Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jed Beaton is keeping his calm in his last bid to become Australia’s first MX2 world champion. The 23-year-old has scored 7th, 12th and 7th in the first three rounds of the season and sits 10th in the standings. The Husqvarna factory rider suffered with a collision in the first moto at Matterley Basin that forced a DNF and from which he was lucky to avoid injury.
“Matterley didn’t go to plan at all and it was such a shame because I really like that track and it was a good chance to get some points,” he reflected after the Grand Prix of Italy at Maggiora last Sunday. “I felt the same about today but it was one week after a big hit. I’m just really looking forward to getting two weeks [training] under my belt. It’s only just the beginning I feel that if I can be solid for three rounds then I will be right back in it. That’s my plan for now.”
Beaton’s age means 2021 is his final chance to conquer MX2 after podium finishes, a first moto win in 2020 and championship slot of 4th. He hasn’t been able to show the same turn of pace as Tom Vialle, Maxime Renaux, Thibault Benistant and Mattia Guadagnini who have taken the chequered flags this season so far. “Considering the circumstances [the crash in the UK] I have been missing a bit, and the other guys are obviously strong now but there is a long way to go and by the end it could be the other way around,” he said. “I’m not too stressed. Most importantly today I had two solid starts and that’s not normally my forté. I just didn’t feel myself in the motos and we’ll need to work on that.”
Beaton not only has to keep an eye on the championship and his rivals – red plate holder Guadagnini is already 46 points ahead – but also his prospects for 2022 and the obligatory move to the MXGP division if he decides to remain in the world championship.
Words: Adam Wheeler
Pic: Shot by Bavo
