Cairoli, Ferrandis Top Qualifying in Thailand

Youthstream PR

SI RACHA (Thailand), - The heat of the sun beaming down on the golden soil of Si Racha was nothing in comparison to the heat of the racing here for qualifying at round two of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Reigning world champion Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli appeared to be back to full strength, taking his first pole position of the year while CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis is proving to be a strong force in the MX2 taking home his first qualifying heat win.

When the gates dropped for MXGP’s qualifying race, it was evident the holiday was over for typical MXGP front runners Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Clement Desalle and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, when the duo went one two around turn one. Although it was initially Desalle who led the way, Cairoli made it known he meant business today passing Desalle a few corners in and running away with the win. While Desalle kept Cairoli honest in the early stages, the moment arrived when he decided to settle for second and let Cairoli go. Back in third, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek was forced to entertain himself with no challenge or defense, while the battle for fourth, a further six seconds back, was looking sharp. HM Plant KTM UK’s Shaun Simpson was showing that same brilliant form he showed late last year when he held off the wrath of fellow Brit CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Tommy Searle for fifth.  The current red plate holder Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin put in a fantastic ride after his shocking start, to chase his teammate Steven Frossard home for seventh.

In the MX2 qualifying heat, CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis was put to the ultimate test when he took the holeshot ahead of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings and Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Glenn Coldenhoff. Herlings, who had admittedly put his struggles in Qatar down to his bad starts, was in the prime position to pounce, but bobbled on turn two allowing Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre to sneak through. Quick to respond to his early mistake, Herlings passed Febvre early in lap two and was soon back on the tails of the hard charging leaders Ferrandis and Coldenhoff.