Yamaha goes for gold with Jago Geerts
The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team consists of renowned race and Grand Prix winners, Jago Geerts and Maxime Renaux, reinforced by last year's EMX250 champion, Thibault Benistant. Geerts, who enters his fourth consecutive year in MX2 with the Hans Corvers-led Yamaha team, won the same number of races as the eventual World Champion in 2020. A total of 14, proving he has the speed to challenge for the crown . In addition to his 14 race victories, the 20-year-old Belgian celebrated six Grand Prix victories and 12 podium finishes on his way to second place in the final standings.
Renaux took the bronze medal and was the winner of the MXGP Jan de Groot Young Rider of the Year award. He won one race on his way to a first Grand Prix victory and climbed to the podium no fewer than five times. The 20-year-old Frenchman is already familiar with his new team, having celebrated the FIM Junior Motocross 2015cc world title for the KEMEA team in 125. After achieving his original goal of finishing on the podium for a season in MX2, Renaux has gone the extra mile in terms of his physical preparation this winter. He is determined to achieve his ultimate goal: becoming MX2 world champion.
After a successful start to his MX2 career, having dominated the EMX250 Championship with eight race wins and six GP victories, Benistant made his Grand Prix debut at the end of the 2020 season. The 18-year-old immediately impressed with two top-three race finishes and a top-five overall finish during the three rounds he completed in Belgium and Italy. The young Frenchman has developed within Yamaha over the past decade and earned his place within the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team. He is eager to compete in the MX2021 series as one of the strongest rookies of 2.
With pre-season racing fast approaching, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team is excited to unveil its 2021 look. The teams' fierce new and updated set-up confirms an expansion of the partnership with two of the most successful clothing and protection brands in motocross, Troy Lee Designs and Alpinestars.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team is scheduled to compete for the first time in 2021 at the Internationali d'Italia Motocross Championship, expected to take place on February 28 in Riola Sardo, Sardinia.
Iago Geerts
“The low season is going very well. We're still taking it pretty easy because we're still two months away from the start of the championship, but I'm riding three times a week. I learned a lot in 2020. I learned that the season is long and you have to be consistent throughout the season. I also learned that everything has to be 100% with the bike and with myself. Otherwise it's too easy to make mistakes. I've been working on these things and I feel like I'm ready to fight for the title. I already had the speed in 2020, I just need to be a bit smarter and a bit more consistent and if I can do that I have a good chance of winning the title.”
Max Renaux
“My winter preparation is going well so far. We did a lot of physical training, not so much riding, but we are now in Sardinia and we are starting to ride the bike more. We have good conditions in Sardinia, good weather and good tracks, also the team is working with me and the bike, so everything is going well. I feel very good with the team. I definitely feel ready for the 2021 season. I still have some things to work on and spend more time on the new bike. I achieved my goal in 2020 by being on the podium with third place overall. So my goal for 2021 is to do better than that. We want the title, everyone is working for it. That's the main goal. There is no pressure. It's just something I want to achieve. It is my dream. I will do everything for it.”
Thibault Benistant
“My winter preparation is going very well, and I am really proud of that. I enjoy every moment on my Yamaha Factory bike, the YZ250FM. I enjoy the time with my trainer and with all the members of the team. I can't wait for the 2021 season. It's my first year in MX2, I just want to learn as much as I can. There is no pressure on me, so I think I can surprise people with what I can do.”
Posted: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photos: Yamaha
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