Vlaanderen and the Honda CRF250RW atop the podium in Indonesia

Calvin Vlaanderen has written an exciting page in the history of Honda in the Motocross World Championship by winning the MX2 class of the MXGP of Indonesia, while giving himself and the all-new Honda CRF250RW their first success in the series. This incredible achievement – the first overall victory for the brand in the category since Assen 2015 – was a result of a superb performance by the South African rider in race two, where he dominated from start to finish.

Calvin had a rocket jump out of the gate and was second as the MX2 field attacked the first corner of the race. The young South African pushed hard for almost the entirety of the encounter but was caught by reigning Champion Paul Jonass, who passed him four laps from the end of the moto. Vlaanderen managed to find his pace again to secure third position at the flag.

But Vlaanderen’s start to the second moto was even better, as he stormed past the rest of the field to take his first-ever FOX holeshot. Calvin showed a fantastic pace early on as he set the fastest lap of the moto on lap three to extend his lead over Jonass and Prado. As the race progressed, he rode with a consistently-quick rhythm to secure his maiden win in the series.

Courtesy of this victory – the first for a South African rider since 2008’s Benelux GP win by Tyla Rattray – Vlaanderen makes some more ground to the top of the standings in terms of points ahead of the second Indonesian GP of the season, which takes place next weekend (7-8 July) at the new Samarang track.