Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider Jago Geerts took his eighth race win of the season in round 8 of the FIM World championship in Faenza. The Belgian finished second overall, team mate Ben Watson had to settle for sixth.

The riders had to tackle the fast and rutty Monte Coralli track in Faenza for the third time this week. One difference: for the first time they raced in front of a limited number of 1.000 spectators.

In control

Geerts, who was eighth in time practice, got a rocket start on his YZ250FM. The Belgian youngster was right behind Tom Vialle in the first turn and immediately placed a successful move to take the lead. The two main title contenders were playing leapfrog a few times in that first lap, with Vialle crossing the line as leader after one lap. Geerts took his time in search for better lines. On lap 5 the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory rider got himself back under the rear wheel of Vialle. One lap later the Belgian was riding in the lead after a nice pass on the Frenchman. Vialle continued to hang on, but Geerts was in control all the time and clinched his eight race win of the season. Team mate Ben Watson, seventh in time practice, was eighth in the first turn, but dropped to 12th position after a little hiccup. Like always, the Brit fought like a brave, made some nice passes and managed to finish in seventh position.

Great starts

Both Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 riders took a blistering start (Geerts second, Watson third) in the second race. Geerts made a small mistake in the first lap and was passed by his teammate and by Beaton. In front Watson was putting pressure on Vialle, but the Brit lost the front on lap 4 and crashed. Geerts needed some laps to get used to the freshly watered and tricky track. Half way the race the Belgian moved into second place after a nice pass on Beaton, but he was more than 7 seconds adrift of Vialle. Geerts tried, in vain, to get closer and finished second in race 2 and also overall. Watson regrouped well after his mistake and was in a battle with Van De Moosdijk for fourth place, but he couldn’t pass the Dutch rider and finished fifth in race 2 and sixth overall.

Nothing changed for Geerts in the world championship standings. He remains second, 21 points shy of leader Viale. Team mate Watson moved up one place and is now sixth in the championship.

#193 Jago Geerts

2nd overall

“I’m pretty happy with my result today. Especially my first moto was really good. I needed a few laps to find the best lines. Once in my usual rhythm I could take the lead and control untel the end. I had another good start in the second race, but dropped from second to fourth place after a small mistake. It was very difficult to pass on this track, so I needed some time to come back into second place. Meanwhile, Vialle was already far gone. Anyway, second, fourth and again second in three Grand Prix on this tricky track: not a bad result. I’m already looking forward to Mantova, in two weeks time.”

#919 Ben Watson

6th overall

“I took a mediocre start in race 1, but unfortunately went off track and lost a lot of places. I had a small issue with my bike which made the race very difficult, but in the end I finished 7th. In race 2 I could move up to second behind Vialle and I was feeling really comfortable. I felt I was taking no risk at all but yet again the track was unpredictable. I just lost the front in a corner, my own mistake. I managed to get up quickly and finish in 5th place. Overall, I am happy to be leaving here healthy, the results were nothing special, but I have managed to ride on a high level.

Marnicq Bervoets

Team manager

“I’m pretty satisfied with the performances of our riders. Geerts is second overall with the same points as Vialle. A good result on a track that suited Vialle better. Also a good result after his crash on Wednesday. Watson was also riding strong. A pity about his crash in the second race, because he was putting pressure on Vialle. Anyway, a lot of riders picked up injuries this week. We are happy to leave this sketchy track without injuries. And we are looking forward to Mantova.”

RESULTS

Race 1

1. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam)

2. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) +0:2.931

3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) +0:03.502

4. Jed Beaton (Aus/Hus) +0:04.197

5. Conrad Mewse (GBr/KTM) +0:18.609

7. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) +0:25.370

Race 2

1. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM)

2. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) +0:07.101

3. Jed Beaton (Aus/Hus) +0:11.101

4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (Ned/Kaw) +0:14.561

5. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) +0:16.380

Overall

1. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) 47

2. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) 47

3. Jed Beaton (Aus/Hus) 38

4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (Den/Hus) 35

5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (Ned/Kaw) 33

6. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) 30

World championship classification

1. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) 354

2. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) 333

3. Maxime Reanux (Fra/Yam) 259

4. Jed Beaton (Aus/Hus) 247

5. Roan Van De Moosdik (Ned/Kaw) 210

6. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) 191

Next race: September 27, GP9 Mantova 1 (Ita)

Images by @shotbybavo – CDS – @yamahaofficialracing.com