Yamaha is ready for battle!
The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team is all set for the opening race of the FIM MX2 World Championship this weekend in Matterley Basin. The team, based in Belgium, will field the same drivers as in 2019: Jago Geerts and Ben Watson, both of whom are aiming for a place in the top three or even more.
Ben Watson & Jago Geerts.
For the first time since 2014, Yamaha Motor Europe will field a full factory team in the FIM MX2 World Championship. That is also why the Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2 Team was renamed Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team. As far as the drivers are concerned, nothing has changed. Jago Geerts and Ben Watson will pilot the YZ250FM for the third year in a row.
Title favorite
Jago Geerts finished third in MX2 last season. The talented teenager starts this year as one of the title favorites. The 19-year-old Balenaar can look back on a good preparation, including a win in Riola Sardo and solid races in Hawkstone Park and Lacapelle-Marival.
Ben Watson, who turns 23 in June, is starting his last season in MX2 due to age regulations. The Briton suffered a small setback in preparation and missed a few races due to a broken hand. The test that Watson took at the beginning of the week was not too bad, which is why he decided to just start in front of his own people in Matterley Basin this weekend.
At a crossroads
“2020 will be our first season as a full-fledged factory team,” says team owner Hans Corvers. “Quite an honor. And also a nice reward for all the hard work of recent years. This is another step in the right direction. In 2016 we finished third with Paturel, fifth in 2017 with Paturel again, fourth in 2018 with Watson and third last year with Geerts. We always achieved our target. Now we are at a crossroads, because we want more. At least another podium. But honestly, we're going for the highest step. We must dare to show ambition. Both Jago and Ben have the potential to fight for the world title.”
#193 Jago Geerts
“I have had a good winter, with plenty of hours on the bike and some good preparatory races. So I'm ready for the start of the World Cup. 2019 was a very good year, with third place in only my second season in MX2. But now I want to do even better. Not an easy job. Prado may have switched to MXGP, but there are still a lot of riders left who can win. It will be very important to be regular and injury free throughout the season. It is nice to start the World Championships in Matterley Basin, on a track with many beautiful jumps. Unfortunately the weather is not so good, so a mud race might await us. In that case the starts will be very important.”
#919 Ben Watson
“There is no better place than Matterley Basin to kick off the world championship. For our own people and on one of the most natural courses on the calendar. Despite the bad weather forecast, I am really looking forward to this match. I had some bad luck a few weeks ago. I suffered a broken hand which forced me to cancel some preparation races. Not ideal, but I still go to Matterley Basin with a positive feeling. My ambitions this year? Honestly… I prefer to keep my goals to myself. I just want to be very regular and have a lot of fun on my motorcycle. Like in 2018. Certainly not like last season, when I put way too much pressure on myself.”
Posted: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photo: #ShotbyBavo
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