The high-speed Portuguese circuit did not form too many ruts or lines this weekend. It only developed slick patches and small skittery braking bumps, elements that did not favor Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha's Ben Watson as he tried to fight forward from the back of the pack in both races.
Water had been put on the track heading into the opening race of the weekend, and with the base of the circuit being rock-hard, the added water made the surface very slippery and difficult to read. Throttle control and careful line selection was of the essence, two skills that usually play to Geerts' strengths.
In Race 1, Geerts made it known he is a genuine podium threat as he stormed past five riders to seal the deal on third position. Meanwhile, Watson salvaged 2-points with his 18th place finish after falling while challenging a place inside the top-five on the opening lap.
Luckless in the final race, both Watson and Geerts were victims of unavoidable incidents that were caused by the mistakes of other riders. Watson was working his way back from an average start when he slammed into a bike that was laying in the middle of the track and went over the 'bars. The 21-year-old was able to remount and recovered well for 14th position.
Geerts, on the other hand, was hit by the championship leader at turn one. The contact was so intense that it broke his goggles and he had to pull into the all-new 'goggle lane' for a new set. After rejoining the race, the youngster made a charge for a place inside the top-20 until he ran into a fallen rider and could not free his bike from the carnage.
After a turbulent weekend, Geerts remains fourth in the MX2 Championship Standings while Watson has dropped to seventh. Both riders will be out for redemption in five days time at the MXGP of France, in Saint Jean d'Angely.
