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CAIROLI CLINCHES NINTH GP TITLE R ed Bull KTM's Antonio Cairoli clinched his ninth grand prix motocross title after finishing fourth overall at the MXGP of the Netherlands in Assen, Septem- ber 10. Cairoli had all but locked up the MXGP title going into the race and all he needed to do was pretty much just finish either moto; he officially clinched the title after finishing second to Red Bull KTM teammate Jeffrey Herlings in the first moto. "We didn't start as a favorite for sure this year," Cairoli said. "I know what I work for and I know what it takes to have a solid and consistent championship so we made it and I am really happy about this," Cairoli said. "It was an amazing season, I think one of my best, it is amazing that I can still improve after 14, now 15 years in the world champion- ship, I really am proud of this. I just want to enjoy this title, we had a very good weekend espe- cially today, but I'm really happy because the championship is the most important thing for me. To take it here in Holland with all the fans was very nice, the track was amazing even with the rain it still worked out and it was very technical. The organizers did a really good job so nothing could be better." Cairoli tipped over late in the second moto, losing a few posi- tions. His 2-6 gave him fourth overall on the day. There is one more round left on the calendar. Sand master Herlings, racing in front of the home crowd, was the clear favorite to win the GP and he did not disappoint after topping both motos, though Cairoli made him work for it in the first moto. Second on the day was Yamaha's Romain Febvre who went 4-3. The race for the MX2 is still going between KTM's Pauls Jonass and Suzuki rider Jeremy Seewer. Even though Jonass' Red Bull KTM teammate Jorge Prado took the overall win, Jonass is comfortably sitting in the driver's seat with one race left. Jonass went 1-7 for second overall, while Seewer went 5-2 for third overall and now has a comfortable 41-point lead with two motos left. American Thomas Coving- ton (Husqvarna) was seventh overall with a 3-13 and sits fifth in points. CN MXGP 1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 1-1 2. Romain Febvre (Yam) 4-3 3. Max Anstie (Hus) 3-4 4. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 2-6 5. Max Nagl (Hus) 10-2 MX2 1. Jorge Prado Garcia (KTM) 2-1 2. Pauls Jonass (KTM) 1-7 3. Jeremy Seewer (Suz) 5-2 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (KTM) 4-4 5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Hus) 8-3 IN THE WIND P48 Antonio Cairoli clinched the 2017 MXGP World Championship in the Dutch sand. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KTM IMAGES/RAY ARCHER