Once again with the two of them on stage
Just three days after the very first double podium, two riders from the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team were again on the podium in Lommel. Ben Watson finished second (his best result ever!) and Jago Geerts 3rd in the 14th round of the FIM World Championship.
Apart from a small adjustment just before the waves, hardly anything had changed in the layout of the toughest circuit in the world compared to Sunday. Although the rain – from Saturday to Sunday – had made the track a bit harder. But that didn't seem to bother the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 riders. Geerts took pole position, his fourth of the season, while Watson clocked the fifth fastest time in qualifying.
Catching up
Geerts immediately capitalized on his good starting position by taking the lead in the second corner. Watson fared less well. The Brit started ninth and lost three more places in a difficult opening round.
Although Vialle followed him like a shadow, Geerts seemed to be firmly in control at the front. Seemed like that, because in the sixth lap Jago made a mistake and was thrown over the handlebars and saw Vialle shoot past. The 20-year-old Bale native only lost one position, but suddenly found himself with a gap of 20 seconds on his French rival. Game over? Nope. Geerts – angry after that fall – went crazy and rode three seconds faster than Vialle per lap. That strong recovery brought him back to Vialle's wheel. What's more, Geerts took the series victory with a clever passing maneuver inside.
Geerts wasn't the only Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider with a mission. Watson recovered well after a weak first lap and then performed an impressive overtaking race. That recovery, with some brilliant overtaking maneuvers, took the Brit from 12th to 3rd place.
Heavy crash
Geerts again shot like a comet out of the starting gate in the second series. The Belgian took the holeshot, but was immediately passed by Van De Moosdijk. Watson missed his start again and had to start tenth.
Geerts immediately bombarded Van De Moosdijk with attacks, but still needed seven laps to take the lead from the Dutchman. Just when everyone thought Jago would drive away from the rest, things went wrong. Geerts hit the ground hard and was buried under his motorcycle. The Belgian needed some time to straighten out and had to restart in seventh. A place where Jago – who had completely lost his rhythm – would also end up. Good enough for third place in the final standings.
Watson felt great in the deep sand and once again raced through the peloton like a whirlwind. The Briton, who was conditionally strong, kept pushing until the end and even defeated Van De Moosdijk in the very last lap after a clever move on the outside. Second in the series and in the Grand Prix. His best result ever.
#193 Jago Geerts
“I felt very good on my bike. The adjustment was perfect. I made a mistake in the first heat, but came back to the front very quickly. I was really happy with my speed. I also had the same feeling in the second series. I took over the leading position from Van De Moosdijk, but then things went wrong. To be honest, I have no idea what happened. Suddenly I was on the ground, under my motorcycle. This is so frustrating. I'm the fastest, but something goes wrong every time. Luckily I didn't get injured.”
#919 Ben Watson
“Second in a GP. My best result ever, after four third places. Such a step up on the podium really feels fantastic. However, I had two very weak starts today, but in the race itself I felt very strong. I knew it would be two long and tough series, but I trusted my good condition. I managed to move to the front both times and pass many riders. Even in the final phase. I'm already looking forward to the third and final race in Lommel, next Sunday. Hopefully I can maintain this level.”
Marnicq Bervoets
"Mixed feelings. Once again. On the one hand, we are satisfied because we are back on the podium with two riders and because Watson has achieved his best result ever. Ben was, outside of his starts, incredibly strong. He just kept going, until the end. A great performance. On the other hand, third place is not enough for Geerts. He was happy with the setup, was also incredibly fast in the first heat, but threw it away in heat two. That hurts."
Posted: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photos: Leon van der Spank
Also to read
Langenfelder is going to try it this weekend
Last weekend during the mud festival, Simon Langenfelder was injured. The GasGas rider crashed in the early stages of the second moto and broke his collarbone. The German is finished…Ferruccio Zanchi makes his return this weekend
Good news for Ferruccio Zanchi and Team HRC because the Italian makes his return this weekend. The 17-year-old motocross rider crashed during training before the Grand Prix in Sardinia...Kawasaki comes with a factory team in the MX2
Good news from Kawasaki because from 2025 the Japanese brand will field an official factory rider(s) in the FIM MX2 World Championship. This will happen under the banner of IceOne Racing. It …Hermans/Van den Bogaart win ONK Heerde
Koen Hermans and Ben van den Bogaart have won the ONK in Heerde. They were in the dress rehearsal for the Grand Prix, which takes place in two days at the same circuit...
Your reactions