The contrasting fortunes of Red Bull KTM team-mates Jeffrey Herlings and Tony Cairoli were never more evident than in Teutschenthal on Sunday.

While the 23-year-old Dutchman was tearing to two race wins and extending his series lead to 48 points, the Italian spent both motos stuck behind Clement Desalle (Monster Energy Kawasaki) to end the day with a six-five scorecard.

Towards the end of the second race the defending champion even appeared to back it off and let the Belgian go and his frustration was obvious.

“Today was a very strange race,” he said. “Normally it develops a bit during the moto but it seemed like if you crossed the finish line at the end of the first lap in the top five then you stayed there.

“Jeffrey had two good starts and he was free to make a good speed and rhythm. When you are in the pack it is like a war – on this track everyone was cutting lines and ruts and trying to pass and there were crashes.

“When it settled I was both times behind Desalle and he is one of the toughest to pass and the roost was very painful. I came close a few times but in the end just limited the damage. I don't know what really happened with the starts. We need to check.”

Herlings, on the other hand, was in high spirits – hardly surprising given he’s now won six from eight MXGP overalls and 12 from 16 motos.

“Good starts again and my riding was really good both motos,” he said. “I cannot ask for more than leading every single lap this weekend. I’m really pleased and it’s a bit of a dream weekend.

“This track is not one of my favourites – even if I don't really mind most of the circuits – but they prepped it better than yesterday and there were some more lines and it was a bit rougher. On to the next one.”