Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s new signing, Andrea Bonacorsi, impressed in his MXGP debut with a stunning sixth overall in the deep mud of Agueda, Portugal. Teammate Calvin Vlaanderen delivered mixed results but maintains seventh in the Championship Standings as the series moves on from round five.
Showing exceptional mud-riding skills around the Agueda circuit, which had been battered with heavy rain, ‘Bona’ was certainly at one with his new Yamaha YZ450FM. Throughout the opening race, the Italian battled competently inside the top 10 and ran as high as fifth for a couple of laps before being passed by Brian Bogers. Nevertheless, Andrea’s sixth-place finish was an exceptional debut result.
After starting outside the top 10 in Race Two, the Italian made an incredible five passes on lap two to move into seventh. Maintaining an impressive pace despite the rapidly deteriorating race track, the 132 held sixth for most of the race before a couple of mistakes in the closing stages dropped Andrea to eighth at the finish. Ultimately placing sixth overall, it was certainly an amazing MXGP debut for the talented young racer.
Calvin Vlaanderen was confident of delivering a strong showing after qualifying fourth on Saturday. Unfortunately, while running comfortably inside the top 10 in Race One with the track conditions at their worst, a rare technical issue relegated him to 20th. Bouncing back in Race Two, Vlaanderen placed ninth for 15th overall. Most importantly, Calvin remains seventh in the Championship Standings.
Following a mixed weekend for the team, the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship continues next weekend in Spain with the MXGP of Galicia.
Calvin Vlaanderen
15th MXGP of Portugal, 13-points
7th MXGP Championship Standings, 151-points
“This was not my best weekend. Although it went very well on Saturday. A good race with a nice position at the starting gate for Sunday. In the first moto everything went well, I was in sixth position when I was forced to withdraw due to a mechanical problem. That sucked. In the second moto I was riding around P10 all the time. I mainly tried to save the bike and I didn’t want to get injured. I didn’t like this. It was more enduro than motocross. Now I want to recover well and then go for it in Spain next week.”
Andrea Bonacorsi
6th MXGP of Portugal, 28-points
21st MXGP Championship Standings, 28-points
“A sixth place in my rookie MXGP race, I wouldn’t have dared to dream that. But after the race I can say that it could even have been better. A few laps before the end of the second moto I was virtually fourth in the GP. Well yeah, I can’t complain. This was not the easiest track to switch from MX2 to MXGP. The mud and the deep ruts were very tricky. To finish sixth is awesome. If I was nervous? A bit on Saturday. But on Sunday the nerves were completely gone, because I feel a lot more comfortable on the 450 than on the 250. And what now? Learn a lot, improve and continue to enjoy.”
