PR: Jago Geerts shows his unadulterated class!
Almost spring, but temperatures below freezing, a biting wind and even snow. No, the second round of the world championship did not take place at the North Pole, but in Valkenswaard. The riders had to brave the freezing cold and a tough and treacherous track.
Jago Geerts, the youngest rider of the Kemea Yamaha Team, felt good about these conditions. The former world and European youth champion was eager to show his talent on the Eurocircuit. In the first series he finished fourth after a nice duel with top rider Thomas Kjer Olsen. Unfortunately, his chances for a nice place of honor were ruined at the start of the second series. Geerts was tapped by another rider at the start, crashed and had to fight back from 34th position. And did he fight back! He briefly gained 21 places and finished thirteenth in the second series. Good for seventh place in the GP final standings. His best result so far.
Ben Watson rode a solid Grand Prix, considering his poor starts all weekend long. In the first series, the Briton came back from 29th to tenth place. In the second series he had a slightly better start (14th), after which he was able to move up to seventh place. Good for eighth place in the final standings.
Vsevolod Brylyakov, like Watson, had a difficult weekend at the circuit where he suffered a serious shoulder injury last year. The Russian also struggled a bit with his starts, but was still able to make up a few places in both series and finished eleventh in the final standings (12+12).
The Kemea Yamaha riders do not have much time to recover from this icy and tough race. Next weekend they will travel to Redsand in Spain for the third Grand Prix of the season. Hopefully one with a little sun...
#193 Jago Geerts – Seventh in GP
“I felt very good… But that crash at the start of the second moto ruined a lot. I was tapped by someone and fell flat. I had to start a catch-up race from the very last position. Round by round I moved up some spots. From 34 to 13: not that bad, I think. Although I am still left with the question: what if I had not fallen? Especially after my impressive first series (fourth place). Unfortunately I couldn't repeat that. But I can't complain. The riding went well and I don't want to look at the naked results. 2018 is and will remain a learning year for me.”
#919 Ben Watson – Eighth in GP
“It was a difficult Grand Prix for me. I struggled with my starts all weekend, so I didn't make it easy for myself. I had to return from the background to the front every time. Not easy with that cold and on that tough track. I had to work hard in both series. The driving itself went quite well. I also finished in the top 10 twice, good for eighth place in the final standings. That is the positive news of the weekend.”
#18 Vsevolod Brylyakov – Eleventh in GP
“A tough race, a tough weekend. Freezing cold, snow, an unforgiving track: these are conditions that are probably the worst for my shoulder. What struck me: in each session I only really came under steam at the end. In general, this was a disappointing GP for me. Although there were also some positive points: I went home safe and sound and I still picked up quite a few World Cup points. All I have to do now is keep working hard.”
Marnicq Bervoets – Team Manager
“It was a pleasure to see Geerts ride this weekend. So smart, so calm. Jago continues to amaze me, week after week. He started strongly in Argentina and is confirming this here in Valkenswaard. Punishment. It's just a pity that he was dragged into that trap at the start of the second series. Otherwise he would have finished in the top five. Watson delivered a solid performance. With better starts, he's certainly capable of competing with guys like Olsen. Brylyakov had a tough weekend. But he took his World Cup points and leaves Valkenswaard unscathed. He will still improve, but we have to give him some time after his long absence with that shoulder injury.”
Next race: March 25, GP3 – Redsand (Spa)
Results MX2 Grand Prix of Europe (Valkenswaard)
First series MX2
1. Paul Jonas (Let/KTM)
2. Jorge Prado (Spa/KTM) +0:09.342
3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) +0:16.508
4. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) +0:22.579
5. Conrad Mewse (GBr/KTM) +0:25.932
10. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) +1:00.167
12. VSEVOLOD BRYLYAKOV (Rus/Yam) +1:07.493
Second series MX2
1. Paul Jonas (Let/KTM)
2. Jorge Prado (Spa/KTM) +0:00.381
3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) +0:37.477
4. Conrad Mewse (GBr/KTM) +0:39.263
5. Thomas Covington (VSt/Hus) +0:46.360
7. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) +0:51.600
12. VSEVOLOD BRYLYAKOV (Rus/Yam) +1:19.818
13. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) + 1:36.765
Final score MX2
1. Paul Jonas (Let/KTM) 50
2. Jorge Prado (Spa/KTM) 44
3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/House) 40
4. Conrad Mewse (GBr/KTM) 34
5. Thomas Covington (VSt/Hus) 30
7. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) 26
8. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) 25
11. VSEVOLOD BRYLYAKOV (Rus/Yam) 18
World Championship standings MX2
1. Paul Jonas (Let/KTM) 100
2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/House) 82
3. Hunter Lawrence (Aus/Hon) 67
4. Jorge Prado (Spa/KTM) 63
5. BEN WATSON Watson (GBr/Yam) 61
7. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) 46
10. VSEVOLOD BRYLYAKOV (Rus/Yam) 42
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