Securing a strong third place result in the opening moto, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington has wrapped up round nine of the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship by earning fifth overall in the MX2 category at the GP of Great Britain. 

Taking place at the famous track in the south of England, round nine of the 2018 series proved to be a challenging one for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. Spearheading the team’s efforts, Covington was just six points behind a provisional MX2 podium result. Third in the opening moto, the FC 250 mounted rider battled through an average moto two start to claim a ninth place result in the last MX2 moto. 

The GP of Great Britain was one of mixed fortunes for Covington’s Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Thomas Kjer-Olsen. Earning a solid third place result in the Qualifying Race, the young Dane was unable to finish either moto due to technical issues. Remaining third in the provisional MX2 World Championship standings, Kjer-Olsen is now looking ahead to the upcoming GP in France. 

Returning to the track where he dominated both motos during the 2017 Motocross of Nations, Max Anstie showed good speed during the weekend on home British soil. Collecting a set of 13/12 results, the FC 450 powered rider was 10th overall in the elite MXGP category. 

For Gautier Paulin, the GP of Great Britain proved to be challenging. Battling his way through a crash in the opening lap of the first moto, the Frenchman secured 18/15 results for 18th overall at the British GP. 

The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team will return to action at the 10th round of the 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship in Saint Jean d'Angely, France on June 9/10. 

Thomas Covington: “Things worked quite well for me this weekend and I enjoyed the British GP. I had a decent start in the opening moto and managed to put myself in a good position. We had a great battle with Thomas [Kjer-Olsen] and I was happy to secure a third place result. My start was not as good in the second moto and I had to battle my way from the back of the leading pack. A small crash halfway through the moto made things harder, so I had to settle for ninth at the line. Overall, it was a positive weekend and I’m happy we’ve made some big improvements since the last GP.” 

Thomas Kjer-Olsen: “This weekend we showed the speed was there to battle for the top three. We had some good battles in both motos and I was feeling great on my bike. Unfortunately a small technical issue didn’t let me finish the motos. It’s disappointing that I couldn’t collect points here in England but it is what it is. Overall, my pace has been good during the last few GPs and from now on it’s up to me to go out there and battle for the results we want.” 

Max Anstie: “I’ve had some great memories at this track and I really wanted to do my best in front of the British fans. The speed was there throughout the weekend but unfortunately I could not get the best of starts in either of the two motos. Starting from the back of the pack in both motos I ended up getting 13th in moto one and 12th in moto two for 10th in the overall. We will keep working hoping for some improved results in the next GPs.” 

Gautier Paulin: “It was a challenging weekend for us. Getting sixth in the qualifying race I was hoping for some good results during the final motos. In the opening moto I got off to a good start but a few corners later a crash made things a lot harder. In moto two my start was not good and a few mistakes forced me to settle for 15th at the line. We’re putting this weekend behind us and looking ahead now. We’re now heading to the GP of France and I will do my best for a good overall result in front of the French fans.”

Results – 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship, Round 9 

MXGP - Overall 
1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 50pts; 2. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 44; 3. Romain Febvre (Yamaha) 36… 10. Max Anstie (Husqvarna) 17… 18. Gautier Paulin (Husqvarna) 9… 22. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna) 3 

MXGP - Race 1 
1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 14 laps, 35:58.965; 2. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 36:09.153; 3. Tim Gajser (Honda) 36:13.492… 13. Max Anstie (Husqvarna) 37:18.810… 18. Gautier Paulin (Husqvarna) 37:29.235… 20. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna) 37:31.084… 26. Ander Valentin (Husqvarna) 38:34.149 

MXGP - Race 2 
1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 14 laps, 35:26.698; 2. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 35:27.848; 3. Romain Febvre (Yamaha) 36:06.843… 12. Max Anstie (Husqvarna) 37:10.193… 15. Gautier Paulin (Husqvarna) 37:24.359… 19. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna) 37:34.761… 22. Ander Valentin (Husqvarna) 13 laps, 35:43.305 

MX2 - Overall 
1. Paul Jonass (KTM) 50pts; 2. Jorge Prado (KTM) 44; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (Honda) 38… 5. Thomas Covington (Husqvarna) 32; 6. Henry Jacobi (Husqvarna) 30; 7. Iker Larranaga (Husqvarna) 25… 16. Brent Van doninck (Husqvarna) 9 

MX2 - Race 1 
1. Pauls Jonass (KTM) 14 laps, 36:21.354; 2. Jorge Prado (KTM) 36:22.194; 3. Thomas Covington (Husqvarna) 37:10.394… 7. Henry Jacobi (Husqvarna) 37:23.145… 11. Iker Larranaga (Husqvarna) 37:42.492… 15. Brent Van doninck (Husqvarna) 37:49.973 

MX2 - Race 2 1. Pauls Jonass (KTM) 14 laps, 36:42.951; 2. Jorge Prado (KTM) 36:44.245; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (Honda) 37:21.444… 5. Henry Jacobi (Husqvarna) 37:37.032; 6. Iker Larranaga (Husqvarna) 37:41.614… 9. Thomas Covington (Husqvarna) 37:56.868… 18. Brent Van doninck (Husqvarna) 38:38.999 

Championship Standings – After Round 9 

MXGP 
1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 436pts; 2. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 382; 3. Clement Desalle (Kawasaki) 314… 5. Gautier Paulin (Husqvarna) 267… 14. Max Anstie (Husqvarna) 113... 19. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna) 54… 26. Harri Kullas (Husqvarna) 15… 28. Ander Valentin (Husqvarna) 8 

MX2 
1. Pauls Jonass (KTM) 401pts; 2. Jorge Prado (KTM) 373; 3. Thomas Kjer-Olsen (Husqvarna) 288… 7. Henry Jacobi (Husqvarna) 187… 9. Thomas Covington (Husqvarna) 166… 12. Iker Larranaga (Husqvarna) 147… 18. Brent Van Doninck (Husqvarna) 74… 34. Dylan Walsh (Husqvarna) 6… 40. Andrea Zanotti (Husqvarna) 2