DIRT NEWS
Dutchman is 13 points from the red plate in the standings while Gyan Doensen is 4th in the EMX125 category and is 2nd in the table with strong options for the title . An overdue stint of sunshine greeted MXGP for the Grand Prix of Latvia at Kegums . Round nine dipped into the soft shallow soil of Kegums but the fast layout and hard base meant a typically deceptive and tricky circuit for the MXGP and MX2 classes ( and European Championship support cards ). Now fifteen years as a staple part of the MXGP slate and former Motocross of Nations venue , Kegums was nevertheless hit by a heavy but brief rainstorm that affected the end of the first MX2 moto and the opening MXGP outing . Before the weather could have its say for the motos , warm and dry RAM Qualification Heats took place on Saturday where Herlings laboured to 6th place in MXGP and Andrea Adamo was best-placed with 4th in MX2 . On Sunday the passing Latvian clouds made sure the track was soft and very rough in places ( braking bumps and ruts ) but also fast and inviting in others . Herlings started well in the initial MXGP moto and seized the lead on the first lap . He controlled the race all the way for his third success of 2024 . In the second moto , Herlings had no answer for the pace of Jorge Prado and Tim
Gajser ( despite a late rally ). MX2 belonged to Sacha Coenen . The young Belgian logged his seventh holeshot of the season ( and started 2nd in the following moto ) to keep strong and quick at the front of both races . # 19 remained upright and in the game , and classified 3rd and 1st to achieve a series of milestones : first race win , first Grand Prix podium and first overall triumph . He was four places ahead of countryman Liam Everts who suffered a tip-off in the first moto and recorded a 5-4 scorecard for more top five regularity . Everts is the highest ranked rider in the MX2 championship in 4th and one slot in front of Adamo . Coenen ’ s best points haul of the year means he has moved up to 8th . MXGP travels to southern Europe and the iconic racing facility of Maggiora for the Grand Prix of Italy next weekend . “ Yesterday was so bad but today I was able to show people I could still ride a bit !” said an ecstatic Herlings . “ The podium was the goal but to come out with a win was amazing . I didn ’ t quite have the pace for Jorge and Tim in the second moto ; I was able to close them down but didn ’ t have the speed to pass . Anyway , very happy and two good starts today . I hope to keep that going because it ’ s been a weak point . Pleased with my riding and it ’ s nice to finally get off that # 103 to # 104 !”
18 KIWI RIDER