Geerts still on the podium in an impressive catch-up race
This weekend in Pietramurata, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team's winning streak came to an end. Jago Geerts won the first series, but then had to deal with a lot of bad luck. Yet the World Cup leader settled on the third step of the podium after an impressive catch-up race. Thibault Benistant finished sixth, Rick Elzinga eleventh.
The Crossodromo Ciclamino in Pietramurata – beautifully situated in the shadow of the Dolomites – has been a permanent fixture in the FIM world championship since 1987. This weekend the World Cup stopped there for the nineteenth time. The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 riders immediately felt good on the narrow and winding track. Although Jago Geerts made a small slide in the last lap of the qualifying race, which dropped him from second to fourth place. Thibault Benistant finished a close second, while Rick Elzinga – after a fall in the opening lap – advanced from 25th to tenth place.
Holeshot
Punishment, that catch-up race by the Dutchman on Saturday. Because if there is something difficult in Pietramurata, it is overtaking. A good start is therefore very important. And Geerts – one of the most experienced riders in MX2 – knows this better than anyone. The World Cup leader took the holeshot in the first series and got Liam Everts in his wheel. His young compatriot continued to apply pressure throughout the series, but Jago did not budge. He stayed clear and took his fourth series victory of the season.
Benistant quickly moved from fifth to third place. The Frenchman then bombarded Everts with attacks, but failed to take over second place. On the contrary, halfway through the series, Thibault had to give up a place to Adamo, after which he crossed the line in fourth. After a difficult start (16th), Elzinga again had to catch up. One that brought him to P12.
Bad luck for Geerts
No holeshot for Geerts in the second series. Far from it, in fact. The vice world champion was boxed in and only passed the first corner in tenth place. A few bends and some clever passing maneuvers later, he was already in fifth position. But then things went wrong. Geerts came into contact with Adamo and fell to the ground. He straightened up quite quickly, but was then tapped again. Another fall, after which he had to fight back from 29th position. And he did! Geerts managed to pull off a tough overtaking race: from P29 to P7. Just enough for a well-deserved podium.
Benistant made a very good start (2nd), but was unable to put pressure on leader Längenfelder. On the contrary, Thibault could not get into his normal rhythm and fell back to fifth place. Elzinga missed his start after a lot of wrangling in the middle of the peloton. The Dutchman had to start hunting for the third time this weekend. And he did well again, from P25 to P11.
Geerts remains in the lead in the World Cup. The Balenian is 22 points ahead of Adamo, who has moved into second place over Benistant. Elzinga is eleventh.
#93 Jago Geerts
“A Grand Prix with two completely different series. In the first series I took the holeshot, after which I could continue to ride at my own pace. The circuit was treacherous and slippery, so a mistake was easily made. But I kept my focus until the end. A perfect race. My start wasn't as good in the second series, but I quickly moved into the top five. Then someone tapped me twice. Frustrating. Yet I came back from the very back to P7. Still good for the podium. So I can only be satisfied with the driving itself.”
#198 Thibault Benistant
“This was clearly not the weekend I had in mind. Certainly not after that great victory in Switzerland last weekend. I was always at the front in both heats, but at no point was I able to play for the win. That was especially difficult to digest mentally. I just didn't feel good on the bike, I wasn't having any fun either. I just have to accept this, even if it's not easy. I certainly shouldn't dramatize it either. Finishing fourth and fifth on a bad day: all in all, that's not too bad. Continue to work hard and do better in Portugal: that is the goal now.”
#44 Rick Elzinga
“The Grand Prix in Pietramurata became a Grand Prix chase for me. In the qualifying series I started around sixth place, but after half a lap I was caught in a crash. I came back from P25 to P10. In the first series I had a reasonable start, but initially my driving was terrible. I fell back to 20th place but then moved back up to 12th position. The second series really hit everything: I had a pretty good start, but suddenly someone got his steering wheel stuck in my rear wheel. I was able to start hunting again: from last to eleventh place. The driving itself was quite good. However, that does not yet translate into a good result.”
Posted: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
GALLERY: Yamaha Racing
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