KTM had a pretty nice weekend in Arco di Trento as they won not only the MX1 and MX2 class, but also the EMX 125cc overall. While it was expected that the Red Bull KTM Factory team riders Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings would win the MX1 and MX2 class, the performance by Latvian rider Pauls Jonass of the Wilvo Nestaan JM Racing KTM was impressive, as he scored 1-1 results to win the EMX125 overall. “It feels great,” Jonass said. “My first win in the 125cc class. I learnt a lot last weekend, I was getting pushed the whole second race, and it was a fun race. With three laps to go I thought to myself I cannot let him pass him, I can’t let him get the overall. On Saturday the track was dry, but Sunday morning it was a little wet and perfect. Now I am really looking forward to the next round in Portugal and my home round in Latvia in July. I want to show my fans what I can do there. My main goal is to do my best in the 125cc class, then if I can race the MXoN that is just one race, so we see if that is possible.”
As for the two big names of the sport, Cairoli found the going tough in Italy last weekend, but was happy to get a home victory.
“I am always happy, for sure to win in Italy. I struggled with the track a little bit, it’s hard to come back after a bad start, so on Sunday I knew I needed two good starts and that worked out, twice I got the holeshot and I won the two motos and the Grand prix. The organizers did a good job with the track, and it helps a lot, because when we rode here for the Italian championship it was hard to pass. A lot of people came here and that is amazing for the riders.”
Herlings left no doubt that his hard pack skills are also impressive as he came back from two bad starts to go 1-1 and keep his perfect season intact.
“I am really making a mess with the starts this year; I don’t know what it is. I had a bad jump in the first moto, but I knew my speed was good and I got the lead with five or six minutes to go. Second moto I was counting down the second, but I hit the gate and was last, but I got to first place rather quickly and I am happy that my team-mate also made the podium. I am super pumped with my victory. People say I am a sand guy, but I like tracks when it’s hard like in Italy. It wasn’t easy to pass, but it was okay and I enjoyed it.”
All three KTM riders will now look at extending their Championship leads, for Cairoli and Herlings it’s onto Bulgaria, and for Jonass it is the Portuguese round where he will get the chance to add to his 50 points from last weekend.