Situated just 13 kilometers from the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP teams’ workshop in Bergeijk, The Netherlands, and 33 kilometers from the MX2 team headquarters in Genk, Belgium, the notorious Lommel circuit hardly needs introducing. It is one of the most physically and mentally demanding circuits globally and is a venue that all four riders have done plenty of laps at.
During the season, all six riders reside in Belgium or The Netherlands, no more than an hour’s drive from the Lommel circuit. After making a welcomed return to the podium in the Czech Republic three days ago, Seewer is feeling confident. Although the treacherous sand circuit is in complete contrast to the rock-hard clay of Loket, Czech Republic, Seewer lives in Lommel and is very familiar with the circuit. The super-Swiss entered the top-five in the championship points last Sunday. He is currently 43-points from the championship lead.
11-points further adrift, in seventh position, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Flying Dutchman Glenn Coldenhoff is also a keen sand rider. The ‘259’ has already proven his potential to challenge race wins on two occasions this season. Once was a near race-win at the Italian Grand Prix in Maggiora, and the other was two weeks ago at his home Grand Prix in Oss. As one of the strongest sand riders on the gate, ‘The Hoff’ is determined to carry the same speed he had in the opening race in Oss, into Lommel where he hopes to celebrate on the podium.
Lommel has been the site of Ben Watson’s most memorable performances. It was at the venue that the 24-year-old Brit celebrated his first ever Grand Prix win – it was in MX2 in 2020. The ‘919’ career is a story of continuous evolution. He gradually improved throughout his MX2 career to end the 2020 season as a consistent podium threat and a Grand Prix winner and is looking to do more of the same inside the premiere class.
Watson achieved a career-best top-five finish in the sand of The Netherlands 10-days ago and has since moved up into 10th position in the MXGP championship standings. As the best-placed rookie in 2021, the tall and humble YZ450FM rider is taking each race as it comes with the sole goal of growth and progress.
An exciting Grand Prix beckons for the Belgium-based Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team. Carrying the red plate as the championship leaders, and with three solid sand riders, there is a possibility that the team could lock out the podium. While that would be a dream scenario for Yamaha Motor Europe and the team, the spark was ignited when all three riders finished inside the top-three in the final race in the Czech Republic three days ago.
Belgium is renowned for its passionate motocross fans, and this weekend 5000 lucky onlookers will be permitted to enter the venue. After racing the Belgian Grand Prix behind closed doors last year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, this weekend will be extra special for the Belgium-based Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team as they continue to lead the MX2 World Championship with Maxime Renaux.
For Renaux, the champagne sprayed after celebrating his third podium finish this season has barely had time to dry as he shifts his focus to retaining the championship lead. The 20-year-old has been distinguished throughout his budding career by his incredible ability and technique in the sand. This weekend he will race with every intention of putting his YZ250FM back on the box and keeping hold of the red plate.
Renaux’ goal will not go unchallenged, as his teammate Jago Geerts wants nothing more than to win his home Grand Prix. The 21-year-old Belgian grew up less than 13 kilometres from the track and still currently lives nearby in Balen. He is now fifth in the championship, 33-points down on Renaux and only 3-points from Mathijs Boisrame in fourth.
Only days after uncorking a bottle of champagne on the MX2 podium for the first time in his career, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Thibault Benistant hopes to celebrate his 19th birthday this weekend with another milestone achievement. He is currently seventh in the championship chase, only 6-points shy of Geerts in fifth.
This weekend, Lommel will also stage the second rounds of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship and the EMX250 Championship. Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250’s Andrea Bonacorsi hopes to build on his third position in the European Championship as teammates Dave Kooiker and Bailey Malkiewicz look to finish inside the top-10.
Fresh off the podium, Yamaha Germany’s Larissa Papenmeier and fellow YZ250F mounted starlet Nancy van de Ven are hoping to improve on their third and fourth positions in the WMX Championship Standings..
