In complete contrast to Lommel's soft sand, Arco di Trento is a hard pack track with some elevation and plenty of narrow sections. The track has proved difficult to pass on in the past but has always delivered close, action-packed racing.
All three of the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory riders have had memorable performances at the venue previously. For Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer, it was at the MXGP of Trentino back in 2014 that the young ‘91’ started to gain momentum in the MX2 class. The Swiss talent recorded his first-ever top-five race finish as a 'pro rider'. That result quickly became the first of many with Seewer challenging the MX2 crown in 2016 and 2017 – he ended up as the Championship runner up in both seasons.
Fresh from the third step of the podium at the MXGP of Lommel a few days ago, Seewer is currently third in the MXGP Championship Standings and only 10-points from Antonio Cairoli in second. He grew up racing on circuits similar to 'Arco' and is confident he can challenge the top-three over the next three events.
Currently sixth in the MXGP Championship, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Gautier Paulin is hungry for more. The 30-year-old Frenchman proved he can still challenge for race and overall victories following his emphatic race win in Lommel just over a week ago. The ‘21’ finished third overall at the MXGP of Trentino last year and is determined to celebrate more of the same over the next 10-days.
Quietly confident going into the final three rounds at Arco, Tonus is ready to end his injury-struck season on a positive note. The ‘4’ has had a challenging year with many niggling injuries, but after taking more than a month off racing, he proved his bravery when he decided to make his return in Lommel – the track touted as the ‘heaviest’ in the world. The 29-year-old has made a strong recovery after the three back-to-back races in the sand and is looking forward to returning to Arco di Trento. At Arco, he celebrated his first podium finish in the premier class, MXGP, which was with the Wilvo team back in 2017.
Following the news that he will be stepping up to the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team in 2021 after celebrating a milestone first-ever Grand Prix win in Lommel last weekend, Ben Watson is riding a wave of confidence. At 23-years-old, Watson has hit the age limit in MX2 and must step up from the 250cc to the 450cc next season. Towering at 183 centimeters tall, a bigger bike is something that the Brit looks forward to, but for now, he is focused on enjoying the final three races of his MX2 career where he hopes to place his Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 YZ250FM inside the top-five. He is currently sixth position on the MX2 leaderboard, 6-points from fifth.
Determined to return to his race-winning form, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2's Jago Geerts feels physically and mentally ready to move past the frustration of the previous three Grands Prix in Lommel. Mathematically, the MX2 title is still achievable although 74-points is a harsh margin to reduce over three rounds. Fortunately, the ‘193’ has a 101-point advantage over SM Action M.C. Migliori’s Maxime Renaux in third position, so he will line up second in the championship and free from pressure.
Yamaha stars, Watson, Geerts and Renaux will be joined on the gate by the reigning EMX250 Champion Thibault Benistant. Benistant impressed with a top-five finish and seventh overall at his MX2 debut in Lommel just three-days ago. The Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250 rider will line up for the next two rounds of the MX2 World Championship but will miss the 18th and final round as he gets ready to start his winter preparation with his new team, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2.
Saturday 31st of October could be a very ‘Happy Halloween’ for Ghidinelli Yamaha Racing’s Nancy van de Ven and Yamaha Germany’s Larissa Papenmeier. Both ladies will be lining up for the final round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship in the hunt of a maiden WMX world title. Van de Ven is the current series leader with a 4-point advantage over Courtney Duncan, while fellow YZ250F rider, Papenmier is a further 2-points adrift in third.
