The Frenchman lost drive out of the gate in the Qualifying race but held a tight line through turn one and found good lines in traffic to advance quickly to fourth. But he then experienced a frustrating race as a single racing line had developed early. He eventually lined up a pass for third on lap seven of thirteen to close down the leaders but ran out of time to mount a serious challenge in the twenty-minute-plus-two-lap sprint.
 
Romain Febvre: "I didn't get a good start and that is the key here. I was able to make some good moves through the first few turns but it was almost impossible to pass after that unless the rider in front makes a mistake. The speed is there; when I finally passed for third I could catch Herlings but it was too late."
 
After setting fastest time in Free Practice KRT teammate Pauls Jonass was eased down to eith in a tight Timed Practice; the Latvian established himself in seventh after the first few corners of the Qualifying race and stayed there for more than half the race before muscling his way forward to his eventual sixth.
 
Pauls Jonass: "Generally I enjoy riding here and I felt comfortable already in Free Practice with P1, but then I tried to push too much in Timed Practice. After the concussion and the illness I'm still missing some aggression in the first few laps when everyone is around me but I could make some good moves at the end."
 
Kawasaki Racing Team MX2's Mathis Valin raced to his best FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship Qualifying result since the opening round of the series with a fifth-placed finish. The French teenager emerged from turn one sixth and advanced to fourth with a neat pass halfway round the opening lap. Settling quickly into the strong leaderboard pace he battled the series points-leader for almost the entire race before a momentary loss of drive on an uphill jump saw him surrender fourth three laps from the finish.
 
Mathis Valin: "That was quite a good race. I had a good first few corners and coud follow Adamo; I was faster but couldn't pass. It's the first time I have raced up front since my injury and I tightened up a little at the end but it was good to experience the intensity; now we need to stay focused for tomorrow and continue to go forward."