Hans Corvers about the new Jago Geerts
Although Indonesia was a slightly inferior GP for Jago Geerts, he is fully participating for the marbles this year. You can see from many things that there is a different Geerts on the bike than in previous years. We asked team manager Hans Corvers for text and explanation.
MXMag: Jago is riding his best season yet. He really has a chance to win the title this year. What is the big difference with the Jago of previous years?
Hans Corvers: Iago prepared himself in a different way. He has now also become more open about certain things and that does have an effect. He has changed with driving and also as a person. We went to the US at the beginning of the year and that was at our own request. That has caused a complete turnaround. Jago is now mentally stronger, shows character and is hard on himself. He can also tolerate a lot of pain because his pain threshold is extremely high. He has really improved this winter and you are starting to see that now. He sometimes makes mistakes left and right, but that has diminished considerably. He can also take his time and manage it better.
MXMag: What specifically has he done differently in his preparation for a new season?
Hans Corvers: Jago was used to the guidance of Motorsport Vlaanderen and he was hit hard by the loss of Dirk Geukens. He then continued with Pierre Schroyen, with whom he still works. He also started working with another doctor in the off-season and the collaboration is going well. He also works with someone who influences him and the combination of all this works well for Jago. Of course he has also had some bad luck this season. A few things happened that really shouldn't have happened and for which Iago wasn't to blame. It did cost him some points.
MXMag: Jago Geerts and Tom Vialle ride at a very high level. Both riders have to deal with small problems, but it seems that it will be these two who will ride for the title?
Hans Corvers: It is true that from the start of the season until about three weeks ago it was between Geerts and Vialle, but now that has changed. Another person has been added and it continues to grow week by week. I think he will seriously intervene in the debates.
MXMag: That person is of course Thibault Benistant. Has his disregard for team orders caused resentment within the team?
Hans Corvers: No, that didn't cause any resentment. You have to look at it this way: the riders are the same, they ride the same engines that may be set up differently, but the material is identical. The same amount of effort is made for both riders. Well, Thibault is coming back from injury and you could assume that if there is no longer a need to fight for a title, he could ride for Jago. But it's not that simple because he wants to break open his contract and improve it and you need performance for that. Denying yourself a podium spot in your own country under those circumstances is of course difficult. We had never made an appointment in advance in that respect. Once again we have agreed that everyone can drive for themselves. They must drive fairly. We have now told Thibault that if Jago is faster, it is not possible to block an attack turn after turn. Then let Jago pass a little faster than you normally would. So there are clearly no team orders, but whether that will remain that way is of course another matter. At the moment, Jago and Thibault can ride for what they are worth.
MXMag: Do you see a scenario with two super strong riders in one team that could play into the hands of Jago Geerts while Tom Vialle has no one to assist him?
Hans Corvers: I want to be careful in my statements, but I think when it comes to the end of the season on a few points that it is only normal that Benistant will not make things difficult. The boys will of course have to do their thing for the next five or six GPs. It is an individual sport and it is every man for himself. You should also see it as that in normal circumstances without orders Thibault can also steal points from Vialle. Jago is strong, but if he wants to become world champion he has to surpass Thibault, period!
MXMag: The riders riding for the title in the MX2 class this year are out of contract. To what extent does this influence the functioning of the team and the drivers themselves?
Hans Corvers: I don't think that matters much. There are many things that have an influence. The rider must feel good on the bike and must feel at home in the team. Jago has been in the team for five years now and knows the ins and outs. In any case, he will ride MX2 again, that has already been decided, but whether he does so with us or in the “orange team” is not decisive. I think the thinking goes more to the years after that because he signs a two-year contract for one year of MX2 and one year of MXGP. Does he fit into the KTM Factory system or does he fit into Louis Vosters' Yamaha Factory Team?
MXMag: After years of building a team and winning many victories, how different is it for you to be able to go for a world title again?
Hans Corvers: That of course gives a terribly good feeling, I cannot hide that. We are now starting to notice that our success is not always appreciated by everyone. All in all it is a great feeling and the team is super motivated by the success. We have been competing for the marbles for the last three years and the future also looks good.
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