Former world champ Tim Gajser proved last week’s troubled showing at the Dutch GP are behind him as he took the win from Romain Febvre and Gautier Paulin in the MXGP qualifying race at RedSands. World champ Tony Cairoli was fourth, pulling through from a ninth-place start, right alongside red plate holder Jeffrey Herlings. Straigh away Herlings and Cairoli battled hard as they tried to make an impression on the leaders.

Gajser, who stole the holeshot from Febvre, Paulin and Jeremy Seewer, led as fast-starting Max Anstie ran wide and lost a few places. Febvre got close to Gasjer several times, including the last lap, but the Slovenian wasn’t for being pushed around and held on to the lead to take the win. Paulin, who had a huge scare when he almost crashed over a jump, lost the tow from the leaders and took third.

He was chased over the line by Cairoli who out-smarted Dutchman Herlings on the last lap to take fourth. Right behind Herlings was Seewer and Anstie as Shaun Simpson took 12th and Graeme Irwin 18th.

In the MX2 class, Pauls Jonass took the win from his team-mate and rival Jorge Prado with Darien Sanayei third. Ben Watson had a great ride to sixth with Adam Sterry eighth and Conrad Mewse 15th.

Prado again took the holeshot from Kawasaki man Sterry, Jonass, Sanyei, Thomas Covington and Watson.

Watson soon got by Covington up to seventh place as Jonass passed Sterry for second.

Jonass soon caught his rival Prado and made the move, then controlling the race from the front as Sterry held bravely on to third, right behind them.

But the pace was too much for the former British champion, and he dropped back as many of the top riders picked him off.

The final lap saw Sanayei push hard to take Prado, but couldn’t make it as the top three crossed the line line astern.