MX2’s title protagonists revved up for 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship opening spherical • Whole Motorbike

Monster Vitality Yamaha Manufacturing facility MX2 Staff Poised for Highly effective MX2 Title Marketing campaign

Monster Vitality Yamaha Manufacturing facility MX2’s title protagonists, Jago Geerts, Thibault Benistant and Rick Elzinga, are revved up for the opening spherical of the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship that can kick-off on the spectacular Patagonia Race Observe in Villa La Angostura, Argentina this weekend.

Aiming to increase Yamaha’s three-year win streak within the MX2 Producer’s World Championship, reigning World Champions, Yamaha, and the group will probably be on the hunt for particular person and Producer’s title success.

Lengthy-time Yamaha riders Geerts and Benistant arrive in Argentina with a mixed complete of 38 race wins, 17 Grand Prix wins and 49 podiums between them, making the dynamic duo agency title favourites in 2023.

Geerts, a confirmed title contender with three MX2 Championship silver medals and one bronze to his credit score, has reached the age restrict in MX2, 23, and is decided to win the title in his closing try. On paper, the Belgian is the person to beat; nonetheless, his title hopes won’t be and not using a problem from teammate Benistant, who has secured each the EMX125 and EMX250 championship titles throughout his ten-year tenure with Yamaha.

Coming off a powerful pre-season marketing campaign, Benistant, 21, enters his third season in MX2 excited to experience a totally new observe. The ‘198’ missed MXGP’s post-pandemic return to Argentina final 12 months via damage however has loved his first journey to South America to date and appears ahead to lining up as one in every of solely three riders with Grand Prix profitable expertise in 2023.

Additionally making the journey south of the equator for the primary time in his profession, Elzinga, 22, hopes to place his intense winter prep to the check. Like Benistant, Elzinga has labored his approach up the Yamaha Racing pyramid with podium finishes in EMX125, aboard a YZ125, and a stellar EMX250 title marketing campaign aboard a GYTR-kitted YZ250F wherein he celebrated 4 spherical wins, 5 race wins, and 6 podium finishes on his method to the crown final season.

Because the reigning European EMX250 Champion, Elzinga has earned his place on Yamaha’s works MX2 group for his first full season as a Grand Prix racer and has taken full benefit of Yamaha’s elite coaching program. Having put within the work all through the winter, each when it comes to bodily health and bike set-up, the Dutchman is worked up for the brand new problem and hopes that he can present his full potential all through the season.

This weekend, the Patagonia Race Observe, a venue that has hosted six MXGP rounds since its introduction in 2015, will even see the beginning of a brand new period with Championship Factors being awarded to the highest 10 finishers within the Qualifying Race on Saturday for the primary time ever. The rider that wins the Qualifying Race will earn 10 factors; second place will get 9 factors, third will get 8, and so forth.

The primary alternative for the riders to exit on observe will probably be on Saturday (eleventh March), beginning with MX2 Free Apply at 10:45 adopted by MXGP Free Apply at 11:15. Gates will drop for the factors paying Qualifying Races at 15:25 (MX2) and 16:10 (MXGP). Jago Geerts will even characteristic as a visitor on the free to view LIVE Studio Present on www.mxgp-tv.com at 12:00. All timings are native (GMT – 3).

Jago Geerts
Monster Vitality Yamaha Manufacturing facility MX2 Rider
“I began the low season sturdy with every thing going nicely, however I had a small set-back in January after I bought sick and couldn’t practice precisely how I needed to. Since then, I’ve achieved all that I can to get well sturdy, and I’m feeling fairly good now. Going into Argentina. I’m trying ahead to it. I received a race there final 12 months, so it’s a observe I like. My objective is to have a stable GP and construct from there.”

Thibault Benistant
Monster Vitality Yamaha Manufacturing facility MX2 Rider
“My winter was good. I began driving a bit late, however had it was nonetheless sufficient time. I really feel good on the bike, we did some testing and made just a few small setting adjustments, and this has labored nicely. I did some pre-season races that had been good, I loved it quite a bit. I really feel prepared. My objective for the primary race in Argentina just isn’t essentially to win, however to make a very good begin and struggle for the rostrum to place good factors on the board.”

Rick Elzinga
Monster Vitality Yamaha Manufacturing facility MX2 Rider
“The low season felt lengthy. I had two viruses final 12 months, so I needed to take two months off on the finish of final season to get well correctly. Once I may resume coaching, it was apparent to me that I used to be fairly far behind when it comes to bodily health in comparison with coaching companions, Thibault (Benistant), Maxime (Renaux) and Glenn (Coldenhoff). However I really feel lucky to have had Yamaha and the group behind me, pushing me onerous to get to the place I needs to be. Organising the YZ250FM was simple. I had a very good base arrange actually fast, so I felt good on the bike mainly right away. This weekend, I simply need to begin the season sturdy and use the time to regulate to the brand new format the place I should be stable for six periods on observe in a weekend. I’ll preserve these items in thoughts, however I additionally need to get a very good begin and run with the highest guys. I’ve solely seen Argentina from the sofa, so I can’t wait to experience right here for the primary time!”