The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team took their second double podium, only three days after the first one. Ben Watson finished 2nd (a career best result!) and Jago Geerts 3rd in round 14 of the FIM World Championship in Lommel.

Besides a small change towards the wave section, the lay-out of the toughest circuit in the world remained the same as last Sunday. Overnight rain made the circuit a bit heavier, which suited the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 riders well. Geerts took pole position, his fourth of the season, while Watson set fifth time in qualifying.

Great recovery

Geerts converted his pole position into a great start, taking the lead on the second turn. Watson had a mediocre start in ninth and lost three more places in a difficult opening lap.

Geerts seemed to be in total control, although Vialle was following him from a short distance. However, the Belgian made a mistake on lap 6. Jago got cross rutted, went over the handlebars and saw Vialle fly by. The 20 year old Belgian lost only one position, but was 12 (!) seconds behind his French rival. Game over? Not yet! Geerts – clearly angry after his crash – was on fire and rode three seconds a lap faster than Vialle. A phenomenal charge brought him back under the rear wheel of the Frenchman. Geerts was all over Vialle and passed him with a nice inside move to win race 1.

Geerts wasn’t the only Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider on a mission. Watson recovered well after a terrible first lap and started a great ride through the pack. His impressive catch up race brought Watson – after a lot of smooth passes – from 12th to 3rd place.

Big crash

Another blistering start from Geerts in the second race. The Belgian took the holeshot, but was immediately passed by Van De Moosdijk. Like in the first race, Watson took a mediocre start in 10th position.

Geerts was all over Van De Moosdijk from the beginning, but needed seven laps to take over the lead from the Dutchman. Just when everyone expected Geerts to pull away, he made a big crash and was pinned underneath his bike. The Belgian needed some time to get up and had to restart in 7th position. He had completely lost the rhythm and finished 7th, which was good enough for 3rd overall.

Watson was feeling really comfortable in the deep sand and, again, charged through the field, passing his rivals with ease. The Brit, physically in top form, kept pushing until the end and even passed Van De Moosdijk – a great move around the outside – in the final lap to finish second in the race and overall. His best result ever.

Welcome Benistant

Not two, but three riders in the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team next season. The 18-year-old Thibault Benistant, the recently crowned EMX250 champion, will join the team for 2021. He will race a YZ250FM in the FIM MX2 World Championship alongside Jago Geerts and Maxime Renaux.

“I am really happy to sign a young talent like Benistant”, says team owner Hans Corvers. “We’ve been following Thibault for many years, even before he was EMX125 champion and now he is EMX250 champion. It’s our goal to try to make him a MX2 champion.”

#193 Jago Geerts

3rd place overall

“I felt really good on the bike. The setup was perfect. I made a mistake in the first race, but came back strong. I was really happy with my speed. I had the same feeling in the second race. I took the lead after passing Van De Moosdijk, but then it went wrong. To be honest: I have no idea what happened. I hit the ground and got stuck underneath my bike. It’s so frustrating. I was the fastest guy, but every time something goes wrong. Luckily, I’m okay and I will get ready for Sunday.”

#919 Ben Watson

2nd place overall

“A second place, my personal best after four times finishing third. To go one step higher on the podium feels fantastic. I took two terrible starts, but felt strong in both races. I knew it was going to be two long and tough races, but I relied on my strength. I managed to charge through the field twice, made a lot of passes and was able to push until the end. I’m looking forward to the third and final race in Lommel, next Sunday. I hope I can maintain this momentum.”

Marnicq Bervoets

Team manager

“Mixed feelings. Once more. On the one hand, happy with another double podium for the team and a personal best for Watson. Besides his starts, Ben was flying. He was so strong. He kept pushing ’till the end. A great performance. On the other hand, third place is not enough for Geerts. He was happy with the setup and was incredibly fast in the first race, but threw it away in the second moto. That’s a bummer.”

RESULTS

Race 1

1. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM)

2. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) +0:10.862

3. BEN WATSON (GBR/YAM) +0:38.277

4. Ruben Fernandez (Esp/Yam) +0:53.408

5. Isak Gifting (Swe/Gas) +0:57.521

Race 2

1. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM)

2. BEN WATSON (GBR/YAM) +0:02.989

3. Roan Van De Moosdijk (Ned/Kwa) +0:09.294

4. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam) +0:18.439

5. Isak Gifting (Swe/Gas) +0:26.482

7. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) +0:29.245

Overall

1. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) 47

2. BEN WATSON (GBR/YAM) 42

3. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) 39

4. Isak Gifting (Swe/Gas) 32

5. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam) 31

World championship classification (14/18)

1. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) 616

2. JAGO GEERTS (BEL/YAM) 555

3. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam) 438

4. Jed Beaton (Aus/Hus) 429

5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) 410

6. BEN WATSON (GBR/YAM) 397

Next race: October 25, GP15 Lommel 3 (Bel)

Images by @shotbybavo – CDS – @yamahaofficialracing.com