Jago Geerts: “I ran out of time”
The GP of Flanders, in Lommel, was a triumph for the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team. Jago Geerts won his home race for the first time in his career. Maxime Renaux finished third and extended his World Cup lead to 26 points. Finally, Thibault Benistant finished in a nice fourth place.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team has its headquarters in Genk, just 40 kilometers from the sand circuit in Lommel. A Grand Prix, which is marked in red. Also because the three riders live a maximum of half an hour's drive from the circuit.
The day started well for the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team. Jago Geerts (2nd), Maxime Renaux (3rd) and Thibault Benistant (7th) entered the top 7 in the time training, which gave them good starting positions.
1 + 2
Renaux and Geerts were able to immediately capitalize on their good times at the start. The two entered the field in second and third, right behind Vialle who took the holeshot. Unfortunately, Benistant was not among them at the front. The Frenchman had to work his way to the front from 15th position.
Renaux immediately took the lead at the front, closely followed by Geerts. The two teammates clearly felt like fish in water in the deep sand and immediately created a big gap with the rest of the peloton. Geerts put constant pressure on Renaux, but the Frenchman seemed to have everything perfectly under control. Until lap 10. Renaux was hindered by a doubled rider, was forced into a different line and slid from the front. Geerts didn't hesitate for a second and took over the lead. The Balenian stayed cool, opened a nice gap and then drove authoritatively to the series victory. His third of the season. Ten seconds later, Renaux crossed the line in second place.
Benistant, meanwhile, kept getting better and better. While most riders had to slow down towards the end, the teenager – he turned 19 on Saturday – raced through the pack. After an impressive catch-up race, he was one-tenth of a second short of finishing fourth.
2 + 3
Kay De Wolf, who had taken pole position, had the best start in the second series, but was followed by a Monster Energy Yamaha Factory train with Benistant, Geerts and Renaux. Geerts quickly moved up to second place and then went looking for De Wolf. Jago did put pressure, but never really got into the Dutchman's wheel. Just when the race seemed over - three laps from the end - the Balenian found an extra gear. Geerts managed to get to De Wolf's wheel, but he was no longer able to pass him.
Behind this duo, Renaux jumped over Benistant to third place in the fifth round. Because the gap to the leaders was too big, the World Cup leader wisely decided not to take any more risks and secure third place. Benistant finished fourth.
With Geerts and Renaux, two Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 riders were again on the podium. In addition, Renaux increased his lead in the World Cup to 26 points over Guadagnini. Also nice: in the World Championship for Constructors, Yamaha overtakes KTM to first place.
Jago Geerts: “Many people expected me to win one of the three GPs in Lommel last season, but that didn't work out then. Now I have been able to add that home GP to my name. A great feeling. Especially because I was able to drive for my own fans once again. They were very loud and even had smoke bombs with them. Top! Completely the opposite of last year when no public was allowed. I would have really liked to win the second series, but I ran out of time to catch De Wolf. The next assignment is Latvia, also a job I love. The podium is my goal.”
Thibault Benistant: “Fourth place in Lommel. All in all, not a bad result. In the first series I was tagged at the start by another rider. My front brake was severely damaged. I had to complete the entire series without a front brake. In the first 15 minutes I had a hard time with this, but towards the end I really gained steam. I found a good rhythm, more speed and was able to move up a few places. In the second heat I got a good start, but I didn't feel great. I noticed that I couldn't apply pressure without making a mistake. Then I decided not to take unnecessary risks anymore.”
Maxime Renaux: “A very consistent day for me. Third in the timed training, second in the first heat, third in the second heat and also third in the final standings. I'm quite satisfied with that, because regularity is the key to success. I'm just a little disappointed with the first heat, where I was knocked to the ground by a doubled rider. I had to take another line, came back to the right line, but then moved away. Regrettably. In the second heat, De Wolf and Geerts were already flying when I came in third place. I approached it smartly and especially thought about the valuable World Cup points.”
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