Jago Geerts about his GP of Spain
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider Jago Geerts took his tenth series win of the season and finished second in the 12th round of the FIM World Championship. Ben Watson, who had bad luck in the first series, finished seventh in Spain.
Timed practice did not go as planned for the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Team. Both riders struggled on the brand new circuit in Arroyomolinos, about 30 kilometers southwest of Madrid. Geerts was eighth in qualifying, Watson did not get further than 18th place, which meant they both had a bad place at the starting gate.
Despite those poor stat positions, both riders shot well out of the starting gate in the first heat: Watson entered the first corner in third place, Geerts in fourth. Watson was not lucky when Boisramé fell right in front of him and he could not go anywhere. The Brit had to restart from 20th position.
It was very difficult to make up time on the hard track, but Geerts still managed to close the gap on the top three after setting the fastest lap. But just when he had found the connection, Geerts made a small mistake. One that cost him a lot of time and also a place. Jago did everything he could to regain fourth place, but in vain.
Teammate Ben Watson had to fight his way through the peloton after a dramatic start. The Briton was one of the few riders who was able to make up many places on this difficult and technical course. His catch-up race took Watson from 20th to 9th place.
Lightning starts
The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory riders both had a great start in the second heat. Geerts claimed the holeshot, followed by Watson. But they couldn't enjoy it for long, because the Yamaha duo was already passed by Vialle on the first lap. Geerts immediately took action and continued to put pressure on the Frenchman throughout the series. Jago got into Vialle's wheel a few times, but just failed to make an attack. In the last lap Geerts got a little help when Vialle braked his bike to death. Jago immediately punished that mistake and took his tenth series victory of the season.
Watson had a very difficult first lap on the freshly watered track and dropped from second to sixth place. The Briton was involved in a battle for fifth place with Renaux throughout the series, but was unable to overcome the Frenchman.
Geerts remains second in the World Cup standings, but Vialle saw a slightly further lead. He is already looking at a deficit of 52 points. Watson remains seventh in the World Championship.
Jago Geerts: “I had a good start in the first heat, but someone fell in front of us and I lost some time. I came back well into the top three, but then had difficulty passing. I was looking for new lines when I slipped and lost a spot. We changed gears for the second series. A good decision. I took the holeshot, but was passed by Vialle on the first lap. I kept chasing him throughout the series and got a gift at the end when he braked his bike to death. Vialle now has 52 more points. That's quite a lot, but it's not over yet. I will keep fighting until the end.”
Ben Watson: “Two great starts, but not the results I had hoped for. I started third in the first heat, but when we came down the first mountain Boisramé crashed right in front of me. I couldn't go anywhere anymore. It was very difficult to pass on this track. Still, I managed to move up from 20th to 9th place. Certainly not bad in itself. I also got away well in the second series. I entered the first corner second, but I didn't feel safe or comfortable on the overwatered course and lost some positions. Not a great result, but so be it. I am now especially looking forward to Lommel, a place that I have good memories of.”
Marnicq Bervoets:“Both Jago and Ben made a very good start in the first heat, but luck was not on their side. Someone hit the ground right in front of them. Ben was completely stuck and had to start playing catch-up. A very difficult task on this track. Yet he still came back to ninth place. A great achievement. Jago made a small mistake when he looked for other lines and had to be satisfied with fifth place. Another two good starts from our boys in the second series. But Ben felt uncomfortable on the freshly watered track and dropped back a bit. Geerts was quickly caught by Vialle, but received a present at the end. He is now 52 points behind Vialle. We are already looking forward to Lommel. We have nothing to lose.”
Photos: shotbyBavo
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