Jago Geerts is continuing to find his feet in the highly competitive MXGP class. After a challenging rookie season plagued by injury, the Belgian has been steadily building momentum in 2025, showing improved form at recent rounds. At Loket, a track far removed from his preferred deep sand, Geerts delivered a pair of consistent motos to secure eighth overall and continue his upward trend. We caught up with the former MX2 star to discuss his progress, adapting to MXGP, his work with Steve Ramon, and his goals for the rest of the season – including Lommel, a possible selection for the Motocross of Nations, and beyond.
GateDrop: Jago, Loket, hard pack but 8th overall, a pretty solid weekend, maybe nothing totally spectacular but pretty solid, are you happy with the progress – it’s better than last year (laughs)?
Geerts: Yeah, they were pretty solid races so it was quite a good weekend, I twisted my ankle a bit again in the second race…
GateDrop: Is it okay?
Geerts: Yeah, it is and for the rest everything is fine.
GateDrop: What was the track like? it was under water yesterday for the 65’s bless them but it was dusty already for the first moto, I think they’ve done a good job with the track this weekend…
Geerts: Yeah, it always dries fast here and actually the track was perfect for both motos so that was nice, it was quite rough also. For sure the second moto, think the speed was much lower so that was better than the first.
GateDrop: I mean it’s not a typical deep sand track where you excel, do you still enjoy these conditions?
Geerts: Yeah, for sure, I enjoy also riding on the hard pack so it’s not only the sand but for sure I’m looking forward also to the next weekend.
GateDrop: Just on the last few GP’s, I feel like you’ve been making a bit of progress after a difficult start to the season, are you happy with the direction you’re going?
Geerts: Yeah, for sure, I think every GP is going a bit better and better, also last weekend in Finland I had fifth place in the qualifying race and a sixth place in the second race so actually the results are getting better. I’m feeling better on the bike so that’s good and I think we just have to keep improving.
GateDrop: What do you think your missing to getting in the top five consistently, a bit more bike time, a bit more experience, what do you think?
Geerts: I think I’m quite close now to the top five, I just need to keep training and try to get better. For sure the starts are important, I think if you can start in the top five it makes a big difference.
GateDrop: How are you finding MXGP, I mean you had a really good long career in MX2, obviously last year was a disaster, but how are you finding it this year, making the step up, is it a big step?
Geerts: It’s a bit difficult to say because I was coming of the MX2 with a lot of momentum and a good feeling and then I had a big injury so I think it would have been a different story if I didn’t have the injury… But now I’m enjoying it, the field is deeper than in the MX2 World Championship. If you have a bad start, it’s difficult to get in the top ten so you need to work on the details and try to execute everything perfect in the race.
GateDrop: And I mean throughout your whole career you’ve always been a winner, EMX, MX2, you’ve never really been in this position before, battling between 6th to 10th, how are you finding that, is it a bit frustrating?
Geerts: Yeah, for sure it’s a bit frustrating but I think I need to just try my best and fight for every position like I’m doing now and then keep improving. Soon I can maybe fight again for the top five positions and then after that some wins again, so we go step by step.
GateDrop: I think some people forget but you’ve won 24 GP overall wins, only three riders in the paddock have won more, I think some people forget that sometimes, but at the same time you’re quite far away maybe from winning in MXGP, but I’m sure that’s where you want to get to eventually?
Geerts: Yeah for sure, that’s the plan – to get back on the podium and win again. I think if we keep improving and also keep improving the bike and make me feel really comfortable I think that we can get there.
GateDrop: You’ve been working with Steve Ramon again, what’s it been like having him in your corner after working with him in MX2, has it been nice and what was it like being away from him, having the time apart from him?
Geerts: It’s really good now, we’ve been working for eight or nine years together and we know each other really well. We know each other really well and he knows exactly what he has to say to me before the race and everything, it’s really fun working together. Obviously last year I didn’t have a coach during the season but also that I didn’t ride so much so I can’t say much about that.
GateDrop: Your home GP next weekend, what’s the plan between now and the GP of Lommel and are you buzzing for some big bumps?
Geerts: Yeah for sure, I have to test a few things on the bike this weekend and just take a bit of extra rest to get really fit for Lommel because it will be a really tough GP.
GateDrop: The Belgian MXoN team, is that something you are thinking about? The last time you rode the Nations in America you were unbelievable so I’m sure you’d love to go, is that something you’re thinking about?
Geerts: I would love to go, it’s really fun riding in America and it’s a big difference, the tracks are much bigger and also better most of the time so it would be nice if I can ride it.
GateDrop: Just on your future, obviously Factory Yamaha, there’s a lot of speculation about what’s happening there next year, do you know if there’s a possibility you can stay and if not is that stressful… you’re out there riding for your future?
Geerts: We are talking for the next year but I cannot say much at the moment but I think we just have to try to get good results in the next few GP’s and then it will be sorted soon.
GateDrop: Is it looking good for you remaining at the GP’s though, you’re not thinking of going to America like everybody else or anything like that?
Geerts: No, I think if I can, I would prefer to stay in the MXGP World Championship for a few more years.
