Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Jago Geerts asserted his place at the top of the leader board with a convincing Qualifying Race victory at round two of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands.
The 19-year-old Belgian sensation got his YZ250FM off to a sensational start. He took the holeshot and led every single lap, 12 in total, to go Pole for the first time in his career. Teammate Ben Watson’s race was slightly more challenging. The 22-year-old Brit managed to cross the line in 14th.
After emerging from turn-one in eighth in the opening race, Geerts’ extraordinary speed and style on the rough and rugged Valkenswaard circuit was magnified as he dashed past many of the world's quickest MX2 riders.
With less than 1-minute left on the clock, Geerts had reeled the race leader, Tom Vialle, in and dragged past the Frenchman right in front of his team and mechanics in pitlane to take over the lead. The #193 eventually won his second race of the season with a 13-second advantage over Vialle.
Renaux set the fastest lap of the race on his way to his first top-three finish of the season, while Watson patiently found his rhythm after a decent start and managed to claw his way to fifth.
Persistent rain made for a dramatic Race 2. Geerts got off to yet another incredible start but clipped the rear wheel of another rider and was brutally thrown to the ground. The ‘193’ had the wind knocked out of him and was almost a full lap down by the time he had his breath back and was able to remount his YZ250FM.
While at one point it seemed inconceivable for the Belgian to bounce back from his spectacular fall, the youngster put on a compelling display of heart and determination as he charged to an absolutely mind-blowing seventh-place finish.
Renaux backed up his brilliant opening race with yet another stunning third-place performance, even after a heavy fall, while Watson put in a strong ride for fifth and fifth overall.
Geerts’ breath-taking performance in the final race of the day allowed him to salvage valuable championship points. He is now second place in the MX2 Championship Standings, 5-points shy of the new championship leader Vialle. Renaux has moved up to fourth in the Championship Standings, while Watson’s top-five result has boosted him up into eighth position.
All three riders are already looking forward to the next round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, which will take place in Villa la Angostura, Argentina on the weekend of March 21st.
