Jago Geerts took the first win of the season for the Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2 Team. The Belgian teenager was the best in the MX2 at the international race in Hawkstone Park (2+4 in motos). Teammate Ben Watson had a spell of bad luck in front of his home crowd.
Watson took a great start in the first moto. He was hunting leader Sterry when he got a stone in the sprocket. Game over. Meanwhile Geerts, who was fifth in the first corner, moved up some places and finished second.
It wasn’t Watsons day. In the second moto he struggled with clutch problems, resulting in a 10th place. Geerts didn’t have a great start (10th), but managed to make up some ground quickly. At the penultimate lap the Belgian teenager overtook Olsen, finishing in fourth position. A move that secured him the overall victory
Bad luck was chasing Watson all day. In the Superfinal, together with the best MXGP-riders, he had another DNF after clutch problems. Geerts on the other hand, was having a blast again. The
the eighteen-year-old could pass Kullas for sixth position and kept a good pace till the end.
“A great day for Geerts. He’s feeling very comfortable on the YZ250F. He’s on schedule for the start of the world championship in two weeks time”, said team owner Hans Corvers. “Ben was very fast and strong in the first moto, but was stopped by bad luck. That ruined his entire day.”
#193 Jago Geerts
1st overall
“First victory of the year. For myself and for the Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Team. I know it’s not a Grand Prix, it’s only a pre season race. But still, it feels nice to win. It means that we are on track for the world championship. I used the same set up as last weekend in Mantova and felt really good on my Yamaha. I think we found the right package. Also important: I didn’t suffer from arm pump that much today. I gained some extra confidence this weekend.”
#919 Ben Watson
16th overall
“I had too many problems today. It started with a stone in the sprocket when riding in second place in the first moto. In moto 2 and 3 I had a broken clutch. I could not ride to my potential today with so many problems. Everyone is working hard and I must stay positive and remember these are the pre season races. Argentina is where it matters. Let’s hope the problems are fixed for the first round of the world championship and I can race like Ben Watson.”
RESULTS
First moto MX2
1. Adam Sterry (GBr/Kaw)
2. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) +6.246
3. Henry Jacobi (Ger/Kaw) +15.114
4. Alvin Ostlund (Swe/Hus) +18.606
5. Thomas-Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) +19.143
BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) DNF
Second moto MX2
1. Dylan WAlsh (NZl/Hus)
2. Mikkel Haarup (Den/Hus) +2.777
3. Bas Vaessen (Ned/KTM) +8.057
4. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) +9.194
5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (Ned/Kaw) +12.391
10. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) +38.886
Overall MX2
1. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) 40
2. Adam Sterry (GBr/Kaw) 40
3. Mikkel Haarup (Den/Hus) 36
4. Bas Vaessen (Ned/KTM) 32
5. Thomas-Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) 30
16. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) 11
Superfinal (MX2+MXGP)
1. Ivo Monticelli (Ita/KTM)
2. Max Nagl (Ger/KTM) +10.738
3. Arminas Jasikonis (Lit/Hus) +15.222
4. Thomas-Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) +30.091
5. Max Anstie (GBr/KTM) +43.419
6. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) +46.182
BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) DNF
Next race: February 24, international race Lacapelle-Marival (Fra)