Pirelli SCORPION™ MX protagonists at the Grand Prix of France of the FIM Motocross World Championship

Desalle victorious from Van Horebeek and Cairoli in MXGP while Herlings rules again in MX2 Pirelli podiums were seized once again in both the MXGP and MX2 classes in France for what was the ninth round of seventeen in the FIM Motocross World Championship. The premier MXGP category saw a close duel between factory Suzuki rider Clement Desalle and series leader Antonio Cairoli that remained breath taking until the final laps and corners. The championship rivals started the day with a selection of SCORPION™ MX MidSoft 32F front and rear; the Belgian opting for 120/90-19 dimensions while the Italian went for a 110/90-19 and both entertained until the end. Cairoli led the first moto for practically the entire distance until a small mistake gave Desalle the lead and he held off the KTM star by less than a second at the finish line. In the second race Cairoli again set the pace and seemed to have the moto and the overall victory in the bag until an unexpected crash two laps from the flag let Desalle and Yamaha’s Jeremy Van Horebeek through to the first two positions on the rostrum and dumped the world champion down to third place. Only recording sixth overall was Desalle’s team-mate Kevin Strijbos who was penalised by a crash in the second sprint but had managed fourth position earlier in the day on the works RM-Z450. Also running SCORPION™ MX MidSoft 32F front and rear was Jeffrey Herlings who controlled MX2 in typical fashion for his fifth double triumph and extended his margin in the championship standings to 45 points over Arnaud Tonus – second in France – as KTM team-mate Jordi Tixier raced to third overall. Pirelli SCORPION™ MX were prevalent in the fourth round of the European EMX125 thanks to the first career win by teenager and Suzuki rider Brian Hsu and third-placed Davy Pootjes. The FIM Motocross World Championship now breaks for a week and will reconvene for round two on June 15th at the mythical circuit of Maggiora in Italy.