Yamaha MXGP riders head to Arco
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer and Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP’s duo of Gautier Paulin and Arnaud Tonus are set to take on the last of three back-to-back Grands Prix this weekend at the compact and stony clay circuit of Pietramurata in Italy. The event will mark the fourth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
It was at the MXGP of Trentino back in 2014 that a young Jeremy Seewer started to gain momentum in the MX2 class. The Swiss talent recorded his first ever top-five race finish as a ‘pro rider’ at the hard-packed circuit and that result turned out to be the first of many with the ’91’ being crowned MX2 vice World Champion in 2016 and 2017.
Seewer suffered a serious lung infection at the start of this year, but as his fitness returns his results are improving and he is motivated going into the fourth round of the MXGP series. The 24 year-old is currently seventh position in the Championship Classification.
There have been six MXGP races so far this season. Gautier Paulin has finished inside the top-three in three of them. He celebrated the second round of the season from the podium and was right on track for his second consecutive podium finish at the MXGP of The Netherlands last weekend until an unexpected crash spoiled his chances. He finished thirteenth in that race for eighth overall and was nudged back to fourth in the MXGP Championship Standings. The Frenchman needs 1-point on Clement Desalle to reclaim third position in the championship, and 23-points on Tim Gajser to move into second-place.
In motocross racing, nothing is promised and Paulin knows that with 16 rounds remaining, there is still a lot to play for. The 29 year-old remains focused on improving his own personal settings on his YZ450F as he chases his first Grand Prix victory of 2019.
Arnaud Tonus has had a frustrating start to the year, but all is not lost. Although the 27 year-old is still not 100% after the crashes he has had at the opening rounds, he is feeling positive ahead of the MXGP of Trentino as he lines up with memories of his first ever MXGP class podium finish, which he achieved with the Wilvo team on a YZ450F back in 2017.
Unfortunately, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Romain Febvre will not be attendance as he continues to rehabilitate his broken ankle. An update on his progression will be posted after his next visit to the orthopaedic unit.
Confidence is high under the Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2 awning following Jago Geerts’ mind-blowing ride in the final race of the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend. The 18-year-old star impressed as he stole second-place from the championship leader less than 50m from the finish line and gave the team their first taste of champagne this season. His podium appearance was the second of his blossoming career with his first being at the MXGP of Latvia in May last year.
Geerts has moved up to seventh-place in the MX2 Championship Standings and is determined to carry that same momentum into the MXGP of Trentino this weekend.
Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2’s Ben Watson would say he is not a ‘hard-pack rider’, although some of his best results have been on clay tracks. Either way, the 21-year-old aims to build on his current fifth place in the championship chase.
Yamaha’s youth teams SDM Corse Yamaha EMX250 and MJC Yamaha EMX125 will also be parked inside the paddock at the MXGP of Trentino. Both teams will be contesting the second rounds of their respective series’.
Jeremy Seewer
7th MXGP Championship, 78-points
“I have really good memories from Arco. Some of my first GP races and ‘results’ were there. I always love that place with a good atmosphere and lots of Swiss fans as it is not too far from Switzerland. It’s quite a tough track on a 450cc; I found it quite difficult last year so I hope it will be better this year. Starts are key and I hope I can get a good start and deliver a good result.”
Gautier Paulin
4th MXGP Championship, 102-points
“I only have good thoughts going into Trentino this weekend. I am 100% healthy and this is a good point. We have put in a solid week of training and a small test to fix some small things on the bike so that we are 100% in Arco. I really like the track in Arco and the atmosphere with the Italian fans. The racing is always great, I look forward to go there fully charged.”
Arnaud Tonus
15th MXGP Championship, 35-points
“Looking to Arco, it’s for sure a great place for me! I love the energy there and the track, I have always had a good experience there and I think it will be a good rebound after last weekend. I am looking forward to that race and hoping for some redemption.”
Words and pic: Yamaha
