Watson, Geerts and Brylyakov talk Valkenswaard
PR – Almost spring, but temperatures below zero, a biting wind and even snow. No, round two of the world championship didn’t take place in the Arctic, but in Valkenswaard.
The riders had to overcome the freezing cold and a brutal track.
Jago Geerts, the youngest rider in the Kemea Yamaha Team, felt pretty well in
those circumstances. The former World and European junior champion was keen to show his talent at the Eurocircuit. In the first moto he finished fourth after a nice battle with toprider Thomas Kjer Olsen. Unfortunately, his chances for a great overall results were ruined in the start of moto two. Geerts got hit by another rider, crashed and had to fight back from 34th position. And he did fight back! He gained 21 positions, finishing 13th at moto 2. Seventh overall, his best result ever.
Ben Watson rode a solid Grand Prix, considering his poor starts all weekend long. In the first moto the Brit came back from 29th to 10th position. In the second moto his start was a bit better (14th) and he could move up to 7th place. And that resulted in an 8th place overall.
Like Watson, Vsevolod Brylyakov had a difficult weekend at the track were he
picked up a severe shoulder injury last year. The Russian also struggled with his
starts, but could move up some places in both heats, finishing 11th overall
(12+12).
The Kemea Yamaha riders don’t have a lot of time to recover from this arctic race. Next weekend they travel to Redsand in Spain, for the third Grand Prix of theseason. Hopefully, a sunny race this time..
Geerts rode fantastic in Valkenswaard. Pic: CDS
#18 Vsevolod Brylyakov
11th overall
“A tough race, a tough weekend. Frosty cold, snow, a brutal track: those circumstances are probably the worst for my shoulder. In every single session, it took me a long time to find the good rhythm. In general this GP was a disappointment for me. On the other hand, there were also a few positive points: I go home safe and sound, and I collected some important point for the championship. The only thing I can do, is keep working hard.”
#193 Jago Geerts
7th overall
“I felt very good… But the crash in the start of the second moto ruined a lot. I got hit by somebody and went down. I had to start from the last position, making up places round by round. From 34th to 13th place: that’s not so bad, I think. But who knows what could have been possible without that crash? Particularly after my first moto (fourth place). Unfortunately, I couldn’t repeat that. But I can’t complain. My riding was pretty good and I don’t focus on results yet. 2018 is a year of learning.”
#919 Ben Watson
8th place overall
“It was a difficult Grand Prix. I struggled with my starts all weekend long with and that made my job a lot tougher. I had to come from the back, each time again. Not so easy with this cold weather and on this very demanding track. I had to work very hard in both motos. The riding itself was pretty good. I managed to finish in the top 10 twice. Good for eight place overall. That’s the positive news of the weekend.”
Marnicq Bervoets
Team manager
“It was a pleasure to see Geerts racing this weekend. So smart, so relaxed. Jago keeps on surprising me, week after week. He started strong in Argentina and he confirmed here in Valkenswaard. He was really impressive. It’s a pity that he was involved in that crash atthe start of the second moto. Otherwise, he would have finished in the top five. Watson was solid, not super. His starts were his biggest problem all weekend long. With good starts Ben is capable to battle with guys like Olsen. Brylyakov had a tough weekend. But he scored some point in the championship and left Valkenswaard injury free. He will improve but we have to be patient after his long absence because of his injury.”
Words: Kemea Yamaha
