While it was Kawasaki factory rider Romain Febvre who won the opening MXGP race, the big story was a lap one crash by Tim Gajser, which cost him damage to his machine (a foot peg) and he eventually finished in 17th place and handed the red plate and points lead back to Jorge Prado, who finished in second place in the moto.

Championship points are now Jorge Prado 918 points, Tim Gajser 914pts and Jeffrey Herlings 877pts. So, a four point lead by Prado, with Herlings now 41 points behind Prado.

Romain Febvre: It was good. I was faster, clearly. I had a medium start but came back strong and got a lead. It is tough out there, the humidity is at the top.

MXGP Moto One

Seewer led from Fernandez, then Prado and Gajser is down and way back in 19th place. Fernandez into the lead as he passed Seewer and then Prado, Febvre, Coldenhoff, Herlings, Pancar, Horgmo, Bonacorsi, and Renaux 10th. Aussies Gibbs and Waters in 13th and 14th. Gajser quickly up to 16th place and then 14th.

Lap one and Fernandez still led, then Seewer 1.9 seconds back and Prado 2.2 back in third. Gajser up to 13th place, then 12th as he passed Waters and Bogers. Prado into second and now holder of the red plate and extending his lead as he passed the rider from Switzerland. Gajser another mistake and dropped to 15th. Has the pressure got to the five time World champion?

Prado all over the other HRC man Fernandez for the lead and the top ten on lap three was Fernandez, Prado, Seewer, Febvre, Coldenhoff, Herlings, Horgmo, Renaux, Pancar, Guillod. Gajser in 14th spot.

Fernandez getting away a little as Seewer and Febvre close up on Prado for second. Febvre passed Seewer and Gajser into 12th place and regained the red plate in the points. Herlings into fifth place, but just not the same speed as in Lombok, Loket, Lommel and Arnhem.

Lap seven it was Fernandez with a two second lead by Febvre, who had passed Prado for second and Prado fighting back, but not able to repass the Frenchman. These two swapping places and behind Seewer also looking to make his mark. Gajser still in 12th place.

Febvre right onto Fernandez and Seewer half a second behind Prado, with Herlings next, then Renaux, Coldenhoff, Pancar, Guillod, and Horgmo 10th. Prado looking back over the jump, maybe trying to find where Gajser was? Gajser not making much progress on getting to Guadganini, who is ahead of him.

Incredible that the big three are in third, fifth and 12th after owning most of the podium finishes in motos this year. Prado closing back up on Fernandez and Febvre. Febvre into the lead and Herlings closing up a little on Seewer, who is right behind Prado and Fernandez. Pado into second as he passed his countryman, but Fernandez repassed and then Prado again into second place.

Gajser dropped back to 13th place as Forato passed him, and the HRC man is likely going to lose the red plate. Herlings into fourth and passed Seewer. Gajser in 17th and out of the moto with some type of problem with his bike. Herlings into third place as he passed Fernandez.

On lap 13 it was Febvre, Prado, Herlings, Seewer, Fernandez, Renaux, Coldenhoff, Pancar, Horgmo, and Guadagnini. Gajser still in 17th place. Lap 15 and the lead by Febvre was 5.1 seconds and in third Herlings some three seconds off Prado, then came Fernandez, Seewer, Coldenhoff, Renaux (who crashed), Pancar, Horgmo, and Guadagnini.

Febvre and Prado lapped Tim Gajser, who was two laps down on the leaders (one lap spent in the mechanics area). Febvre wins from Prado and Herlings. Drama for Gajser in 17th spot.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 - Classification

1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), 34:32.847; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:05.726; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:08.376; 4. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:10.859; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), +0:14.259; 6. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:16.664; 7. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Honda), +0:19.004; 8. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +0:21.709; 9. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:23.781; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:28.471; 11. Alberto Forato (ITA, Honda), +0:51.056; 12. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:56.853; 13. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +1:01.226; 14. Brian Bogers (NED, Fantic), +1:05.051; 15. Kevin Brumann (SUI, Husqvarna), +1:26.305; 16. Kirk Gibbs (AUS, GASGAS), +1:32.239; 17. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), -2 lap(s); 18. Yang Pu (CHN, Yamaha), -4 lap(s); 19. Jun Kai Wang (CHN, Honda), -6 lap(s); 20. Todd Waters (AUS, Husqvarna), -12 lap(s); 21. He Rong Zhe (CHN, Yamaha), -12 lap(s);

MXGP - World Championship Classification

1. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 918 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 914 p.; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 877 p.; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 643 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 591 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 561 p.; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 550 p.; 8. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 417 p.; 9. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 352 p.; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, FAN), 313 p.; 11. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, YAM), 308 p.; 12. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 295 p.; 13. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 274 p.; 14. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), 249 p.; 15. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, KTM), 197 p.; 16. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 197 p.; 17. Isak Gifting (SWE, YAM), 166 p.; 18. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 151 p.; 19. Alberto Forato (ITA, HON), 127 p.; 20. Ben Watson (GBR, BET), 110 p.; 21.

Pascal Haudiquert/Kawasaki image