Image: Ray Archer.

Tim Gajser (Gariboldi Honda) and Jeffrey Herlings (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) have been crowned world champions in their respective categories at the penultimate round of the 2016 FIM World Motocross Championship in Charlotte, United States of America.

Gajser (MXGP) and Herlings (MX2) both held a large enough advantage in the championship standings to wrap up their world titles in the opening motos at Charlotte Motor Speedway, despite one round still remaining.

AMA Pro Motocross regular Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) dominated the MXGP class, claiming two convincing victories over a star-studded field.

Newly crowned champion Gajser was awarded second overall following his 4-2 results, while Jeremy Van Horebeek (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing) concluded the podium in third.

Glenn Coldenhoff (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Clement Desalle (Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team) would round out the top five in fourth and fifth respectively.

JGR Yamaha’s Justin Barcia displayed a promising performance in race one to claim second, however a DNF in moto two denied the American a potential spot on the overall podium.

In the MX2 category, Cooper Webb (Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha) completed the weekend just two points ahead of three-time world champion Herlings after the pair shared race wins over the two motos.

Race two saw Webb fight from the rear of the field to overcome Herlings in the closing stages of the race, which ultimately rewarded him with the overall victory.

Austin Forkner (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) secured the final spot on the podium after concluding the event with a 3-2 scorecard, finishing ahead of Thomas Covington (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) and Calvin Vlaanderen (HSF Logistics Motorsports).