A hot weekend in Spain concludes the ninth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle topped the podium at the MXGP of Spain.
In the first MXGP race, the Fox Holeshot went to Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado as Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Maxime Renaux followed in second ahead of Team HRC’s Tim Gajser.
Renaux was not looking to hang around as he swiftly moved into the lead as Gajser began to come under pressure from a hard-charging Brian Bogers of Standing Construct Husqvarna Factory Racing.
It looked like Prado was getting ready to launch an attack onto Renaux for first place but found himself in hot waters when Gajser began to edge closer and apply the pressure too. Prado then made a mistake, which allowed Gajser down the inside and into second place.
Renaux then set the fastest lap of the race as he gapped Gajser by 2.125 seconds, all while Prado was being pressured by Bogers. Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff was also there in fifth.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Seewer then crashed out of seventh and got going in 12th as Prado also made a mistake but managed to keep it on two wheels. Seewer then fought his way back up to 11th after passing Team HRC’s Mitch Evans who dropped a few positions by the end.
Despite closing down the gap on several occasions, Gajser could not find an opportunity to pass Renaux, with the Frenchman going on to win the race. Gajser crossed the line in second, ahead of Prado, Bogers, Coldenhoff and Honda 114 Motorsports’ Ruben Fernandez who placed sixth.
In the second race, the Fox Holeshot went to Prado once again as he led Renaux, Coldenhoff, Bogers and Guadagnini, while Gajser got squeezed.
In the opening lap, Coldenhoff took second from Renaux, who responded immediately to take back the position. This allowed Prado to edge out by a couple of seconds as Renaux and Coldenhoff continued to battle it out.
Prado then set the fastest lap of the race on lap five before going down shortly after. The Spaniard got going fairly quickly as he re-joined the race just ahead of Gajser, though the Slovenian was able to pass him very quickly as he carried better momentum.
This meant that Renaux led the way, with Bogers third, separating the three Yamaha riders, as Seewer was running well in fourth. Guadagnini then began to close in on Seewer, as Gajser continued to struggle to find an opportunity around the Italian.
There was not much change inside the top 10 as riders settled into their positions, with Renaux keeping a cool head ahead of his teammate who remained close throughout. In the final few laps, we saw Prado battled with Fernandez, though the Honda rider was able to keep his fellow countryman at bay, as Prado crashed again and finished 11th.Renaux went on to win the race ahead of Coldenhoff, Bogers, Seewer, Guadagnini and Gajser, winning his third MXGP race of the year.
A 1-1 result gave Renaux a fast-track ticket to the top step of the podium, as the rookie celebrated his first ever MXGP overall victory. Coldenhoff placed second after going 5-2 in the races, ahead of Bogers who made his return to the box since Portugal for third overall.
Gajser failed to mount the podium after another tough weekend, though remains the championship leader in MXGP with a 66-point advantage over Renaux, while Seewer remains third in the standings.
“It’s really great for me.” said Renaux. “First overall win in MXGP with a double race win and like you said, it’s a nice [birthday] gift for my mum.”
“Actually, the deal was to get the Fox Holeshot for her but I couldn’t unfortunately. But the day was great, I felt great on the track, had a good feeling from Saturday and then some good starts today. Two consistent races, no mistakes and yeah took the race wins. So, I’m really happy and waiting for my home GP next week!.”
