Yamaha Riders Look Forward to Loket

24-07-2019

Yamaha Riders Look Forward to Loket

Less than 22-points separates Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP's Jeremy Seewer and the Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP duo of Arnaud Tonus and Gautier Paulin in the fight for second position in the MXGP Championship Standings. The battle will recommence this weekend at the 13thround of the MXGP World Championship in Loket, Czech Republic, where all three riders will also have to deal with stiff competition from Seewer's Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP teammate Romain Febvre as he sets his sights on the Grand Prix victory.

Loket is a classic style track that embodies plenty of steep up-hills, and as many daunting down-hills. The compound of the track is classed as 'blue-groove' clay which means tyre selection and throttle control will be of the essence. The track is located 130km west of the country's capital - Prague - and has been etched into the hillside of Loket - a quaint medieval village that has been made famous by its role in the blockbuster hit - James Bond 007 Casino Royale - back in 2006. The extremely hard-packed surface is expected to suit Arnaud Tonus, although he has been suffering from a bacterial infection since his return from Indonesia. The 27-year-old likes the circuit, and hopes his physical condition is back to full-strength before the gates drop.

Only 3-points separates Tonus and his teammate Gautier Paulin in the Championship Standings. Tonus is fourth, 19-points shy of Seewer in second position, while Paulin is fifth. The '21' won the MX2 Grand Prix of Czech Republic at the Loket circuit back in 2009 and is looking forward to being back on European soil for the next four rounds of the MXGP Championship.

Renowned for his impeccable throttle control and having taken his YZ450FM to victory at the Czech Grand Prix in 2015, Romain Febvre looks forward to racing this weekend where he hopes his incredible ability to power-slide will land him on the top step of the podium once again. The '461' is third on the leader board when it comes to the number of laps led this season, but because has missed four rounds of the championship due to a broken ankle, he is currently tenth position in the MXGP Championship Standings.

After slipping to fourth-position in the MX2 Championship Standings after an unlucky run of events, Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2's Jago Geerts needs six points to reinstate his position inside the top-three. The 19-year-old Belgian will single handedly spearhead the teams efforts once again, as teammate Ben Watson is not yet fit to return.

Watson is hoping to be back on his YZ250F next week ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. His attendance in Lommel, Belgium, is yet to be decided.

Joining the premier classes this weekend, the third round of the WMX World Championship will also take place. No Fear Yamaha WMX's Nancy van de Ven is currently second in the Championship Standings, and is only 4-points from the leader, while Larissa Papenmeir is 3-points further adrift in third position.

In addition, the Grizzly Yamaha Junior Team's talented brothers Sascha and Lucas Coenen will line up their YZ85cc's for the EMX85 Championship Final. They will also be joined on the world-stage by smaller teammate, Jayson van Drunen who will line up on his YZ65 for the EMX65 Championship Final.

Jeremy Seewer

Position: 2nd MXGP Championship Standings, 365-points

I had a cool weekend off. I was a little bit sick from the flight, but it is ok now. I went out on the wave runner in the weekend and had some down time. I feel good going into Loket. It's a really special track, but I used to do quite well there even though it is not my favourite track. I just want to go out there and have fun and keep the ball rolling, stay consistent with my results.

Arnaud Tonus

Position: 4th MXGP Championship Standings, 346-points

I caught some kind of bacteria in Indonesia and got really sick, and even right now I am not 100%. Right now, my goal is to recover from this, and hopefully do some training this week. I should be better before the weekend, so that is positive. Loket is a really good track for me. With the momentum I have been carrying lately, I should be able to have a good race there. I will go there with the same mentality I have had all season, and that is to go out there and give it everything I have and hopefully my physical condition is back to 100%.

Gautier Paulin

Position: 5th MXGP Championship Standings, 343-points

I had a good weekend doing plenty of recovery training to get over the jetlag after Indonesia, and then into the sand at Lommel for some more intensive riding. It was good and the feeling is good on the bike. I look forward to going to Loket, it is a track I enjoy and a track I have won races at in the past. It's got a nice start-line and is a nice track for the public to watch the racing too. I am definitely looking forward to the weekend and to racing back in Europe.

Romain Febvre

Position: 10th MXGP Championship Standings, 243-points

I expect a good result of course. I like the track there, it is normally slippery, and I like that. The track Is a simple natural track, it's not really technical, but you need to be good at power sliding, and normally I am good at this. I spent all of last week in the sand to prepare for Lommel, so I am ready for Lommel, but in Loket I will be there and ready to fight for the win.