Image: Supplied.

Former champion Jeffrey Herlings has opened the 2020 MXGP World Championship by securing victory at Matterley Basin’s first round in Great Britain.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider won the day convincingly after recording a 1-2 scorecard, defeating reigning world champion Tim Gajser (Team HRC), who was forced to salvage eighth in race one before winning moto two.

Antonio Cairoli (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was third with 4-3 race results, followed by Jeremy Seewer (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing) and premier class rookie Mitch Evans (Team HRC), the Australian making an impressive debut with 3-7 moto finishes.

In the MX2 category, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jago Geerts emerged victorious after lodging 1-4 race results, defeating race two winner Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who was sixth in moto one.

Third was credited to Mikkel Haarup (F&H Racing Kawasaki), while Jed Beaton (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) was just shy of the podium with a strong 2-6 scorecard. Rene Hoffer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was fifth.

Defending MXW champion Courtney Duncan (Kawasaki) dominated the women’s category over Larissa Papenmeier (Yamaha) and Kiara Fontanesi (KTM).

Detailed results