The Frenchman had posted second-fastest time during Timed Practice but faced a long hard ride in the Qualifying race after a ragged start as he slewed sideways coming out of the gate to be seventeenth the first time past the timing box. Within two laps he had advanced into the top-ten and made yet more majestic strides to take over fourth on lap eleven before a fall in the late afternoon shadows cost three positions. A renewed charge brough him back to fifth, in the wheel tracks of the rider in fourth. Teams and riders now face a free day as the main GP program in Switzerland traditionally takes place on Easter Monday.
 
Romain Febvre: "I spun at the gate and I was completely last, but I rode well and had some good lines so I could make passes almost every lap to come back to fourth. But then I had a crash; it was only small but it could have been big at that place so I am lucky that I am not hurt. I came back and was close to fourth again at the finish. The gate-pick is OK for the starts on Monday but what I need are the points every race."
 
Team Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki's Francisco Garcia moved to within four points of the series lead in the European EMX250 Motocross Championship with a fighting third place in the opening race of the weekend. The Spaniard took a top-five start and worked his way forward to third on lap seven of sixteen. He was closing on the leaders until a slip four laps from the close lost him contact but could not prevent him taking the twenty championship points which see him go into Monday's second race with a realistic chance of taking over the championship points lead. Bud teammate Jake Cannon ride a solid race to seventh from a top-ten start.