Bittersweet weekend for Kemea Yamaha in Imola!
Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha rider Jago Geerts finished fourth in round 15 of the FIM MX2 World Championship, at the iconic Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola. Nice extra: the Belgian regained third place in the World Cup. Ben Watson unfortunately had to sit out for this Grand Prix after breaking his arm in the warm-up on Sunday morning.
Ben Watson has been dogged by bad luck lately. The Briton, who made his comeback two weeks ago after a hand injury, crashed in the warm-up on Sunday morning and broke his left arm. A very bad moment, as Ben had just been selected for the British team in the Motocross of Nations in Assen (29 September).
First holeshot
Due to Watson's injury, Jago Geerts was the only Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha rider to start in the first series. The Belgian took a bad start and only entered the first corner in 18th place. The teenager was very aggressive in the initial phase and was already in seventh position after two laps. Geerts used up a lot of energy during that catch-up race, but continued to chase his rivals. Larranaga, Sanayei and Boisrame were his next victims. Geerts also tried to close the gap on Renaux, who was in third position, but was not close enough.
Geerts made a sublime start on his YZ250F - his first holeshot in MX2! - in the second heat, but soon saw Prado take the lead. Jago made a mistake on the third lap, dropping to seventh place. The Balenaar fought back again, tackled Jacobi and Sterry, but was then stuck behind Renaux again. Iago placed several attacks on the Frenchman, but without success. He had to be satisfied with fifth place in the second series and fourth in the Grand Prix.
#193 Jago Geerts (4th in final ranking)
“On the one hand, I'm a little disappointed because I just missed the podium. On the other hand, I am satisfied that I was able to regain third place in the World Cup. Without that small mistake in the second heat – I got my front wheel on the wrong track – I would probably have been on the podium. Afterwards I tried everything to pass Renaux, but the track was very treacherous and I didn't want to take too many risks. I rode two solid series and am third again in the World Championship. My goal now is to hold that spot until the end. Not an easy task, because things can change quickly, as you have seen in the last races.”
Marnicq Bervoets (Team Manager)
“I really feel for Watson. Ben really doesn't have luck on his side this year. What should he do now? Forget 2019 as quickly as possible and focus on 2020. New season, new opportunities. Geerts rode two solid series today. He showed a lot of perseverance after his bad start in the first series. It's a shame about that one mistake in the second heat, otherwise he would certainly have been on the podium. Jago was not the only rider who had difficulty with this track. I've seen a lot of guys make mistakes. Jago is again third in the World Cup. That is the most important. That gives a boost. Now we have to try to hold on to that place.”
RESULTS
First series
1. Jorge Prado (Spa/KTM)
2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) +0:08.238
3. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam) +0:20.216
4. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) +0:26.794
5. Mathys Boisramé (Fra/Hon) +0:40.810
BEN WATSON DNS
Second series
1. Jorge Prado (Spa/KTM)
2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) +0:05.383
3. Calvin Vlaanderen (Ned/Hon) +0:09.582
4. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam) +0:11.834
5. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) +0:15.620
BEN WATSON DNS
GP final standings
1. Jorge Prado (Spa/KTM) 50
2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/House) 44
3. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam) 38
4. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) 34
5. Calvin Flanders (Ned/Hon) 33
World Championship standings (15 of the 18 heats held)
1. Jorge Prado (Spa/KTM) 694
2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/House) 564
3. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) 447
4. Henry Jacbo (Ger/Kaw) 422
5. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) 416
8. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) 282
Next race: August 25, GP16 Uddevalla (Swe)
Text: Press release KEMEA Yamaha Racing team – Photos: Gino Maes
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