MX2 preview: Will Jorge Prado take his second title?
Jorge Prado defends the MX2 world title this season. The Spaniard is competing against a handful of good riders, but it is highly questionable whether there is anyone who can really make things difficult for the reigning champion!
We therefore expect a battle between Calvin Vlaanderen, Ben Watson and Thomas Kjer-Olsen for second place. That could also include Mitchell Evans. And what about Jago Geerts, Brent Van Doninck, Bas Vaessen and Davy Pootjes? This weekend the 'party' starts in Argentina and we are certainly looking ahead.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
With 'TKO' Jacky Martens has a rider who can go for the title. However, it will not be easy for the Dane. Prado is a great starter and try to get him back in your sights. Thomas Covington, who moved back to the US, was replaced by Jed Beaton. The Australian will miss the first match anyway. Last weekend Beaton crashed in France and suffered a back injury.
Can Davy Pootjes surprise?
In addition to the Belgian factory team, Husqvarna is fielding 21-year-old Davy Pootjes with Team Diga Procross. The Gelderlander has already had to deal with a lot of injuries in his young career. However, last year he relaunched himself after a solid season. After many years on KTM, Davy switched to Husqvarna and was placed with the German team that took on Iker Larranaga and Vandoninck last year after the closure of Ottobiano Racing. The British REVO Husqvarna Team makes its debut in the World Championship with Dylan Walsh and Alvin Ostlund. The latter rode Yamaha for years but was never able to live up to expectations.
Tom Vialle, not coincidentally KTM factory rider!
Officially, Tom Vialle is Jeffrey Herlings' teammate at the 'Austrian' part of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team. To the surprise of many, the Frenchman inherited the most coveted seat in the MX2 paddock. According to 'radio paddock', both option one, Calvin Vlaanderen, and option two (Brian Moreau) were excluded. Vialle, son of former GP rider Fred Vialle, already showed great things in the EMX250 last year. Tom continued that momentum during the spring competitions in Italy, England and France!
Watson and Geerts lead Yamaha offensively
KEMEA Racing-Yamaha will reduce from three to two riders this year. Jago Geerts and Ben Watson remain with the official Yamaha factory team. Both aim for the top three in the final standings, but many others share that ambition! Geerts won the Hawkstone Park International while his British colleague climbed to the top step last weekend in Lacapelle-Marival. Without a doubt, the Belgian team led by Marnicq Bervoets will reach the GP podium several times. Whether this will succeed in the final standings remains to be seen.
Yamaha SM ACTION – M.C. Migliori is using two drivers this year. Michele Cervellin joined from Honda midway through last year and showed his potential. Teammate Maxime Renaux switches from the EMX250 to the GPs.
Strong Honda block, Van Doninck as outsider
Honda's previous season was difficult. Hunter Lawrence was on the podium during the first GP, but after that it was disappointing for the Australian. Flanders recorded its first GP victory and ultimately finished sixth. Flanders remains with Honda, and he wants to get the most out of it in his last MX2 season. At 114 Motorsports we see two new drivers, the aforementioned Mitchell Evans and Zach Pichon. Australian Evans takes the position of fellow countryman Lawrence in the French team. Pichon is the son of two-time quarter-litre world champion Mickael. After a short private adventure on KTM, he switched to Honda. The third Honda team in this class is Honda Redmoto AssoMotor. The Italians field Brent Van Doninck and EMX250 champion Mathys Boisrame. Injury-free, Van Doninck already proved his speed in MX2, although he often lacked regularity. This is also Brent's last year in MX2. From now on, Alfredo Bevilacqua's team will focus on the CR250F and will also be active in the EMX250.
Kawasaki: plenty of experience!
No official Kawasaki team this year either, but with F&H Racing Team that status is coming very close! The Moordrecht team wants to score high with Adam Sterry and Henry Jacobi. The F&H duo, trained by Marc De Reuver, should be able to reach the podium regularly. For both riders, this is their last season in the MX2 class. The British Dixon Racing would focus all their efforts on Darian Saneyei. Ultimately, the fast American still gets a teammate. It is difficult to gauge the Brazilian Gustavo Pessoa starting his first full season. Sanayei, trained by Joël Roelants, has the speed of the top 5 but is coming back from a serious knee injury. Just like his F&H colleagues, Sanayei is starting his last World Championship year in the 250.
The third 'green' team is BUD Racing. Brian Hsu has had another bad year with injuries, but he gets a second chance. After just one season in the EMX250, Brian Moreau is already making his full-time World Championship debut! The 125 EMX2017 champion could well become the sensation of the season!
Debutants and lowlanders
Due to the age limit of 23, many debutants make an appearance, as always. The main newcomers are Vialle, Moreau and Evans. We also see New Zealander Dylan Walsh, number six in the last 250cc European Championship, competing in the World Championship.
This year the Belgian contribution will be limited to Geerts and Van Doninck. The Netherlands is better represented with six permanent MX2 riders. Flanders, Pootjes and the Limburger Bas Vaessen also drive overseas. During the European competitions, Marcel Conijn, Lars Greekpoor and Freek van der Vlist will be added!
Tekst: Steven Van Kempen
Photos: Pascal Haudiquert, shotbyBavo, Assomotor
Also to read
Gallery: MXGP Portugal 2024 XXL from NiekFotografie
The riders and mechanics had a hard time in Agueda. This also applies to the photographers because the weather conditions were harsh! Yet our #NiekFotografie made this XXL gallery...Jorge Prado in Simon Laengenfelder over Agueda
The Grand Prix of Portugal will be remembered for a long time and may be one for the history books. The heavy rain that descended on Agueda made this 2024 edition a rush…Danee Gelissen on stage in Italy
During the second match of the Italian Women's Championship, Danee Gelissen was allowed to climb onto the podium. The Limburg rider finished second behind Kiara Fontanesi in both heats in Lovolo. The Ceres71 driver starts…VIDEO: Highlights MXGP Portugal 2024
After a two-week break, the FIM MXGP-MX2 World Championship continued in Portugal. The normally sunny south was treated to lots of water this weekend! Liam Everts made very…
Your reactions