Jago Geerts hits back with GP win
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory rider Jago Geerts fought back well after three disappointing GPs in Lommel by taking a GP win in Pietramurata. Ben Watson had a lot of bad luck in round 16 of the FIM World Championship and finished eighth.
The final week of the FIM MX2 World Championship takes place in the shadow of the Dolomites, on the narrow and hard track in Pietramurata, where a new triple GP is scheduled. Ben Watson arrived in Italy full of confidence after his first GP victory in Lommel last week. The Briton was third fastest in time training, just ahead of his teammate Jago Geerts.
Both Ben and Jago got off to a good start in race 1. The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory riders dived right behind Vialle in the first corner. Geerts did not want to lose any time and immediately took the lead. Watson also tried to slip past Vialle, but was surprised by Sandner and Olsen. When Ben tried to pass Sandner on the third lap, the Austrian jumped into the air and crashed into both of them. Fortunately, Watson did not suffer any damage, although he had to resume in 21st position. At the front, leader Geerts braked his engine quietly, causing him to drop to fourth place. The Balenian tried to correct his mistake, but in vain. Watson, meanwhile, showed enormous perseverance and tore through the peloton. The Briton set his best time in the final lap and finished tenth.
Series win
Geerts took a mediocre start (sixth) in the second heat, while Watson was held up in the second corner and had to start a new catch-up race from 20th position. At the front, Geerts quickly moved up to third place, after which he set one fastest lap after another. Still, it took a while before he could get the better of Thibault Benistant on the narrow Italian course. On the 12th lap, the Belgian finally managed to pass his future teammate, after which he resolutely went for Vialle. Geerts quickly took over the lead when the Frenchman crashed. Jago had everything perfectly under control and took the series and GP victory. His fifth of the season.
Watson – just like in the first series – wasted no time and pushed his way to the front. After just six laps he was already in tenth position, but the Briton wanted more. #919 finished sixth after some tough passing maneuvers.
Jago Geerts: “This feels great after that disappointing week in Lommel. I am very satisfied with the riding itself, apart from that one mistake in the first heat when I braked my bike silently and lost three places. In the second heat I was just behind Vialle when he fell. I took over the lead, opened a gap and controlled until the end. I felt very good and comfortable on my bike. A big thank you to the team. We tested a lot last Wednesday and it is now paying off. I hope I can maintain this level for two more Grand Prix.”
Ben Watson: “Satisfied with the driving itself, but not with the result. That's the best way to summarize my day. I got a good start in the first heat, but collided with another rider in the air. It was a serious crash that I couldn't do anything about. Fortunately I was not injured and I was able to come back to tenth place. Another catch-up race in the second series, after I was held up in the second corner. I was able to make up a lot of places and finished sixth. Like I said: happy with my speed, but I was not rewarded with a good result.”
Marnicq Bervoets: “A second GP victory in a row for our team, that is of course great. I am especially happy for Geerts. Jago fought back well after a very tough week in Lommel. Still proof that he is mentally strong. Watson was again one of the fastest boys today and pulled off a lot of passing maneuvers, but had a little too much bad luck. In the first heat he was simply run off his bike and in the second heat he was stuck behind some other guys in the second corner. Ben showed a lot of fighting spirit, but unfortunately was not properly rewarded for it.”
Photos: shotbyBavo
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