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Queenslander Nathan Crawford has described last weekend’s MXGP of the Netherlands at Valkenswaard as the worst conditions he’s ever raced in his career.

The MX2 World Championship rookie battled his way through the rain-soaked deep sand, mustering up a 17-11 scorecard for 12th overall.

The Team Honda 114 Motorsports rider is thankful to make it through the weekend unscathed after suffering multiple heavy crashes, the tough circuit claiming a number of riders over the two days.

“It was a tough weekend again,” Crawford admitted. “The weather isn’t playing into our favour at the moment and the track was super-gnarly. These were definitely the worst conditions I’ve ever ridden and it’s obviously a big adjustment for me.

“At least I go away from the weekend healthy and with no injuries. I had a couple of big crashes this weekend so I was pretty happy to walk away from them. Every time I ride my CRF250R I’m learning new things about bike setup and I definitely know where I belong in the race results so I’ll keep working and try again.”

The next MXGP round is scheduled for 19 April in Spain after the Argentinian stop was postponed.

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Jeffrey Herlings says the weekend’s Dutch MXGP was one of the most difficult wins of his career at the Valkenswaard venue after being challenged by reigning world champion Tim Gajser (Team HRC) all weekend.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing contender, who’s been notoriously dominant in the sand especially in his home country, mustered up a 2-1 scorecard to be credited the overall on countback, benefiting from an error by Gajser in the final outing to stand atop the podium.

“This was one of the most difficult Valkenswaard wins,” Herlings declared. “Tim did a great job but it was important for us to think about the overall than the 1-1 and to not lose points.

“This was a good GP for us. Going to Argentina I hope we can find some good weather – it has been two in a row now with rain! We’ll try to make the best of the situation there and go again for a podium spot.”

Herlings holds a nine-point advantage over Gajser as the MXGP World Championship heads to Argentina on 22 March.

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Western Australian TJ O’Hare stormed to a top 10 moto result at Valkenswaard’s second round of the 2020 Women’s Motocross World Championship last weekend, marking a career-best performance so far on the world stage.

Following a 12th overall placing at Matterley Basin’s season-opener a week ago, the KTM Diga Junior Racing rider strengthened her championship ranking by racing to a 15-8 scorecard for 11th overall at the Dutch venue.

The result moves O’Hare to 10th in the series standings, which is currently led by reigning champion and New Zealander Courtney Duncan (Kawasaki).

“I was a bit too stressed on Saturday I think,” O’Hare stated. “Halfway through the race I calmed myself down because I made some many mistakes but things improved from there. After they flattened the track it was much easier to keep the speed today.

“I’m pumped about that eighth place in the second race moto, my best world championship result ever. For the moment I’m quite pleased with my speed I just need to build more consistency into my riding to eliminate the mistakes. If I can achieve that, even the top six would be within reach.”

Compatriot Hannah Bagnall (Honda) contested her second-ever round in the WMX class at the weekend, winding 38th overall.

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The MXGP of Trentino in Italy has been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, while the situation for all others rounds is being monitored daily.

The Trentino round was initially scheduled for 4-5 April, however it will now be staged on 18-19 July. It comes after the Italian government has forbidden the organisation of public events in Italy until 3 April.

The aim of Infront Moto Racing, promoter of the MXGP World Championship, and the FIM is to make the series run with all the events programmed. The rest of the MXGP calendar up to now stays unchanged while the development of the situation in every country is being followed in a daily basis monitoring.

In agreement with the organisers of other MXGP rounds and local authorities, Infront Moto Racing is prepared to postpone other events if that becomes necessary.