Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider Jago Geerts finished second in round 6 of the FIM world championship MX2 in Faenza, Italy. The Belgian is now a mere three points from reclaiming the red plate. Ben Watson had a lot of bad luck in the first of three Grand Prix in Faenza and finished 14th.

Following the success of the three Latvian Grand Prix the FIM World Championship headed to Faenza – for the first time since 2012 – for another triple header. Three weeks ago the riders faced a sandy track in Kegums, this time they had to race on a typical old school Italian hard pack track. Monster Energy Yamaha Factory riders Jago Geerts and Ben Watson qualified as fifth and ninth in time practice on the steep and rutty track.

Great starts

The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory riders knew that a good start was really important. Geerts powered his YZ250FM into second place, right behind championship leader Vialle in the first turn of the first race. The Belgian had difficulties finding a good rhythm and speed in the first ten minutes. Once found, Geerts slowly came closer on Vialle. The Frenchman handed Geerts an easy victory when he crashed halfway the race. Ben Watson had a terrible first race. He crashed in the first lap and broke the lever of his front brake. Game over.

Geerts, full of confidence after his race win, got a blistering start in the second race. He took his third holeshot of the season, but made a small mistake a few turns later and dropped into third place, behind Renaux and Vialle. The Belgian put a lot of pressure on the French duo, but couldn’t come close enough to launch an attack. Geerts finished third in race 2 and second overall.

Teammate Ben Watson started in ninth position, but struggled to find a good rhythm. The Brit remained in ninth place the entire race and finished 14th overall.

Geerts remains second in the world championship classification, but almost closed the gap – three points now – on leader Vialle. Despite his bad luck Watson is still seventh in the championship.

#193 Jago Geerts

2nd overall

“It was my first time in Faenza. I really liked the track. Lots of ruts, well prepared. Nevertheless, I couldn’t follow the pace of Vialle in the beginning of the first race. Slowly I managed to get back on him. When he crashed I took the lead and won. In the second race I got the holeshot but made a mistake and dropped to third position. I pushed ’till the end, but the track got trickier, so I decided not to take too many risks. Second overall and five points closer on Vialle: I can’t complain. I will try to put pressure on him.”

#919 Ben Watson

14th overall

“It was a tough day. I didn’t make a great time in qualifying, but I knew it was ok for the start position. I took a good start in race 1 and was riding in third. Unfortunately, I crashed on a wet spot and broke my front lever. I tried to continue but realised it was not safe and – even after a pit stop – could not finish the race. Race 2 my start was mediocre. After missing the first race it took too long for me to find a rhythm and get used to the lines. I rode tight and didn’t have a good feeling.”

Marnicq Bervoets

Team manager

“Geerts did what he had to do: get a good result on this difficult an tricky track. Jago took two great starts, which helped him a lot. He rode a very smart race, without taking too many risks. Second place overall and five points closer on Vialle in the championship classification; job well done. Watson had a really tough day. Two crashes in the first lap of the first race, with a broken lever as a result, ruined his day completely. In race two he had difficulties to find a good rhythm. He started in ninth place and finished in the same position.”

RESULTS

Race 1

1. JAGO GEERTS (Yam/Bel)

2. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam) +0:07.292

3. Mathys Boisramé (Fra/Kaw) +0:09.304

4. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) +0:09.701

5. Conrad Mewse (GBr/KTM) +0:10.221

BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) DNF

Race 2

1. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam)

2. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) +0:03.359

3. JAGO GEERTS (Yam/Bel) +0.08.329

4. Mathys Boisramé (Fra/Kaw) +0:27.441

5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (Fra/Kaw) +0:28.610

9. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) +0:35.621

Overall

1. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam) 47

2. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) 45

3. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) 40

4. Mathys Boisramé (Fra/Kaw) 38

5. Jed Beaton (Aus/Hus) 30

14. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) 12

World championship classification

1. Tom Vialle (Fra/KTM) 257

2. JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) 254

3. Maxime Renaux (Fra/Yam) 196

4. Jed Beaton (Aus/Hus) 178

5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (Fra/Kaw) 169

7. BEN WATSON (GBr/Yam) 139

Next race: September 9, GP7 Faenza (Ita)

Images by CDS – @yamahaofficialracing.com