The first of the two MXGP races in Russia was won by the Belgian Clement Desalle (Kawasaki), while Antonio Cairoli crossed the line in second place followed by his rival Jeffrey Herlings. This is quite important for the championship standings, as Cairoli lowered the gap between him and Herlings from 16 points to 14. Now the Dutchman has 261 points and Cairoli is second with 247.
THE RACE – Cairoli had a shoulder-to-shoulder fight with Herlings already after the start, but who set the pace since the beginning was Clement Desalle. The gap between Desalle and Cairoli was around six seconds, but in the final stages the nine times World Champion got closer to the Kawasaki rider, also to defend second position from Herlings’ assault. Finally, the three riders finished the race separated by just three seconds.
RACE 1 RESULTS: 1. Desalle (Bel-Kawasaki) 33’30″670; 2. Cairoli (Ita-KTM) +1″582; 3. Herlings (Ola-KTM) +3″510; 4. Paulin (Fra-Husqvarna) +23″418; 5. Gajser (Slo-Honda) +34″150; 6. Van Horeebeek (Bel-Yamaha) +39″001; 7. Febvre (Fra-Yamaha) +44″901; 8. Lieber (Bel-Kawasaki) +45″440; 9. Seewer (Svi-Yamaha) +45″905; 10. Jasikonis (Lit-Honda) +55″876.
MX2 – Pauls Jonass won the first MX2 race at Orlyonok followed by Jorge Prado. Third place for the British Ben Watson (Yamaha). The Latvian KTM rider went back to the middle part of the podium after experiencing problems in Trentino and Portugal and this made him extend his advantage on Prado in the championship standings.