FEBVRE WINS GRAND PRIX OF INDONESIA; LUCAS COENEN TAKES 250 VICTORY

Jorge Prado didn’t win the 450 overall in Indonesia, but he extended his point lead in the 450 class to 101 points over second place Romain Febvre. Jeffrey Herlings, who is injured fell back to third in the standings and is now 119 points adrift to Prado.

The tenth round of the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship marked the first round of the double header in Indonesia and, in classic MXGP style, there were only 19 riders in the 450 GP and 21 riders in the 250 class (if you count the 5 pack fillers from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia—who could be beat by local pros in America or Europe). But, a Grand Prix is a Grand Prix and it paid full points to anyone who could get there.

450 CLASS

32-year-old Romain Febvre used a 2-1 to beat Jorge Prado’s 1-3 and moved into second in the 450 World standings.

In MXGP it was Kawasaki ’s Romain Febvre who came out victorious for the first time in the 2023 season in front of GasGas Factory rider Jorge Prado and Yamaha factory rider Jeremy Seewer.

Romain Febvre said, “I needed this victory and it is always welcomed especially in these kind of conditions, but I really liked this track from last year. I felt very comfortable in the first moto, made my own mistakes but I showed in the second moto that I was riding very well and that I was fast. I am happy to win here and I hope for more wins this season.”

Jorge Prado doesn’t want to play it safe with his big points lead. In Indonesia he pushed hard to try to notch another win.

Jorge Prado said, “It was definitely a good weekend for me. I got to win moto one which was amazing. I keep winning races week in and week out which is very positive. I am happy with a second overall and I need to keep going for the wins”

Jeremy Seewer said, “It feels very good to be on the podium especially after my fourth in Germany. Something happened in moto two because I felt very good after the first corner. I got aggressive straight away in the first lap and make some moves while maintain my energy pretty well. Now onto the next round.”

With Tim Gajser almost ready to return to action after a pre-season injury, Ruben Fernandez has been holding down the Honda fort. Ruben is fourth in 450 points and only 12 points out of third place.

450 RESULTS: INDONESIAN GRAND PRIX #1
1. Romain Febvre (Kaw)…2-1
2. Jorge Prado (Gas)…1-3
3. Jeremy Seewer (Yam)…3-2
4. Glenn Coldenhoff (Yam)…4-5
5. Calvin Vlaanderen (Yam)…6-4
6. Ruben Fernandez (Hon)…5-6
7. Alberti Forato (KTM)…7-8
8. Mitch Evans (Kaw)…9-7
9. Valentin Guillod (Hon)…10-9
10. Benoit Paturel (Yam)…8-11

450 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
(After 10 of 19 rounds)
1. Jorge Prado…505
2. Romain Febvre…404
3. Jeffrey Herlings…386
4. Ruben Fernandez…374
5. Jeremy Seewer…371
6. Glenn Coldenhoff…346
7. Calvin Vlaanderen…324
8. Alberti Forato…256
9. Valentin Guillod…229
10. Mattia Guadagnini…203

250 CLASS

Lucas Coenen, a relative unknown outside of Belgium when the season started, led an all-Belgian sweep of the 250 podium in front of countrymen Liam Everts and Jago Geerts.

In the 250 class Husqvarna’s16-year-old Lucas Coenen got his first career victory in style with a perfect 1-1 ahead of his countrymen Liam Everts and Jago Geerts for the first full Belgium podium since 2014 (when Clement Desalle won in front of Jeremy Van Horebeek and Kevin Strijbos at Talavera).

Lucas Coenen said “It’s hard to describe how happy I am. I really want to thank everybody behind me, my manager, my physio, my mechanics and a special thanks to my dad for all his hard work. Next round is Lombok and we will get some fun.”

Liam Everts said, “I had to fight hard in the second moto to get to second but in the end I got the job done and got second on the podium. I am happy to walk away safe and with another podium, I am super happy.”

Jago Geerts started the 2023 season as the odds-on favorite to win the 2023 FIM 250 World Championship, but after dominating the opening rounds, he crashed and had to sit out a couple races. He has worked his way back to fourth in the standings, but is stil 58 points behind points leader Andrea Adamo.

Jago Geerts said “My aim was to be on the podium, but Saturday I woke up with a fever that made things very difficult for me, as I was not fit. Today I felt a little bit better so I am very happy to be on the podium. We will take some rest this week and go back and fight for the next Grand Prix”

250 RESULTS: INDONESIAN GRAND PRIX #1
1. Lucas Coenen (Hus)…1-1
2. Liam Everts (KTM)…2-2
3. Jago Geerts (Yam)…5-3
4. Andrea Adamo (Hon)…3-7
5. Thibault Benistant (Yam)…6-4
6. Kevin Horgmo (Kaw)…7-5
7. Simon Langenfelder (Gas)…4-10
8. Roan Van De Moosdijk (Hus)..8-6
9. Jan Pancar (KTM)… 11-8
10. Kay de Wolf (Hus)…9-9

GasGas factory rider Simon Langenfelder was another rider who started the season hot and then got hurt, but he showed up in Indonesia ready to race. Simon went 4-10.

250 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
(After 10 of 19 rounds)
1. Andrea Adamo…439
2. Thibault Benistant…432
3. Kay de Wolf…417
4. Jago Geerts…381
5. Liam Everts…381
6. Roan Van De Moosdijk…373
7. Lucas Coenen…315
8. Simon Laengenfelder…295
9. Kevin Horgmo…268
10. Jan Pancar…217

 

Photos: Ray Archer, Kawasaki, MXGP & Honda.