Honda HRC PETRONAS rider Jeffrey Herlings made it 18 chequered flags in a row, as the Dutchman won the MXGP of China qualifying race in what is an impressive venue in Shanghai.

The #84 also managed to win both free and timed practice, to keep his session win-streak alive, which now stands at an incredible 35. It almost didn’t happen though as a nasty tumble in free practice threatened to derail his chances, but thankfully he was able to show his toughness to battle through the timed practice and then a gruelling qualifying race.

Starting in second-place, he made a quick move on the leader on the first lap, but then was unable to pull away and instead had constant pressure to deal with as the temperatures approached 30C. However, he showed here, just like has in the past that he is able to withstand a rider on his back wheel and eventually managed to cross the line with a three second cushion.

After a poor jump, Tom Vialle was uncharacteristically down in third place round the first corner and unable to really gain enough ground to make it a three-way battle for the lead. At one stage Jeffrey and him were trading fastest laps of the race, but he couldn’t quite get the tow from second to really make a move. Instead he settled for third place, with the knowledge that a better jump tomorrow will improve his chances as he looks to try and get himself onto the podium for the fourth time in a row.

With more hot temperatures forecast for tomorrow, both riders are preparing for a gruelling day of action, but one that should hopefully be another successful one as the campaign enters its penultimate chapter.

MXGP Qualifying Race
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, Honda), 24:12.465; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:03.007; 3. Tom Vialle (FRA, Honda), +0:22.433; 4. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +0:37.266; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:40.834; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Ducati), +0:43.280; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, Beta), +0:44.482; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KTM), +0:46.709; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Kawasaki), +0:48.671; 10. Dylan Walsh (NZL, KTM), +1:32.329;

Tom Vialle 16

Honda HRC PETRONAS

I didn’t get the best start and although I came round the first corner in third, I wasn’t able to really run with the first two in the early lap and that made my life pretty hard. I pushed to catch up, but then a small mistake dropped me back and I just settled for third place. I know I can start better so that is the aim tomorrow and I think if I can start in front, I have a chance to win.

Jeffrey Herlings 84

Honda HRC PETRONAS

It was a tough day and the crash in the first practice didn’t help the situation. Thankfully I’m okay from that, and I was able to keep winning each session but I’d have definitely preferred not to have crashed! In the race I didn’t get the holeshot, but I made an early pass and then I just controlled the race. I wasn’t able to pull away, which would have made life easier but I still won and that’s the main thing.

Marcus Pereira de Freitas –

Honda HRC PETRONAS

Good to see both our riders challenging at the front of the field and swapping fastest laps in the qualifying race. I think Tom is a little disappointed he couldn’t battle with the front two, but I think tomorrow he will be better and he is definitely motivated. The crash from Jeffrey in free practice definitely showed how quickly things can change, but thankfully he just has a couple of bumps and still showed in the race his pace and fitness to make the pass and then hold onto the lead. We’re definitely hoping for another double-podium tomorrow!

📸 @shotbybavo