After the deep sand in Finland the riders faced a hard, old-school track this weekend in the Czech Republic. In Loket the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP riders Calvin Vlaanderen (7th) and Jago Geerts (8th) secured a spot in the top 10. Maxime Renaux – who made his comeback – started strong with a sixth place in the first moto, but was sidelined in the second moto, when another rider hit him.
Renaux: “A tough day. My start was not so good in the first moto and I could not find the good rhythm on this track. So that sixth place was not so bad. And then that second moto… Well, there was a guy who went straight on instead of taking the turn. He just knocked me over. I felt completely shattered and also had a problem with the rear brake. I tried to continue, but it was no use.”
Vlaanderen: “I wanted more than a seventh place this weekend. I had the feeling that I had the speed to achieve a better result. I’m disappointed I wasn’t able to execute my plan. Especially the first moto was disappointing: crash in the first lap, comeback and then crash again. It was a constant struggle. The second moto was much better. After a good start I was immediately fifth behind Gifting. I kept on pushing but I couldn’t find a spot to pass him.”
Geerts: “I had a poor start in the first moto and didn’t feel comfortable. That being said, a top-10 spot is quite good. In the second moto my start was much better and I was riding in seventh position for a long time. Until I twisted my ankle again at the end. I was forced to slow down and Fernandez passed me. Eighth overall in the GP: not bad, but it definitely can be better.”
