Image: Supplied.

A breakout MXGP double victory in Sardegna saw Calvin Vlaanderen convincingly take the overall, as Tom Vialle took the top step in MX2 as the title fight continues to intensify.

Vlaanderen (Gebben Van Veerooy Yamaha Racing) went 1-1 ahead of returning Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado, who landed P2 for the day courtesy of a pair of thirds.

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Glenn Coldenhoff crossed the line second in race two, which was enough to elevate the number 259 to third overall after he finished the first moto in P8.

Completing the top five behind Coldenhoff were teammates Maxime Renaux and Jeremy Seewer, the duo each notching a fourth and a sixth at Riola Sarda, Renaux’s strongest result coming in the second moto to give him the upper hand.

Red plate-holder Tim Gajser (Team HRC) finished second in race one, but a challenging race two saw him cross the line 12th after remounting from a fall, leaving him seventh overall at round eight.

It was a tough day for Australia’s Mitch Evans, the number 43 showing top five potential in the first race before the high temperatures took their toll and caused him to drop down the field in the closing stages.

In moto two Evans was involved in a first corner crash, losing his front brake in the aftermath. By the time he was able to rejoin the race he was well down the field and out of contention.

Gajser maintains a commanding advantage in the 2022 MXGP World Championship standings, leading Renaux by 79, as Seewer sits third a further 24 points adrift.

Image: Supplied.

Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and red plate-holder Jago Geerts (Monster Energy Yamaha MX2) split victories in MX2, Vialle earning the overall on countback.

Geerts was victorious in moto one by 8.8s over Vialle, but the Spaniard turned the tables in race two to take a narrow 0.3s victory ahead of the Yamaha rider in what was a thrilling end to the moto.

Completing the top three overall was Thibault Benistant (Monster Energy Yamaha MX2), courtesy of a 3-3 scorecard, as Kevin Hogmo (Kawasaki) and Andrea Adamo (GasGas) completed the top five for the round.

Geerts maintains a six-point lead over Vialle in the 2022 MX2 World Championship standings, with Simon Laegenfelder in third, 93 points from the red plate.

The third round of the MXW World Championship took place in Sardegna, as Shana van der Vlist (KTM) claimed the overall victory thanks to 1-2 results.

Moto two winner Nancy Van De Ven (Yamaha) landed second overall, a seventh in moto one ultimately costly as Daniela Guillen completed the top three.

Australian Tahlia Jade O’Hare (Honda 114 Motorsports) finished 14th overall, finishing P7 in the second moto.

Van De Ven continues to lead the championship after Riola Sardo, 12 points ahead of Lynn Valk (Yamaha) who finished second in the opening moto at round three before a zero points haul in the second race. Third in the standings is van der Vlist, just 16 back from the lead.

Detailed results