Source: MXGP.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM’s Shaun Simpson and Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Max Anstie took the qualifying heat victories on Saturday at Lommel, Belgium, round of the 2015 MXGP World Championship.

With exceptional weather and a sand track that had shaped up gnarlier than ever, the gates dropped for the qualifier and the rookie sand sensation, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff edged out Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos for the holeshot.

Strijbos was quick to get around Coldenhoff but it didn’t matter, both Suzuki riders’ claim to fame was short lived as Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo KTM’s Shaun Simpson lofted the quad on his way to the front.

Meanwhile, after randomly whipping out a fast lap in the last second of timed practice, Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Romain Febvre tried to challenge Simpson for the lead but eventually let him have it and sat back for an easy second.

Back in third, Strijbos and Coldenhoff made for a fast moving blur of yellow as they tossed the position about. In the end, it was the seasoned Belgian, Strijbos who managed to take third.

Coldenhoff put in yet another solid performance for fourth while Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Jeremy Van Horebeek rounded out the top five. Todd Waters was eighth, while Dean Ferris qualified 15th.

While two Belgians made up the top five, unfortunately Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Clement Desalle will not be racing this weekend after his shoulder popped out in timed practice.

Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki’s Max Anstie pulled the holeshot and initially looked to be taking his time in finding good lines in MX2.

Sure enough he found some that worked for him and let that number 99 ‘dance’, as he would say, for his third-consecutive qualifying heat victory of the season.

Second went to Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Petar Petrov who was so fast all day. He literally lives less than five minutes from the circuit in Lommel, so for those that know him and have seen him ride in the sand would have known that he was capable of such a performance.

Petrov rode amazing for second while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass withstood the pressure of a charging Kemea Yamaha Yamalube’s Brent Van Doninck for third.

The head turner in this race was definitely the local kid Brent Van Doninck, who put in a lap time a full second faster than anyone else.

Van Doninck came from a mediocre start, outside the top 10, for an outstanding fourth ahead of Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Jeremy Seewer who rode smart for fifth.

Click here for detailed results