The Norwegian shot out of the start from gate twelve in the Qualifying race to exit turn one fourth and immediately made a decisive move on the exit from turn three to take over third position and join the two series-leaders in a three-rider breakaway at the head of the pack. The only riders to drop their lap times below 1-46, the trio eventually outdistanced their chasers by six seconds with the Kawasaki rider thus earning third-choice of start-gate for both points-scoring motos tomorrow.
 
Kevin Horgmo: “ I only had twelfth choice of gate for Qualifying, but the times were really close so I was confident going into the race. I got a good start in fourth, passed quickly to third and could stay there comfortably. Now I’m looking forward to another good Grand Prix tomorrow. “
 
Big Van World MTX Kawasaki’s Mikkel Haarup had been fastest in practice by more than a second but the Dane found himself closed down out of the gate to emerge sixth from the sweeping first turn. Overtaking has always proven difficult on the flowing raceway and, despite clearly having the speed to advance further, he was defied time-and-again by the rider ahead until he eventually moved forward one position at half-distance to earn fifth-choice of gate for each of tomorrow’s GP motos.
 
Mikkel Haarup: “We had a good pace already in Free Practice and I rode a couple of really great laps in Timed Practice, more than a second faster than the rest. The only thing which was disappointed today was my start in Qualifying but we’re working on that this evening; I just didn’t get off the start and was caught behind other riders in the race. The layout and the flow of the track is great; I really enjoy riding it but it’s a bit narrow in places so we need good starts tomorrow. “
 
Ben Watson of Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP qualified thirteenth in the MXGP class.

In the EMX250 both Quentin Prugnières and Eddie Wade were involved in a pile up at the start; back on track far behind, they came back twelfth and thirteenth in the first race.