Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider Jago Geerts won his second Grand Prix in round 4 of the FIM World Championship in Latvia. With a double moto victory! Teammate Ben Watson was hit by bad luck and finished 14th.
#193 Jago Geerts. Image by @shotbybavo
Following a five-month break, the FIM World Championship MX2 resumed at Kegums, Latvia last weekend. Wednesday brought the second chapter of the triple header on Latvian soil. There were some minor changes in the Zelta Zirgs circuit, but nothing drastic. Both Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 riders felt good on the track, which resulted in a third (Geerts) and seventh place (Watson) in time practice.
In control
Geerts had only one mission: reclaiming championship points after his sixth place on Sunday. His third place behind the starting gate resulted in a good start in the first heat. He was right behind Vialle in the first turn en played a game of leapfrog with the Frenchman in the first lap. Watson also had a good start, sixth place, but had to pull out of the race a few turns later, due to a technical issue.
Meanwhile Geerts was putting pressure on leader Vialle. His first attack, in lap four, was immediately the right one. Geerts made a small gap after putting in the fastest lap of the race and was - even after a small crash - in control until the end.
Holeshot
The bad luck continued to haunt Watson. The Brit was hit by another rider in the first turn of the second race, went down and had to restart from the very last position. Things worked out better for Geerts, as he took an impressive holeshot on his YZ250FM. Again, the Belgian was in full control. Even when Van de Moosdijk came close in the final phase of the race, Geerts stayed cool as a cucumber and took his first double moto victory in a Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Watson was fighting like a brave to move up in the field. And he did. From very last to ninth position on a difficult and sketchy track.In the championship classification, Geerts regained 14 points on leader Vialle. He's now only eight points behind the Frenchman. Watson is now eighth in the championship standings.
#919 Ben Watson. Image by @shotbybavo
The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team. Image by @shotbybavo
#193 Jago Geerts
First place
“It was a really good day for me. My first double moto victory in a Grand Prix and my first holeshot of the year in the second race. Good starts make the job a lot easier. Also important: I came 14 points closer on Vialle. To be honest, that's more than I hoped for. Vialle was really strong last Sunday, so I expected a fight with him today. I'm already looking forward to the third and last race in Latvia, next Sunday. I really love this track and I don't feel tired. My body responded well to the crash last Sunday. I'm feeling fit and confident."
#919 Ben Watson
14th place
“It's really frustrating. Something is always on top of me. In the first race my bike broke straight away in the first lap. That was completely out of my hand. For the second time in eight races this year zero points. And also in the second race I was hit by bad luck. Somebody hit me in the start and I crashed. I'm happy with my comeback. From very last to ninth place. Not bad on this sketchy track. I was constantly in a battle, which made it difficult to stay in a good rhythm. The riding was good. I will stay positive. One day luck will be on my side..."
Marnicq Bervoets
Team manager
"This is what Geerts needed after last weekend. He was already good in time practice, which offered him a better position behind the starting gate. He had two great starts and was in control most of the time. He got a lot of pressure in the second race from Van de Moosdijk and Boisramé, but responded well. GP victory and 14 points closer on Vialle. A great day for Geerts. Unfortunately, Watson had a lot of bad luck. First an electronic problem, then a crash in the start. A pity, because Ben is in a good form. Something you could see in his catch up race. He fought till the bitter end."
RESULTS
Race 1
1. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM)
2. Roan Van De Moosdijk (Ned/Kaw) +0:06.931
3. Mathys Boisramé (Fra/Kaw) +0:15.342
4. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) +0:18.595
5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) +0:019.252
BEN WATSON (GBR/YAM) DNF
Race 2
1. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM)
2. Roan Van De Moosdijk (Ned/Kaw) +0:09.759
3. Mathys Boisramé (Fra/Kaw) +0:22.991
4. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) +0:26.744
5. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam) +0:28.558
9. BEN WATSON (GBR/YAM) +0:47.093
Overall
1. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) 50
2. Roan Van De Moosdijk (Ned/Kaw) 44
3. Mathys Boisramé (Fra/Kaw) 40
4. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) 36
5. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam) 30
14. BEN WATSON (GBR/YAM) 12
World championship classification
1. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) 170
2. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) 162
3. Jed Beaton (Aus/Hus) 123
4. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam) 116
5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (Ned/Kaw) 115
8. BEN WATSON (GBR/YAM) 91
Next race: August 16, GP5 Kegums (Lat)