Geerts and Watson are writing history!
The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team had a historic day at the 17th round of the FIM World Championship. Jago Geerts and Ben Watson finished first and second in Pietramurata. The first time ever that the team has two riders on one and two.
Compared to last Sunday, no changes on the hard and slippery course in Pietramurata. Geerts – winner three days ago – set the fourth fastest time, which earned him a nice place at the starting gate. A completely different story with Watson, who only clocked the 16th fastest time.
Slipper
Geerts made a very good start in the first moto on his YZ250FM, but was pushed out in the second corner by Vialle and dropped from second to sixth place. Watson entered the field tenth. Geerts was able to move up one spot in the opening round, but made a small slip in the second round, which caused him to drop to place 12. The Belgian recovered quickly, showed a lot of perseverance and fought his way back to the front. On the eleventh lap, Geerts joined Watson, who was in fifth place after another strong catch-up race. Both Monster Energy Yamaha Factory riders were involved in a battle with (future teammates) Renaux and Benistant. Both Watson and Geerts managed to pass Benistant, but Renaux would not budge. Watson therefore finished fourth, just ahead of Geerts.
Battle between teammates
What a great start from the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory riders in the second series. Geerts grabbed the holeshot and immediately got Watson in his wheel. The pair then performed a very strong race. No one even managed to threaten them in the slightest. Watson was breathing down Geerts' neck for the entire series and was constantly looking for a place to pass. The Briton squeaked a few times, but Geerts remained icy calm and rode to series and GP victory. His sixth GP victory of 2020. Watson provided the icing on the cake by finishing second in the series and the Grand Prix. This was the first time ever that the team, based in Genk, had both riders on the two highest steps of the podium.
Jago Geerts is already assured of second place in the World Cup final standings - with one Grand Prix to go, again on Sunday in Pietramurata. Watson is currently sixth, but still has a chance to move up one or maybe even two spots.
#193 Jago Geerts
“Two GP victories in a row, that's great. My first series was not easy, however. I made a small mistake at the beginning and had to move forward again on this treacherous and narrow track. Fifth was quite a decent result, after that mistake. My second series was simply perfect. Hole start, good speed and in control the entire race. Even with a very strong Watson in my wheel. First and second place: a nice reward for all the hard work that everyone in the team has put in. We still have one GP to go, we will try to finish on a good note.”
#919 Ben Watson
“This was a great day. Especially for the team. A first and second place in a Grand Prix is simply fantastic. And well deserved too, because this team works damn hard. I am also happy to be on the podium again. Okay, sorry about that very poor start in the first series, but the driving itself was very good. Same in the second series. However, I also got off to a good start and settled into Geerts' wheel for the entire series. It was very difficult to pass and admittedly, Jago also rode very strong.”
Marnicq Bervoets
“First and second in the Grand Prix, that is a milestone for our team. I'm so proud of the boys, everyone on the team actually. Both Jago and Ben showed a lot of perseverance in the first series. They both came from outside the top 10 back into the top 5. A hellish job on this narrow track. The second series was phenomenal, with a fight for the overall victory between two teammates. My legs were really shaking. On the one hand I was very proud, on the other hand I was afraid that they would fall apart. What a great day this was!”
Posted: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photos: ShotbyBavo
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