Ottobiano (Italy),
18
June
2018
|
14:15
Europe/Amsterdam

Pirelli SCORPION™ MX Soft tyres dominate Grand Prix of Motocross of Lombardia at Ottobiano

Double victory for Antonio Cairoli in MXGP. The Italian takes advantage of Jeffrey Herlings’ absence due to injury to narrow the gap in Championship. Jorge Prado wins in MX2 and closes on Pauls Jonass in the standings

Ottobiano hosted the eleventh round of the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship which was held in hot conditions and in front of a decent attendance. To tackle the sandy soil of the spectacular Italian track Pirelli riders were able to rely on the excellent SCORPION™ MX Soft rear that coupled with the SCORPION™ MX32™ Mid Soft front tyre, allowed the Italian manufacturer to celebrate overall victory in both classes.

Red Plate holder Jeffrey Herlings was out of the GP due to a collarbone injury and overall victory in the MXGP class belonged to Antonio Cairoli. The nine-time world champion won both races and has reduced the margin down to just 12 points in the standings. It was an excellent race also for Husqvarna factory riders Gautier Paulin and Max Anstie that finished in second and third place respectively for a MXGP podium completely ruled by Pirelli. Tim Gajser finished fourth just ahead of Romain Febvre.

Jorge Prado grabbed overall victory in MX2. The young Spaniard was very fast all weekend and finished in front of Thomas Covington, winner of the qualifying heat and the first race but tired in the second outing. Pauls Jonass climbed the third step of the podium and remains in the lead of the championship. The KTM factory riders are now divided by just nine points in the standings. Thomas Kjer Olsenconfirmed his good form by finishing fourth.

After three races without pause, the FIM Motocross World Championship will resume its journey on July 1st in Pangkal Pinang for the Grand Prix of Indonesia, the first of two consecutive races to be hosted by the Asian country.

Race results (Pirelli riders in bold):

MXGP race 1
1. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA)
2.DESALLE Clement (BEL)
3. ANSTIE Max (GBR)
4. PAULIN Gautier (FRA)
5. FEBVRE Romain (FRA)

MXGP race 2
1. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA)
2. GAJSER Tim (SLO)
3. PAULIN Gautier (FRA)
4. ANSTIE Max (GBR)
5. SEEWER Jeremy (SUI)

MX2 race 1
1. COVINGTON Thomas (USA)
2. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA)
3. JONASS Pauls (LAT)
4. WATSON Ben (GBR)
5. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DAN)

MX2 race 2
1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA)
2. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DAN)
3. JONASS Pauls (LAT)
4. COVINGTON Thomas (USA)
5. WATSON Ben (GBR)

GP Overall:

MXGP
1. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA)
2. PAULIN Gautier (FRA)
3. ANSTIE Max (GBR)
4. GAJSER Tim (SLO)
5. FEBVRE Romain (FRA)

MX2
1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA)
2. COVINGTON Thomas (USA)
3. JONASS Pauls (LAT)
4. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DAN)
5. WATSON Ben (GBR)

Championship overall:

MXGP
1. HERLINGS Jeffrey (NED) p.486
2. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA) p.474
3. DESALLE Clement (BEL) p.374
4. FEBVRE Romain (FRA) p.354
5. PAULIN Gautier (FRA) p.334
6. GAJSER Tim (SLO) p.332

MX2
1. JONASS Pauls (LAT) p.474
2. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA) p. 465
3. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN) p.366
4.WATSON Ben (GBR) p.339
5. VLAANDEREN Calvin (RSA) p.286
6. COVINGTON Thomas (USA) p.254