Geerts on home support in Lommel: I got goosebumps!
PR- The talented Jago Geerts showed his abilities again in front of his home crowd at the Grand Prix of Belgium, in Lommel. The 18-year-old rookie put in a hair-raising performance in the second moto, finishing second. Unfortunately, it was just not enough for a spot on the overall podium after his seventh place in the first moto. Ben Watson didn’t meet his expectations and finished eighth (11+5), Anthony Rodriguez came home in 20th position (17+DNF).
Watson had a great start in the second heat, just behind Prado and Olsen. But the Briton couldn’t keep up the pace in the beginning and dropped four places in only one lap. Geerts was going the opposite direction: from ninth in the first corner to fourth place in only five laps. Meanwhile, Rodriguez had a small crash. Unfortunately, his bike was hit by another rider and was badly damaged. Game over.
193 Jago Geerts
4th overall
“That second moto was amazing. I was having a lot of fun on the bike. The spectators were going crazy. I could really hear them shout. I got goosebumps. Of course it’s a pity that I missed the podium by only two points. Two points which I threw away in the first moto, with that crash in the end. But I can’t complain. That second moto was so nice. I passed all those great sand riders. This is another nice chapter this season.”
#919 Ben Watson
8th overall
“A frustrating weekend. I didn’t feel well just before the first race. Ik felt like jelly. I didn’t have strength during the whole race and was making a lot of mistakes. When I look back, I think it was more of a mental problem. I’ve put too much pressure on myself. I tried to forget everything between both motos. But the first minutes of my second moto were also terrible. I dropped from 3rd to 7th place. Fortunately, I found my rhythm just in time and could move up to 5th place.”
#127 Anthony Rodriguez
20th overall
“A disappointing Grand Prix. I had a terrible start in the first moto and had a lot of difficulties to pass other riders. Still, I managed to move up to 15th position. But then I crashed. A big crash on the big jump. Fortunately, I didn’t get injured. The second moto was a short one. I made a stupid mistake in the third lap and went down. Not a big crash, but my bike got hit by another rider and was badly damaged. It was impossible to continue.”
Marnicq Bervoets
Team manager
“What a performance of Geerts. That kid keeps on surprising me. His first moto was good, his second outstanding. He was flying over the circuit. With a lot confidence, physically very strong and so smooth. One word: top! It’s a pity that he wasn’t rewarded with an overall podium. One thing is for sure: Jago has a bright future in front of him. Watson wasn’t at his normal level this weekend. He didn’t feel good, especially mentally. But he reacted well in the second moto.”