LOKET (Czech Republic) 28 July 2019 – The iconic world famous circuit of Loket hosted the 13^th round of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship where Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvrehad a brilliant performance winning his first GP after St.Jean d’Angely 2016 while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado took again the occasion to show his dominance in MX2 in front of thousands of amazed Czech fans. 

At the Gate drop of MXGP Race 1 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer took the FOX Holeshot ahead of his teammate Romain Febvreand Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, but Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP rider Gautier Paulin pushed the HRC rider to the side and moved into third place. Gajser moved back past Paulin to get back into third place, and behind him came Paulin and Team HRC’s Brian Bogers.

Febvre made gains with a pass on Seewer for first place at the opening lap. After three laps Febvre held just over a second to Seewer, followed by Gajser, Paulin and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Arminas Jasikoniswho moved past Bogers for fifth. A lot happening mid pack as Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass was all over Bogers for sixth place while Jasikonis was doing the same to Paulin for fourth position.

After eight laps it was still Febvre leading with around four seconds between himself and Seewer, with Gajser losing ground on the two Yamaha riders. Gajser started pushing harder at the end of the race and closed up on Seewer for second place.

After 13 laps Febvre held a four-second lead over Seewer with Gajser all over the Yamaha riders in third, then came Paulin and Jasikonis.

Gajser moved into second place after passing Seewer and added a few points to his championship lead. Gajser then easily pulled away from Seewer and seemed to be going after Febvre for the race win. Febvre though was too good and Gajser found himslef settled for the second place. Febvre won race 1 in Loket from Gajser and Seewer finishing third.

Race 2 started nearly identicalfor Seewer who again took the FOX Holeshot and led the way ahead of Gajser, Paulin, Febvre and Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP Arnaud Tonus. Febvre was quickly into third place and passed Paulin. Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tommy Searle also pushed hard as he moved into fifth place while Febvre moved forward in the early going of the race and looked to get to the front; the French moved into second place while Gajser seemed to back it down a little as both Seewer and Febvre were riding on the edge and very close. On lap three Febvre tried to make a pass on Seewer but couldn’t get past.

Gajser, after taking a little rest started pushing again and was back onto the two front guys. A brilliant battle for first place between the two Monster Energy Yamaha riders was set leaving Gajser sitting back watching it all. Febvre managed to move into first place on lap six.

Gajser started putting massive pressure on Seewer for second and pushed to get past but had to wait. Gajser rode past Seewer to move into second and started chasing after the leader. 

Back in 9^thposition Searle crashed into the wire fence and his bike was stuck dropping himself into 21^st. 

Top ten after seven laps was Febvre, Gajser, Seewer, Paulin, Tonus, Honda SR Motoblouz’ Jeremy Van Horebeek, Jonass, Standing Construct KTM’s Glenn Coldenhoff, Jasikonis and Standing Construct KTM’s Max Anstie in 10^th. After nine laps suddenly Gajser was onto Febvre with just two seconds separating them two front guys.

Febvre settled and took command of the race, winning his third race of the season from Gajser and Seewer.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre has won the MXGPof Czech Republic at the Loket circuit with a brilliant 1-1 performance and scored his first Grand Prix victory in three years. Second overall was Team HRC’s Tim Gajser with 2-2 scores and third Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer with 3-3 results. Tim Gajser goes to Lommel with 177 points ahead of Seewer and with a change to gain the title at the MXGP of Belgium. 

Roman Febvre: “I’m really happy about it. The road was long but I really had a perfect weekend. This means everything. A victory you can’t describe, I stalled the bike in the second race and Tim closed the gap and I opened the gap. We had a good start in the first race, was second behind my team-mate and I passed him quickly, he was following me, but I was comfortable, and I didn’t take pressure from them. I am happy to win for my team.”

Tim Gajser: “I am happy overall. Yesterday I struggled because the bumps were hard. I finished second both times and Romain was quick on this track, so I am happy for him. Also, thanks to the fans and my team, I’m looking forward to Lommel now”

Jeremy Seewer: “Romain was on another level all weekend and how relaxed he was. From my side I struggled in free practice and timed practice and we made some changes. Three in a row and I try and be better and better. It is a tough competition with Romain and Tim. Now I look forward to Lommel and some sand.”

Main Photo: Romain Febvre

Bottom Photos: 1. Tim Gajser; 2. Jeremy Seewer

In MX2 Class Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado scored the 27^th Grand Prix win of his short career with a perfect 1-1 result at the Grand Prix of Czech Republic. The win also extended Prado’s points lead in the series points, with 90 points separating Prado from second placed man Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen. Second overall at Loket was F&H Racing Kawasaki’s Henry Jacobi and third Olsen.

Just as he does so often Prado took the FOX Holeshot in the opening MX2 race followed by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle, Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen, Jacobi, and Marchetti Racing Team KTM’s Iker Larranaga in fifth place. Vlaanderen battled hard with Vialle and was looking to get past the French teenager.

After a lap the lead was one second and further back in the pack Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Official MX2’s Jago Geerts moved into eight position. F&H Racing Kawasaki’s Adam Sterry was into the top ten as he was in ninth place. Two laps in and Prado was still just a second ahead and Vlaanderen looked desperate to get past Vialle and get a crack at the leader. Not a lot of position changes in the top ten and the lead went to nearly three seconds as Prado led Vialle and Vlaanderen.

Olsen moved into fifth position as he passed Larranaga, and Vialle continued to keep Vlaanderen from the leader. Beaton went past Larranaga and began his chase of his team-mate Olsen while Geerts was also looking to pass Larranaga. Prado continued to lead Vialle by three seconds, and the second placed man had moved away from Vlaanderen.

Sterry was pushing hard to get past Larranaga, and the two nearly collided on a couple of occasions. After seven laps it was Prado, Vialle, Vlaanderen, Jacobi, Olsen, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jed Beaton, Geerts, Larranaga, Sterry and Bud Racing’s Kawasaki’s Brian Moreau in 10^th.

Vialle and Vlaanderen collided and both went down hard. Vlaanderen picked himself up in 10^th place, but Vialle was out of the race as he cruised back to the mechanics area with a busted bike.

With the accident for second and third positions Prado suddenly had a big lead over Jacobi, then came Olsen, Beaton and Geerts in fifth. Prado eventually won it from Jacobi and Olsen. 

Prado’s FOX Holeshot power was shown also in race 2 as he led the second MX2 race from Vialle, Jacobi and Vlaanderen. Sterry was also in amongst the leaders in fifth place and Olsen was back in seventh place.

After four laps the lead by Prado was more than two seconds with Vialle in safe second ahead of Jacobi, Vlaanderen and Sterry. Olsen continued to struggle a little in sixth place.

Jacobi moved past Vialle for second place and Vlaanderen started to put pressure on the young Frenchman. Vlaanderen and Sterry also moved past Vialle and then Olsen started to push for a passing move on Vialle. Prado in the meantime was miles ahead up front.

After 10 laps Prado held a 13 second lead over Jacobi, then came Vlaanderen, Sterry, and Olsen in fifth. Vlaanderen slipped over and was passed by Sterry, Olsen and Vialle. Geerts was also all over Vlaanderen for sixth position.

Vlaanderen came back on Vialle and was looking for a way past and on lap 13 he managed to pass the KTM rider. Geerts also passed Vialle as the Frenchman’s disappointing day continued. Sterry started to close up on Jacobi for second place, and further back Olsen was fourth, Vlaanderen fifth, Geerts sixth and Vialle seventh. 

Prado remained in command as the race closed down, holding a 15 second lead over Jacobi and Sterry, with Olsen and Vlaanderen continuing to remain inside the top five. Great move by Sterry to move into second place as he blasted past Jacobi in a corner. Prado won his 22^ndrace from Sterry and Jacobi.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado won the MX2 class overall, with 1-1 results, with F&H Racing Kawasaki Henry Jacobi second overall and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen third overall.

Jorge Prado: “It was unbelievable. Another two solid races and I enjoyed getting back to Europe and winning after the Asian rounds. I felt way better in the second race, got a good gap and pushed to get it home. Last year I got the red plate here, so it was nice to come back. Now I am looking forward to the Grand Prix in Lommel.

Henry Jacobi: “I got a third in the qualification race on Saturday, and I was lucky with the second in the first race and then third in the second race was enough for a podium finish. Adam (Sterry) was too quick in the second one, and the team did a great job today.”

Thomas Kjer Olsen: “Last weekend was tough after the crash in the second race and I am happy to be on the podium. I started the weekend slow but made some changes with the bike. I struggled with the start but made the most of it. I want to thank the team and my family and everyone who supports me.”

Main Photo: Jorge Prado

Bottom Photos: 1. Henry Jacobi; 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen

MXGP of Czech Republic – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1,586m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 25°

Weather conditions: partly cloudy

Weekend Crowd Attendance: 25,000

NEXT ROUND

The 14^th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship is taking place in Lommel, Belgium in 1-week time.