Olsen and Watson not worried about MX2 age limit
It is not yet 100% clear how the MXGP season will proceed. Yet MX2 riders Thomas-Kjer Olsen and Ben Watson are not worried about what will happen next. Due to the age limit of 23 years, Watson and TKO will have to switch to the premier class in 2021.
With 2020 being their crucial final year in MX2, Thomas Kjer Olsen (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Ben Watson (Monster Energy Yamaha) could rightly have a hard time with the turn of events. Moreover, there is currently no sign from the FIM or promoter Infront Moto Racing that the age limit would be (temporarily) increased.
Both factory riders are looking ahead. “To be honest, I've been thinking about it and I've had a lot of fun on the 250, but I've also been on that bike for a long time. I feel I am more than ready for the MXGP,” said Olsen.
Finally to the MXGP
“I would like to go to MXGP, even if they change their mind and say that the 'final year' MX2 riders can stay for another year,” says Watson, “although no one – the teams or the riders – knows what is really going on at the moment the hand is. I'm looking forward to my switch to the 450 and my focus is on finding a good bike.
Both 23-year-old riders are key players in MX2”. Ex-EMX250 champion Olsen finished in the top three in all three World Championship seasons. This makes the Dane on paper the most sought-after of the 2021 MXGP rookie class. Watson lost two World Cup campaigns due to injuries, but is regularly in the top five and took his first podium in 2018. Both are also over 1m 80 and are therefore large for the smallest GP class. Especially compared to more compact competitors such as Red Bull KTM's Tom Vialle, the MX2 World Championship leader.
“I've been on the 250 since I was fifteen because I was already quite big then. That's why I'm really looking forward to the 450 now,” says Olsen, perhaps the favorite for the 2020 MX2 title now that he has fully recovered from a preseason wrist fracture. Despite that injury, TKO managed to limit the damage well. For the time being, after just 2 GPs, he is 7thde in the World Cup standings. “I want to get the most out of this season and I am working for that every day, but I would like to move to a new class and try new things in my career.”
2020 will go down in history as the 'Corona Championship', but apart from the shortened calendar, the aftermath will mainly be felt in 2021. Normally, both Olsen and Watson should be high on the 'shortlist' of manufacturers and teams. However, it is now unclear how this will work.
Which team in 2021?
“I don't think teams are rushing to sign drivers. Moreover, they themselves do not have a clear view of what 2021 will look like,” Watson explains. “If drivers sign now, it is purely based on the potential they have shown in the past. The two GPs we had this year don't mean much: one was stopped on Saturday due to rain and the other was a mud race. No one has a clear picture. I think a lot of things will only fall into place very late for 2021.”
“If I have to go to the 450 without much support, then I just have to prove myself and earn a better place,” he adds. “It's hard, but I want to go to the 450 and I'm sure riders like Thomas will too.”
“I still believe we will get some races this year. We will still have an MX2 championship,” Olsen emphasizes. “Of course there is a chance that we don't do that… but things are already changing and there is talk of matches taking place again.” While both pilots are content to see their time in the MX2 come to an end, they are also aware that there may be few factory seats available. For Olsen, a move to Rockstar Energy IceOne would make sense. However, Antti Pyrhonen's team is already fully committed to 'talent development' with both Pauls Jonass and Arminas Jasikonis. The current riders are both only 23. Watson's options at Yamaha could also be limited. Especially if Yamaha's MXGP factory trio -Jeremy Seewer, Gautier Paulin and Arnaud Tonus- is downsized to a duo before '21.
Other options may also come under pressure if satellite teams have to tighten their belts for 2021. If the age limit were to change temporarily, things would become even more complex, even though Olsen and Watson have their sights set on MXGP. In any case, Infront Moto Racing has already shown that they are flexible to make adjustments, just think of the GPs one day before the planned 2020 competitions.
“As a 23-year-old it's difficult for us because we can't prove on track that we're worth a 2021 deal,” Watson said. “If I had the chance to stay in MX2, my choice would depend on the level of support. For example, if I could stay where I am now on 250 for another year, then I would go for that. But if the right opportunity arose for a nice MXGP place – and legally I could still ride in the MX2 – then the 450 would be my first choice.”
Tekst: Adam Wheeler/Tom Jacobs
Photos: JP Acevedo, CDS
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