It’s a wrap! The sixteenth round of the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship offered some amazing action and battles on the typical Dutch sand track of Arnhem.
The great weather and track conditions meant that riders could express themselves to the fullest. The typical tough Dutch sand track still offered many challenges for the riders who could not lose focus for a second.
On the other hand, home rider and fans favourite, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings unfortunately injured himself in Time Practice and was forced to sit out his home GP due to a broken collarbone.
MXGP: SIXTH WIN FOR FEBVRE
In MXGP, Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre won his 6th Grand Prix of the season in front of Red Plate Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado who keeps winning races to maintain his large points lead on Febvre. Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team’s Jeremy Seewer confirmed after his win in Sweden with a back-to-back podium asserting a bit more the 3rd place in the Championship.
Podium Quotes:
1st Romain Febvre (2-1): “The second race was so much better. I pulled the FOX Holeshot and rode my own race. I was feeling good, the track was heavy but I could make the difference. It’s a shame for the first race that I could not win because I got a stone stuck in the rear brake but anyway, win number 6 so I am really happy about it.”
2nd Jorge Prado (1-4): “I didn’t get the best start in the second race and it took the first lap to get my position. I came into the weekend sick and I felt a bit worse this morning but this track today was really tough plus the sun came out to make it even harder. I gave my all, second overall, my points lead in the Championship look good and next round is in Turkiye which I am really excited to race go and race there!”
3rd Jeremy Seewer (3-2): “It’s never easy to keep the local hero (Glenn Coldenhoff) behind in the second race on his home GP but I did it. We had quite a lot of fights this season for the third place on the podium and I had the better of him this time luckily. I struggled yesterday and we had to change the bike overnight and I felt a bit nervous but I’m thankful to the team that we could turn it around as I felt better today and had a good flow. To do a podium in the sand is always special for me and I’m super happy. Now off to Turkiye.”
MX2: SECOND WIN FOR LIAM EVERTS
In MX2, the solid and consistent Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Liam Everts won his 2nd Grand Prix of the season in a last lap thriller that saw Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Lucas Coenen finish second overall thanks to his win in race two and fighting spirit in the first race. Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Simon Laengenfelder completed the podium with another race win to keep his podium streak going.
Podium Quotes:
1s Liam Everts (3-2): “I lost it for a moment at the end of the race (the GP win) as I went a bit too defensive but I managed to get Jago (Geerts) back. The move was on the limit but it was for the overall which I had no clue about. I’m super happy and big thanks to the team”
2nd Lucas Coenen (6-1):”I crashed in the first race in a corner and costed me a lot of energy so it got me really hungry for the second race. I rode very well in that second one as I passed Liam (Everts) quite quickly and I made a good gap and I control my race so it was good.”
3rd Simon Längenfelder (1-6): “For sure I know that I can ride on sand for a long time now but unfortunately in that second race I could not find my flow and I tried to push but made a mistake. The track was really difficult so congrats to the other guys as they did a great job. Sometimes it cannot go always perfect but we’re ready to bounce back for the next few races.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Next round of the FIM World Motocross Championship will take in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey, in two weeks time.
