The Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2 Team left the second round of the Dutch Masters in Axel with mixed feelings. On the one hand satisfied with Ben Watson’s second place (3+3), on the other hand disappointed after the bad luck that cost Jago Geerts (1+DNF) the victory.
Jago Geerts took a blistering start on his YZ250F in the first race. The teenager took the holeshot and kept a high speed during the entire race. Nobody was able to keep up with the Belgian, who finished first with half of a minute advantage on Jacobi.
Watson was just outside the top 10 in the first corner and needed some laps to get into the right groove. The Brit slowly found a good rhythm and was able to move up into third position at the end of the race.
CATCH-UP RACES
No Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha rider at the front at the start of the second race. Geerts was seventh in the first corner, Watson had to start very last after his bike stalled at the gate.
Geerts was already riding in third place after only two laps, but his catch-up race was stopped by a mistake of Jacobi. The Belgian couldn’t avoid the German and went down. Game over? No way. Geerts started a new catch-up race, which brought him from 12th to… first place, with only two laps to go. But the teenager was hit by bad luck in the penultimate lap when he got a mechanical problem and couldn’t finish the race. No race victory, no overall victory for the fastest man on the track. A bummer.
Meanwhile, Watson showed a lot of determination as he rushed through the pack. His impressive catch-up race finished in third place, good for the second position overall.
#193 Jago Geerts
10th overall
“What can you do about bad luck? Nothing. I was feeling really strong today. My first race was almost perfect. In the second race I managed to come back in first position, but my bike broke down in the penultimate lap. Bye bye victory. With only four rounds in this Dutch Masters it will be very difficult to defend my title this year. Anyway, my riding was very good. That gives me extra confidence for Mantova next weekend.”
#919 Ben Watson
2nd overall
“Second place. Not bad at all, because my heart is not really with this kind of races. I have not the same enthusiasm as in the Grand Prix. I took it as a training. And it was a good training. I’m satisfied with my riding. Especially in the second race after my bike stalled at the gate. I can go to the Grand Prix in Mantova with a good feeling. I’m looking forward to go back to the GP’s, the real races after a five week break.”
RESULTS
First race
1. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam)
2. Henry Jacobi (Ger/Kaw) +32.230
3. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) +44.431
4. Davy Pootjes (Ned/Hus) +55.981
5. Adam Sterry (GBr/Kaw) +59.835
Second race
1. Roan van de Moosdijk (Ned/Kaw)
2. Henry Jacobi (Ger/Kaw) +7.006
3. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) +39.254
4. Davy Pootjes (Ned/Hus) +40.953
5. Mikkel Haarup (Den/Hus) +48.048
JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) DNF
Overall
1. Henry Jacobi (Ger/Kaw) 44
2. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) 40
3. Davy Pootjes (Ned/Hus) 36
4. Mikkel Haarup (Den/Hus) 30
5. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) 28
10. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) 25
Dutch Masters classification
1. Henry Jacobi (Ger/Kaw) 94
2. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) 65
3. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) 62
4. Davy Pootjes (Ned/Hus) 58
5. Adam Sterry (GBr/Kaw) 56
Next race: May 12, GP5 Mantova (Ita)
Images by Yamaha Racing/Eric Laurijssen