Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/322929
IN THE WIND P24 DESALLE, HERLINGS PERFECT IN FRANCE B oth Rockstar Energy Su- zuki's Clement Desalle and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Jeffrey Herlings came out on top in their re- spective classes on the hard pack of Saint Jean d'Angely in France on Sunday in the French Grand Prix. For Desalle his third MXGP win of the season came as the result of an error made by the series points leader Antonio Cairoli - not once but twice. The Red Bull KTM man crashed twice with two- laps to go, settling for sec- ond in moto one and third in moto two. Rounding out the podium was the man who held off Cairoli in the second moto, Yamaha's Factory Rac- ing's Jeremy Van Horebeek. In the MX2 class, Herlings continued to dominate and scored his eighth win of the year. With the exception of Brazil - when he sat out to rest his injured shoulder – the reigning champ has won every race this year. That has him 55 points ahead of his nearest competitor in the championship - CLS Kawa- saki Monster Energy's Arn- aud Tonus. Tonus did everything to try and take his second win of the season, but had to settle for a pair of seconds and second overall. Herlings' teammate Jordi Tixier, who finished fourth in moto one and third in moto two in front of his home crowd, ended up third overall. Clement Desalle scored his third overall MXGP win of the season with this one coming in France. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUZUKI RACING BIG BRAKES, MIXED FEELINGS T here were mixed feelings about the new big brakes allowed for the first time in the MotoGP World Championship round at Mugello – the diameter up from 320 to 340mm, after some riders have had braking problems at other circuits. While some welcomed the move on safety grounds, the fac- tory Honda riders were not so sure – while pit mechanics faced not only a more difficult task in changing wheels, but raised their own safety concerns as a result. According to Jorge Lorenzo: "When I first tried them [at Mote- gi] immediately it felt better, and improvement every time. I think it is better for everyone, especially Yamaha, because our braking performance is not so good." Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso said: "I tried them last year at Mo- tegi. The feeling is a bit strange, but the power is a lot more, and everyone is less on the limit." His teammate Cal Crutchlow, who retired with brake problems at Jerez, was also a fan. But prior to the weekend both Honda riders were dubious about even using them. "We will see if we need them," said Marc Marquez. Dani Pedrosa was more volu- ble. "From the past, I never strug- gled with brakes, and at the