Herlings also wins in China

The world championship title has long been decided, but at the MXGP of China, the Honda rider picked up right where he left off. Herlings won both races in Shanghai, securing the Grand Prix title. Romain Febvre finished second, and Tom Vialle completed the podium in third.

Febvre, in particular, ensured that Herlings didn't simply put in a sluggish performance on Sunday. In the second moto, the Kawasaki rider closed the gap again towards the end. It wasn't enough for a full-scale attack, but Herlings had to work hard until the very end.

The Dutchman himself later spoke of a dominance that now reminded him somewhat of his years in 2018 or 2016. He had won every moto since Foxhills. And although various riders had recently been able to put pressure on him, none had yet found a way past him.

China has now secured another double victory.

Febvre puts Herlings under renewed pressure

The second run was not quite as clear-cut as the result suggests.

Herlings initially pulled ahead, but struggled with the unusually humid conditions in Shanghai. His goggles fogged up, and he tried to maintain clear vision for as long as possible using tear-offs. He didn't find the temperatures to be the biggest problem. Rather, it was the high humidity, which he was hardly familiar with in Europe.

Febvre seemed to cope better with the conditions. The Frenchman got off to a good start and was able to establish himself at the front from the beginning. He saw this as a key reason for his strong performance after the race.

From his perspective, neither his training nor his fundamental approach had changed. The difference was much simpler: someone coming out of the first corners in second or third place can keep up with the frontrunners. Someone starting in seventh, however, faces a completely different challenge.

In the second moto, Febvre actually closed the gap to Herlings again in the final laps. With two laps to go, the gap was small enough to at least consider a possible attack.

Then it almost became even more expensive.

On a small tabletop jump, Febvre got a kick during takeoff, went sideways, and landed over the front wheel. He caught the Kawasaki but then eased off the risk. The weekend had been practically flawless up to that point – and he clearly didn't want to throw that away with one last attack.

Herlings brought the victory home.

Febvre's second-place finish secured him second place in the MXGP World Championship. For the Kawasaki rider, this was initially the most important result of the weekend. Now, in Australia, he can focus on achieving another GP victory without this result weighing on his mind.

Vialle has to go to the hospital after the podium.

For Tom Vialle, Shanghai ended with his fourth consecutive podium finish, but also with a hospital visit.

The Honda rider had already crashed during the warm-up. According to his description, the crash itself wasn't particularly violent, but the consequences were unpleasant. Vialle bit his tongue and also suffered a deep wound below his head, specifically in the chin area, which required stitches after the race.

He still managed to get through the first moto reasonably well. The situation changed in the second moto.

After about 15 to 17 minutes, he increasingly lacked energy. Vialle had slept poorly in the days prior and could barely eat on race day due to his injured tongue. In the already damp conditions in Shanghai, he eventually ran out of steam.

The fact that he still managed to finish third overall continues his strong run.

Vialle himself is also noticing that he's getting along better with the Honda. His last few races have gone well not only on hardpack but also in the sand at Arnhem. Instead of just a few good motos, he's now consistently achieving consistent results over the entire weekend.

He therefore has one more goal for Australia: to beat Herlings.

He doesn't want to take any unnecessary risks at all costs. But if the feeling is right, he wants to give it his all in the final.

Herlings also wants to complete the last number.

For Herlings, the championship is no longer at stake. Nevertheless, he still has something planned for Australia.

Besides his 13th GP victory of the season, a small statistic is playing a role, one that has taken on a life of its own. His streak of winning sessions and races has steadily increased over the past few weeks. Herlings himself doesn't attach much sporting significance to it, but nevertheless wants to maintain it until the end of the season.

That fits with the run the six-time world champion is currently on.

Kay de Wolf was able to challenge him recently, Vialle put him under pressure, and in Shanghai Febvre trailed him until near the end of the second moto. Herlings still managed to win.

He knows, however, that this streak will end eventually. He's quite relaxed about the possibility of someone beating him again.

If it were up to him, please not in Australia yet.

Because there's still one Grand Prix to go. And after his next perfect weekend in Shanghai, Herlings apparently lacks little motivation to take part in the last one as well.