Red Bull KTM factory rider Lucas Coenen took the lead of the opening MXGP moto after a mistake by leader Tim Gajser and then the two battled the final laps. The moto went down to a firefight in the final lap, but it was Coenen who came out on top, winning ahead of Gajser and Guadagnini on the Ducati.

Lucas Coenen: I had a good start and I slipped away and was back a little, and I found my way to second and coming back on Tim and on the downhill, it was slippery and he made a mistake and crashed and I passed him, and then a lapped rider hit me and I went down. I try to win the second race.

MXGP Moto One

Gajser in trouble in the first corner as he went sideways and was nearly taken out. He did recover to be top five, but not a great start. Leading was Lapucci from Guadagnini, Gifting, Gajser, Bonacorsi, Lucas Coenen, Monticelli, Seewer, Bogers, Koch, Coldenhoff, Tropepe, Pancar in 13th. Ben Watson back in 18th place. Gajser into third as he chased down Lapucci, and Coenen in fifth place, but right onto Gifting.

Gajser into second place as he passed Guadagnini and Coenen passed Gifting and into fourth place. You can see Coenen means business today. Gajser all over Lapucci, with Coenen all over Guadagnini. On lap three it was Lapucci, Gajser, Guadagnini, Coenen, Gifting, Bonacorsi, Seewer, Monticelli, Bogers and Koch.

Gajser into the lead as Lupucci made a mistake and was passed by not only Gajser, but also Guadagnini, and Coenen. Coenen all over the Ducati of Guadagnini and looking flashy and rather loose on the big 450. Coenen so aggressive, looks brilliant.

After five laps the lead by Gajser over Guadagnini was 4.4 seconds, with Coenen on the back wheel of the Italian and surely moving into second before the moto is over. Again, pretty cool that its Honda, Ducati, KTM, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Fantic, Ducati, Kawasaki and two more Fantics in the top ten. Now that is Worldwide factory approval of our sport.

Coenen working overtime to get past the Ducati, but what a great ride from both riders. The Ducati is clearly good enough for GP battle ad Coenen good enough for the MXGP class already. The battle for second and third helping Gajser out, who was 6.2 ahead of these two now. Coenen into second and let’s see if he can catch Gajser and close that more than six second lead.

The lead was up to eight seconds on lap seven, and Gajser on the HRC machine looking very calm and relaxed. This is the perfect track for the Slovenian, many ruts and a tough circuit, with a lot of blue groove. Throttle control and his great mental concentration. On lap nine, the lead was 6.7 seconds, so Coenen was closing the gap.

Top ten on lap 10 was Gajser, Coenen, Guadagnini, Gifting, Bonacorsi, Seewer, Monticelli, Bogers, Coldenhoff, Lapucci in 10th. Coldenhoff getting his speed as he passed both Monticelli and Bogers and moved into seventh place behind Seewer.

The lead by Gajser was now just 4.7 second and Coenen pushing hard to get to the leader and on lap 12 the top ten was Gajser, Coenen, Guadagnini, Gifting, Bonacorsi, Coldenhoff, Monticelli, Seewer, Bogers and Nickel. Lapucci now in 11th.

Coenen suddenly in the lead as Gajser made a mistake and crashed and then Coenen also went down and the two battled for the win in the final two laps. Coenen looking a little wild as he passed lapped riders, but the super talent has a win already in the 450 class.

MXGP Moto One