Antonio Cairoli managed to repeat the double scored last year at Ottobiano. The nine times World Champion dominated both races on the Italian circuit and so he closed the gap between him and injured Jeffrey Herlings. With 18 races left and 450 points still available, may the fight for the title restart? Everything can happen, but Herlings seems to be in great shape and it will be very difficult to contrast him, when he comes back in two weeks in Indonesia.
CAIROLI RULES – Cairoli won quite easily Race 1, but he had some more problems in Race 2. After a great start, the Italian fell during the 5th minute of the race and when he rejoined the fight he was fourth. The recovery started immediately and, 5 minutes later, “TC #222” went back to first by overtaking Tim Gajser (Honda) and this gave him Race 2 win ahead of 2016 MXGP World Champion and Gautier Paulin (Husqvarna).
GP STANDINGS – 1. Antonio Cairoli (Ita-KTM) 50; 2. Gautier Paulin (Fra-Husqvarna) 38; 3. Max Anstie (GB-Husqvarna); 4. Tim Gajser (Slo-Honda) 37; 5. Romain Febvre (Fra-Yamaha) 31; 6. Jeremy Seewer (Swi-Yamaha) 29.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: 1. Jeffrey Herlings 486; 2. Antonio Cairoli 474; 3. Desalle 374; 4. Febvre 354; 5. Paulin 334; 6. Gajser 332.
MX2: JORGE PRADO WINS THE GP – In the under-23 class, Jorge Prado (KTM) managed to win GP of Lombardia by finishing second in Race 1 and winning Race 2. Second place overall went to Race 1 winner Thomas Covington (Husqvarna), while championship leader Pauls Jonass (KTM) finished both races and GP in third place. Now the gap between Jonass and Prado amounts to just 9 points: the reigning Champion and the Spaniard have respectively 474 and 465 points in their pockets.