Third podium in a row for Jago Geerts!
The Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Team had a wonderful day in Kegums, Latvia. Jago Geerts stepped onto the podium for the third time in a row, after his second place (2+2) in the ninth round of the FIM World Championship. Ben Watson equaled his best result of the season with fourth place (4+4).
The qualifying race on Saturday did not go according to plan for Geerts. The Belgian, who likes to ride on the sandy and technical track, was unable to avoid a fallen rider just in front of him and also crashed in the first corner. The teenager had to fight back from the very last position and managed to finish eleventh. Watson got off to a good start (around fifth place) and quickly moved up to third place after overtaking Vialle and Boisrame. The Briton then secured third place and a good starting position for Sunday.
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With Watson in fifth and Geerts in seventh position, both Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha riders shot well out of the starting gate in the first series. Ben quickly moved up to third place, followed closely by Jago. The Belgian jumped over his teammate in the fourth lap and started his hunt for Kjer Olsen. The teenager moved closer to the Dane and made his move four laps from the end, finishing second behind Prado. Watson, meanwhile, withstood many attacks from Jacobi and finished fourth.
The second series was almost a copy of the first. Watson again made a more than solid start and again finished fourth after a nice passing maneuver on Sterry. In the meantime, Geerts showed his exceptional talent in the sand by advancing from eleventh to second place. And again he finished the job with a wonderful overtake on Kjer Olsen.
Geerts consolidated his third place in the World Cup and already has 50 points more than number four Jacobi. Watson also did a very good job in the World Cup standings: he jumped from seven to five, just five points behind the German.
#193 Jago Geerts
“That crash in the qualifying race on Saturday definitely ruined things. As a result, I was only able to get to the starting gate in eleventh place. Not really fair, because from that position it was not possible to get a good start. My starts were still okay, although I had to work hard in both heats to get to second place. Of course I sometimes dream of a GP victory, but it is certainly not an obsession. My time will come sooner or later. Until then, I want to continue my series of podium finishes.”
#919 Ben Watson
“Finally two good starts. That immediately makes the work a lot easier. I am therefore quite satisfied with this result. My speed was not yet the same as that of the top riders, but it was already better than the guys behind me. As a result, I had to drive my own race in both series. I'm slowly starting to become my old self again. This is a solid result. A result that I can now continue to build on. And also important: I am making a nice leap forward in the World Cup standings.”
Marnicq Bervoets
“I am proud of both drivers. Geerts once again showed his talent in both series. He was fast, smart and aggressive at the same time. Of course we would also like to win. But that is not easy with Prado as an opponent, but certainly not impossible either. We will still get our chance. We certainly shouldn't rush now. I'm also very happy for Watson. He has had a difficult period, but is now close to his best form again. His confidence has been boosted after the French GP. I expect him on the podium soon.”
Posted: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photo: Yamaha
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