Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha rider Jago Geerts finished fifth (5+6) at round 13 of the FIM World Championship MX2 in Loket, Czech Republic. The Belgian teenager reclaimed the third place in the championship and gained extra confidence ahead of his home Grand Prix in Lommel next weekend.
The FIM World Championship returned to Europa after two Grand Prix in Indonesia. Round 13 took place at the old school circuit in Loket, a track that has been on the calendar since 1995. Unfortunately, no Ben Watson in action in Loket. The Brit is still recovering from a broken hand and hopes to be back at the Grand Prix of Belgium, in Lommel next weekend.
The Czech Grand Prix, on the hard pack track in Loket, didn’t start as hoped for Jago Geerts. The Belgian crashed – after being hit from behind – in the first turn of the qualifying race on Saturday. The teenager showed a lot of perseverance in his catch up race, which brought him from 39th to 14th place. Great recovery, but still a poor gate pick, especially in Loket with its 180 degree first corner.
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Despite that gate pick, Geerts took a decent start (10th) on his YZ250F in the first race and was already in eighth place after the first lap. The speed was high, which made it difficult to gain positions on the hard packed and slick track. Geerts managed to pass Larranaga and had a bit of luck to gain two more places after Vlaanderen and Vialle bumped into each other. Geerts looked very hungry and put a lot of pressure on Beaton in a fight for fourth position. Unfortunately, Geerts made a small mistake and went down. Luckily, with no harm and without losing a position.
Geerts second race was almost a carbon copy of his first one: tenth in the first turn and eighth after one lap. The Belgian youngster didn’t want to take too many risks and decided to ride a smart race. He gained two more positions after passing Horgmo and Vialle, finishing sixth and fifth overall. Nice bonus: with still five rounds to go Geerts reclaimed the third place in the world championship.
#193 Jago Geerts
5th overall
“Fifth place, not bad at all. Loket is not one of my favourite tracks and starting from 14th position is very difficult here. I rode two solid motos and could pass some guys in the beginning of the race. I also reclaimed the third position in the world championships. I’m really happy with that. But it’s still a long road. Next up is Lommel, one of my favourite tracks. I’m really looking forward to my home race.”
Marnicq Bervoets
Team manager
“Geerts rode two very mature motos. Maybe, he could have gone a bit faster, but then he needed to take more risks. It was really smart of him not to do that. It’s easy to make mistakes on this slick track. Two solid races, very regular. That’s something he really needed after a couple of difficult races. Of course we are looking forward to Lommel now. Our home GP. It would be nice if Jago could get on the podium there.”
RESULTS
Race 1
1. Jorge Prado (Esp/KTM)
2. Henry Jacobi (Ger/Kaw) +0:08.007
3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) +0:11.631
4. Jed Beaton (Aus/Hus) +0:17.866
5. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) +0:23.742
Race 2
1. Jorge Prado (Esp/KTM)
2. Adam Sterry (GBr/Kaw) +0:10.244
3. Henry Jacobi (Ger/Kaw) +0:17.878
4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) +0:20.837
5. Calvin Vlaanderen (Ned/Hon) +0:25.531
6. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) +0:32.755
Overall
1. Jorge Prado (Esp/KTM) 50
2. Henry Jacobi (Ger/Kaw) 42
3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) 38
4. Adam Sterry (GBr/Kaw) 37
5. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) 31
World championship classification (13/18)
1. Jorge Prado (Esp/KTM) 594
2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) 504
3. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) 391
4. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) 380
5. Henry Jacobi (Ger/Kaw) 377
8. BEN WATSON (GBR/YAM) 246
Next race: August 4, GP14 Lommel (Bel)
Images by Yamaha Racing/@shotbybavo/CDS