Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider Jago Geerts started the 2022 season with a victory. The Belgian won the MX2-race in Alghero, Italy and finished third (and first MX2 rider) in the Superfinal.
Jago Geerts was the sole Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider in action in Sardinia, as team mate Thibault Benistant is still recovering from a knee injury.
Geerts, who is already in good shape after a training camp in the United States, was clearly he fastest MX2 rider on track. In time practice, the vice world champion was almost three seconds faster than the second rider. The Belgian showed his superiority in the MX2 race as well. Geerts grabbed the holeshot, immediately made a gap and was in full control until the end. “However, it was very difficult at the end with the many lapped riders”, said says Geerts.
In the Superfinal Geerts – on his MX2 machine – had to compete against the more powerful MXGP bikes. The Belgian took a good start on his YZ250FM and was right behind Seewer and Gajser in the first corner. Jago was passed by Beaton in the beginning of the race. Not for long, however. Geerts, in turn, passed the Australian and closed the gap on Gajser and Seewer almost completely. “But then I made a mistake, which allowed the two leaders to make a new gap,” said Geerts, who finished third. “I’m pretty happy with my riding today. I was fun to have a race again and to win again, even if this is just a preseason race.”
MX2 race
1. JAGO GEERTS
2. Cornelius Tondel +0:05.074
3. Hakon Fredriksen +0:27.029
4. Simon Langenfelder +0:29.563
5. Mattia Guadagnini +0:51.543
Superfinal (with MXGP)
1. Tim Gajser
2. Jeremy Seewer +0:15.917
3. JAGO GEERTS +0:21.784
4. Ben Watson +0:25.922
5. Simon Langenfelder +0:42.043
Images by Davide Messora – Yamaha Racing