Yamaha Riders Primed for Penultimate MXGP Round in Turkey

03-09-2019

Yamaha Riders Primed for Penultimate MXGP Round in Turkey

With two rounds, four races and 100-points left to race for, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP's Jeremy Seewer and Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP's duo of Gautier Paulin and Arnaud Tonus, are off to Afyon, Turkey, for the penultimate round of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship.

The dust is starting to settle on the MXGP and MX2 championships, but as always in motorsport, it is never over until the final checkered flag is waved. Going into this weekend, the 17thround of 18, Seewer has a 43-point advantage over Paulin in the battle to be Vice World Champion. Both riders have contrasting opinions about the circuit in Afyon. Paulin enjoys everything about it, from the wide and jumpy layout to the grippy compound of the dirt, whereas Seewer tends to prefer classic old-school tracks as opposed to the more modern man-made ones, but nevertheless, he enjoys riding there and is looking forward to putting his YZ450FM on the box for a sixth time this season.

For Tonus, the Afyon circuit, which made its MXGP calendar debut last year, will pose an all new challenge. The 28-year-old Swiss rider has never seen the track as he was sidelined by a double shoulder reconstruction for the entire season last year, but he has done his homework and has looked at it online and believes that the track layout and surface will suit his riding style. He is currently fifth in the MXGP Championship Standings, 3-points shy of the rider in fourth.

Currently third in the MX2 World Championship Standings, Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2's Jago Geerts is fully focused on securing the bronze medal. With two rounds remaining, the 19-year-old Belgian holds a slender 7-point advantage over the rider in fourth.

Unfortunately, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP's Romain Febvre, who sustained a broken femur at the most recent round in Sweden, will miss the remainder of the 2019 season, as will Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2's Ben Watson who suffered a broken wrist at the MXGP of Italy, in Imola, in the middle of August.

While the premier classes are set to contest their penultimate rounds, the women of the FIM Women's Motocross World Championship will line up for the season finale in Turkey. After four rounds, Yamaha Germany's Larissa Papenmeier is currently second position in the WMX Championship Classification, she trails the championship leader by 23-points, and holds a 3-point advantage over fellow YZ250F rider No Fear Yamaha WMX's Nancy van de Ven.

Jeremy Seewer

Position: 2nd MXGP Championship Standings, 481-points

Turkey is a place that we know, so we know what to expect. It's not my favorite place, it is one of these newer man-made tracks, but it is fun and I have done well there in the past. I will go there with a smile on my face and keep pushing to be on the podium. I am trying to not think about the championship too much just yet. It's hard with just two races to go but we need to keep going and having fun.

Gautier Paulin

Position: 3rd MXGP Championship Standings, 440-points

Second to last round of the world series, this season has gone quick, just as it does most years. Going to Turkey, it's a nice track with a lot of jumps and wave sections which I love. The ground is really nice and the atmosphere is amazing there with the hotels being so close to the venue. I can't wait to be there. I enjoyed it out there last year, so I am ready to enjoy it again!

Arnaud Tonus

Position: 5th MXGP Championship Standings, 343-points

I've never been to Turkey, so it's a new track for me and something new to discover. I have looked at it on TV and it looks pretty cool. It looks like the type of track that will suit me with lots of jumps and stuff. Two rounds to go, two more chances for good results. I feel like I have been struggling to put it together lately, so I will be out for revenge once again. I will enjoy the last two rounds, this season has gone crazy fast, it's hard to believe there is only two rounds to go.