest pursuer in the championship. There was a positive fourth place for Tom Vialle who also moved put to fifth in the standings.
Pirelli also ruled the fourth round of the EMX250 European Championship by filling the first five positions of the overall classification. Victory went to Stephen Rubini who also jumped to the top of the standings.
Next weekend the riders will tackle the track in Kegums for the Grand Prix of Latvia to reach the midway point of the 2019 season.
Race results (Pirelli riders in bold):
MXGP race 1
1. GAJSER Tim (SLO)
2. TONUS Arnaud (SUI)
3. FEBVRE Romain (FRA)
4. HERLINGS Jeffrey (NED)
5. SEEWER Jeremy (SUI)
MXGP race 2
1. GAJSER Tim (SLO)
2.TONUS Arnaud (SUI)
3. SEEWER Jeremy (SUI)
4. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA)
5. LIEBER Julien (BEL)
MX2 race 1
1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA)
2. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN)
3.GEERTS Jago (BEL)
4. VIALLE Tom (FRA)
5. EVANS Mitchell (AUS)
MX2 race 2
1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA)
2. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN)
3.GEERTS Jago (BEL)
4. CERVELLIN Michele (ITA)
5. VIALLE Tom (FRA)
GP Overall:
MXGP
1. GAJSER Tim (SLO)
2.TONUS Arnaud (SUI)
3. SEEWER Jeremy (SUI)
4. HERLINGS Jeffrey (NED)
5. FEBVRE Romain (FRA)
MX2
1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA)
2. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN)
3. GEERTS Jago (BEL)
4. VIALLE Tom (FRA)
5.CERVELLIN Michele (ITA)
Championship overall:
MXGP
1. GAJSER Tim (SLO) p.351
2. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA) p.338
3.PAULIN Gautier (FRA) p.231
4. SEEWER Jeremy (SUI) p.220
5. JASIKONIS Arminas (LTU) p.212
6.DESALLE Clement (BEL) p.208
MX2
1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA) p.347
2. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN) p.327
3. GEERTS Jago (BEL)p.257
4. JACOBI Henry (GER) p.236
5. VIALLE Tom (FRA) p.216
6. EVANS Mitchell (AUS) p.214