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Printed on 9 March 2023
Drum roll, as a result of the beginning of the FIM World Championship is simply across the nook. This weekend marks the opening race in Villa La Angostura, Argentina. A brand new season with new alternatives, however the purpose stays the identical for the Monster Vitality Yamaha Manufacturing unit MX2 Staff. “We wish to recapture the world title,” says staff proprietor Hans Corvers. With Jago Geerts (22) and Thibault Benistant (20), the Belgian staff counts two title contenders. A duo that will likely be strengthened by EMX250 champion Rick Elzinga (21).
illa La Angostura is situated within the coronary heart of Patagonia and is thought for its picturesque panorama – with stunning forests and lakes – on the foot of the Andes. In the course of that gorgeous nature, lies the Patagonia Race Monitor. A spectacular and quick monitor, with a darkish volcanic floor, that pulls large crowds yearly. “A really enthusiastic crowd too,” says staff boss Hans Corvers. “Briefly: it’s a fantastic place to begin the World Championship.”
Keen
Second (Geerts) and fifth (Benistant) within the World Championship classification, seven GP wins, 22 podium finishes and the producers’ world title: 2022 was a profitable yr for the Monster Vitality Yamaha Manufacturing unit MX2 Staff. Solely the icing on the cake – the person world title – was lacking. “We misplaced the title by 4 factors. That damage. Geerts didn’t deserve that both. However sports activities will be exhausting,” Corvers says. “So our purpose is clearer this yr: recapture the world title. Simpler mentioned than carried out, in fact. Vialle could have left for the USA, however the opposition has not diminished.”
Geerts – who enters his closing season in MX2 – begins as the highest favourite, however the Monster Vitality Yamaha Manufacturing unit MX2 Staff has one other iron within the hearth with Benistant. “I’ve by no means seen Thibault as keen as this yr,” Corvers says. The staff was additionally expanded from two to 3 riders this yr: Dutchman Rick Elzinga – European champion EMX250 in 2022 – joined the staff. Corvers: “Rick could develop within the shadow of the opposite two riders. Though he can present a shock often.”
Additional factors on Saturday
So the bar is about excessive. Though Corvers stays very lifelike relating to the opening race in Argentina. “Our riders should not 100% match but. Rick was affected by a virus final season and continues to be on his approach to his greatest stage. Jago and Thibault have each been sick not too long ago, which has set them again a bit. So, I’m not anticipating a GP win in Argentina instantly. The season is lengthy and grueling. A podium end could be good to begin with in Argentina. From the third Grand Prix, in Switzerland, we should have the ability to compete for victory.”
A notable novelty this season: on Saturday, championship poinst will be earned within the qualifying race. Ten factors for the winner, 9 for the second and so forth. Meaning there are an additional 190 factors to be earned this season. So much more pleasure…
#93 Jago Geerts
2nd in MX2 in 2022
“My preparation was going completely, till I received sick in February. A flu that brought on me hassle for 3 weeks. I might barely prepare and likewise needed to withdraw from two races. Not excellent. But when it has to occur anyway, higher to be ailing throughout preparation than throughout the season. Bodily, I’m not but in prime type, and I additionally miss race rhythm. Then once more, I shouldn’t be at prime stage proper now. The season could be very lengthy, it is usually necessary which you can nonetheless develop throughout the yr. My purpose? After ending second thrice, it appears clear to me: take the world title. A very powerful lesson I discovered final yr: be very common. That’s the important thing to success.”
#198 Thibault Benistant
fifth in MX2 in 2022
“I used to be solely in a position to begin driving the bike on the finish of December, as a result of I had a shoulder surgical procedure three weeks after the final Grand Prix. Nonetheless, the preparation went high quality. The shoulder is ideal once more, bodily I’m on monitor and so far as the bike is anxious we’ve got been in a position to take a couple of steps ahead once more. I rode three preseason races, and so they had been greater than strong. The one draw back: I used to be a sick final week. So, I don’t know the way match I will likely be this weekend. I’m not going to place pointless strain on myself. The season continues to be lengthy. My purpose is obvious although: I wish to end within the prime three this yr and compete for the world title.”
#44 Rick Elzinga
1st in EMX250 in 2022
“I used to be affected by the Epstein-Barr virus final yr and was a wreck on the finish the season. So I needed to take two months off to get well correctly. I’m nonetheless not at my greatest health stage but, however it’s getting higher and higher. I’m additionally feeling excellent on the YZ250FM. My purpose this season? To make progress. I wish to begin on the entrance as typically as attainable after which we’ll see. Don’t underestimate the step from the European championship to the world championship. The pace is greater on the planet championship, you recognize. And the races additionally final 5 minutes longer. That’s one thing. However, it’s a very good problem.”
Phrases: Press Launch
Picture: Full Spectrum Media/Yamaha Racing
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