The MXGP of the Netherlands in Arnhem has been one with mixed feelings for the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team. From one side there is the satisfaction about the nice seventh place for Andrea Bonacorsi and Jago Geerts’ decent comeback in the World Championship (eleventh place). On the other side the disappointment about the knee injury for Calvin Vlaanderen.
#93 JAGO GEERTS
11th overall
Qualifying race: Geerts, who made a successful comeback in Balen last Thursday, after an elbow fracture, finished sixteenth in the time practice. Also in the qualifying race, Jago – who tried to get the set-up of his Yamaha as good as possible- has to settle with a 16th place.
Race 1: Geerts has a good start and enters the first turn in position eight. Despite the lack of competition rhythm the rider from Balen keeps this position for a long time. Only far into the race Jago has to reduce the pace and first Bonacorsi and later Forato took advantage of this to pass him. Anyway a nice tenth place for his comeback in the World Championship.
Race 2: Geerts clearly has not forgotten how to start during his absence. Jago is fifth after the start for the second moto but in the first lap he loses three spots. He manages to keep this place for a long time. In the second part of the moto it is obvious that Jago misses competition rhythm. Geerts drops back to P13. Good for an eleventh place overall in his first Grand in MXGP.
Comment: “After my successful comeback in Balen, earlier this week, I’m really satisfied with my return to the World Championship. Two good starts, two decent motos. I can’t expect more yet. Don’t forget that I miss competition rhythm. This was my first GP of the season. And don’t forget this was my first race in MXGP. That requires a certain adjustment, you know. I’m especially happy to be back again. The train has left again. Now the idea is to make steps forwards.”
RESULTS
Qualifying race
1 Glenn Coldenhoff (Ned/Fan)
2 Romain Febvre (Fra/Kaw)
3 Jorge Prado (Esp/Gas)
4 Jeffrey Herlings (Ned/KTM)
5 Tim Gajser (Slo/Hon)
6 CALVIN VLAANDEREN (Ned/Yam)
11 ANDREA BONACORSI (Ita/Yam)
16 JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam)
Race 1
1 Jeffrey Herlings (Ned/KTM)
2 Jorge Prado (Esp/Gas)
3 Glenn Coldenhoff (Ned/Fan)
4 Tim Gajser (Slo/Hon)
5 Romain Febvre (Fra/Kaw)
7 ANDREA BONACORSI (Ita/Yam)
10 JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam)
14 CALVIN VLAANDEREN (Ned/Yam)
Race 2
1 Jeffrey Herlings (Ned/KTM)
2 Jorge Prado (Esp/Gas)
3 Tim Gajser (Slo/Hon)
4 Glenn Coldenhoff (Ned/Fan)
5 Romain Febvre (Fra/Kaw)
9 ANDREA BONACORSI (Ita/Yam)
13 JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam)
CALVIN VLAANDEREN (Ned/Yam) DNS
Overall
1 Jeffrey Herlings (Ned/KTM) 50
2 Jorge Prado (Esp/Gas) 44
3 Tim Gajser (Slo/Hon) 38
4 Glenn Coldenhoff (Ned/Fan) 38
5 Romain Febvre (Fra/Kaw) 32
7 ANDREA BONACORSI (Ita/Yam) 26
11 JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) 19
17 CALVIN VLAANDEREN (Ned/Yam) 7
Championship classification (16/20)
1 Tim Gajser (Slo/Hon) 801
2 Jorge Prado (Esp/Gas) 792
3 Jeffrey Herlings (Ned/KTM) 766
4 CALVIN VLAANDEREN (Ned/Yam) 550
5 Jeremy Seewer (Swi/Kaw) 547
12 ANDREA BONACORSI (Ita/Yam) 248
24 MAXIME RENAUX (Fra/Yam) 63
32 JAGO GEERTS (Bel/Yam) 19
Foto’s @fullspectrum.media
