Team Honda 114 Motorsports' rider Hunter Lawrence has taken the win at Lacapelle-Marival International, the final pre-season motocross race before the FIM MXGP gets underway.
Lawrence thrived in the through muddy conditions of the French circuit and claimed MX2 class top-honours ahead of Factory Husqvarna rider Thomas Kjer Olsen.
Fellow Aussie Jed Beaton also put in the solid performance, bringing home his Kawasaki for third.
MX2 World Champion Pauls Jonass took his KTM 250 SX-F to fourth position overall. The Latvian holeshotted and aced the first outing but a broken goggle lens forced a pitstop in the second affair and he just miss out on the overall top three.
Jeffrey Herlings topped the time sheets and classifications all day (Free & Timed Practice, both MX1 motos and the Superfinal) to claim a comfortable victory. “A great weekend: I felt good on the bike and on the track and there was a lot of riding today,” said Herlings. “I missed my start in the Superfinal but worked my way up from fifth place and felt really comfortable. The bike is awesome at the moment, so I have to give-it-up to Red Bull KTM. The whole team is working hard and I really appreciate that and what they have done for me. I cannot wait for the season to start.”
MX1
1. Jeffrey Herlings, Red Bull KTM
2. Clement Desalle, Kawasaki
3. Max Anstie, Husqvarna
4. Shaun Simpson, Yamaha
5. Harri Kullas, Husqvarna
MX2
1. Hunter Lawrence, Honda
2. Thomas Kjer Olsen, Husqvarna
3. Jed Beaton, Kawasaki
4. Pauls Jonass, Red Bull KTM
5. Adam Sterry, Kawasaki