Factory Yamaha MX2 team ready for 2023 season: Want to recapture world title

Drum roll, because the start of the FIM World Championship is just around the corner. This weekend marks the opening race in Villa La Angostura, Argentina. A new season with new opportunities, but the goal remains the same for the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team. “We want to recapture the world title,” says team owner Hans Corvers. With Jago Geerts (22) and Thibault Benistant (20), the Belgian team counts two title contenders. A duo that will be strengthened by EMX250 champion Rick Elzinga (21).

illa La Angostura is located in the heart of Patagonia and is known for its picturesque landscape – with beautiful forests and lakes – at the foot of the Andes. In the middle of that stunning nature, lies the Patagonia Race Track. A spectacular and fast track, with a dark volcanic surface, that attracts big crowds every year. “A very enthusiastic crowd too,” says team boss Hans Corvers. “In short: it’s a great place to start the World Championship.”

Eager
Second (Geerts) and fifth (Benistant) in the World Championship classification, seven GP wins, 22 podium finishes and the manufacturers’ world title: 2022 was a successful year for the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team. Only the icing on the cake – the individual world title – was missing. “We lost the title by four points. That hurt. Geerts didn’t deserve that either. But sports can be hard,” Corvers says. “So our goal is clearer this year: recapture the world title. Easier said than done, of course. Vialle may have left for the USA, but the opposition has not diminished.”
Geerts – who enters his final season in MX2 – starts as the top favorite, but the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 Team has another iron in the fire with Benistant. “I’ve never seen Thibault as eager as this year,” Corvers says. The team was also expanded from two to three riders this year: Dutchman Rick Elzinga – European champion EMX250 in 2022 – joined the team. Corvers: “Rick may develop in the shadow of the other two riders. Although he can provide a surprise occasionally.”

Extra points on Saturday
So the bar is set high. Although Corvers remains very realistic when it comes to the opening race in Argentina. “Our riders are not one hundred percent fit yet. Rick was affected by a virus last season and is still on his way to his best level. Jago and Thibault have both been sick recently, which has set them back a bit. So, I’m not expecting a GP win in Argentina right away. The season is long and grueling. A podium finish would be nice to start with in Argentina. From the third Grand Prix, in Switzerland, we must be able to compete for victory.”
A notable novelty this season: on Saturday, championship poinst can be earned in the qualifying race. Ten points for the winner, nine for the second and so on. That means there are an extra 190 points to be earned this season. So even more excitement…

#93 Jago Geerts
2nd in MX2 in 2022

“My preparation was going perfectly, until I got sick in February. A flu that caused me trouble for three weeks. I could barely train and also had to withdraw from two races. Not ideal. But if it has to happen anyway, better to be ill during preparation than during the season. Physically, I am not yet in top form, and I also miss race rhythm. Then again, I shouldn’t be at top level right now. The season is very long, it is also important that you can still grow during the year. My goal? After finishing second three times, it seems clear to me: take the world title. The most important lesson I learned last year: be very regular. That’s the key to success.”

#198 Thibault Benistant
5th in MX2 in 2022

“I was only able to start riding the bike at the end of December, because I had a shoulder surgery three weeks after the last Grand Prix. Still, the preparation went fine. The shoulder is perfect again, physically I’m on track and as far as the bike is concerned we have been able to take a few steps forward again. I rode three preseason races, and they were more than solid. The only downside: I was a sick last week. So, I don’t know how fit I will be this weekend. I’m not going to put unnecessary pressure on myself. The season is still long. My goal is clear though: I want to finish in the top three this year and compete for the world title.”

#44 Rick Elzinga
1st in EMX250 in 2022

“I was suffering from the Epstein-Barr virus last year and was a wreck at the end the season. So I had to take two months off to recover properly. I’m still not at my best fitness level yet, but it’s getting better and better. I’m also feeling very good on the YZ250FM. My goal this season? To make progress. I want to start at the front as often as possible and then we’ll see. Don’t underestimate the step from the European championship to the world championship. The speed is higher in the world championship, you know. And the races also last five minutes longer. That’s something. But, it is a very nice challenge.”

Words: Press Release

Image: Full Spectrum Media/Yamaha Racing