Antonio Cairoli put on a dominant performance in the MX1 class, sweeping both motos.

FIM Motocross World Championship title favourites Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings have both risen to the occasion at the Valkenswaard GP on Monday, taking convincing wins in their respective classes.

In the MX1 class Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cairoli says he struggled with bike setup during the day, but eventually overcame these issues and swept both motos, taking the top spot on the podium.

“I just rode a smart race with not so many mistakes,” Cairoli said. “I had a good speed and also good fitness levels so everything was good to take the won.

“Riding in the sand is just fun for me and I don’t really get tired. Now I look forward to see what my speed is like on hard pack!”

Behind Cairoli, Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Clemente Desalle took second in both motos, while Monster Energy Yamaha’s Steven Frossard rounded out the podium taking third in both motos on the day.

Australia’s Dean Ferris sat out the season opener, still recovering from a recent elbow injury suffered during the pre-season.

In the MX2 class Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Herlings again showed why he is known as the ‘king of the sand’, taking convincing wins in both motos, finishing over 50-seconds ahead of his nearest rival in one moto.

“I knew was going to be fast and that no one could stay with me if I was riding well,” he revealed. “But although I rode well my starts weren’t that good even if I managed to make up the ground I lost.

“I think in Bulgaria if I ride well, stay healthy and make a good start I can win there too. We’ll do our best. I know the team is behind me and I have a good bike, so it all comes down to me.”

Chasing Herlings was Team Floride Monster Energy Pro Circuit’s Joel Roelants, the Belgian taking 3-2 moto finishes, landing a second overall on the day.

Behind Roelants was his teammate Tommy Searle, who said he was pleased with his 2-3 moto finishes, as he is not a sand specialist and is excited to head to Bulgaria and see how he measures up to Herlings on the hard pack.

The FIM World Championship now heads to Sevlievo in Bulgaria for the second round of GP action.

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