The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP and MX2 teams are getting ready for a busy weekend as they head into the 15th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Lommel, Belgium. This round is particularly special as it brings the action close to home for the teams, with the event taking place just a short distance from their bases in Belgium and The Netherlands. Additionally, the Grand Prix of Flanders will feature the 12th and final round of the EMX125 Championship, where MJC Yamaha Official EMX125’s Mano Faure enters just 6 points behind the series leader.
Recognised as one of the most demanding circuits in the world, Lommel lies approximately 45 kilometers from the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team headquarters. Its deep, rough, and brutal sand challenges both man and machine, making it a true benchmark for performance.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Belgian ace, Jago Geerts, looks forward to racing in his own backyard, with Lommel located a mere 10 minutes from his family home in Balen. A natural sand specialist, Geerts has demonstrated consistent progress this season, including a hard-fought fourth-place finish in the Latvian sand earlier this year. Currently 12th in the standings, the 25-year-old aims to leverage his home track knowledge for a season-best result.
At the same time, teammates Calvin Vlaanderen and Maxime Renaux are set to do business at the MXGP of Flanders. Vlaanderen, in particular, is no stranger to the podium in Lommel – he has stood on the podium twice here in the past. As a proven titan of the sand, and a veteran of the class, Vlaanderen knows what to expect, and after a week focused on recovery and prep, he’s itching to unleash his signature sand-man flow.
Renaux, meanwhile, has done a day of riding in the sand this week, prepping for the track’s notorious physical beatdown. The Frenchman knows survival at ‘Lommelwood’ hinges on late-race stamina, so he’s zeroed in on closing out both motos strong. Vlaanderen arrives fifth in the championship standings, while Renaux is seventh, just 2-points shy of Andrea Bonacorsi in sixth.
In MX2, the Dutch-based Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 squad welcomes back Rick Elzinga, who missed the Czech GP due to a training incident. Almost recovered, Elzinga eyes a repeat of his 2024 Lommel podium.
At the same time, Thibault Benistant and Karlis Reisulis are keeping it straightforward as Lommel looms. Both MX2 talents are sticking to the basics – dialing in their sand settings and nailing starts. Nothing flash, just focused prep. Both line up determined to find that golden flow in the relentless sand and hold it tight through every session.
Last but not least, the MXGP of Flanders will see the reigning WMX World Champion and current WMX points leader Lotte van Drunen enter the fray as a wild card. As the only female in recent memory to line up against the men in MX2, van Drunen’s presence is a statement in itself. The 17-year-old Dutch star arrives with realistic expectations. She is just looking to bank experience and to learn from the fastest men in the world.
In the EMX ranks, all eyes will be on MJC Yamaha Official EMX125’s Mano Faure as the recently crowned Junior Motocross 125cc World Champion aims to add a European Championship EMX125 title to his list of accolades. The French teenager has electrified throughout his 2024 campaign with six race wins, six overall victories, and seven podium finishes, highlighting his explosive speed, but some moments of inconsistency have left him six points adrift of the championship lead. Nevertheless, the gritty youngster arrives determined to fight to the flag, where he hopes to wrap up an incredible season with his first EMX gold plate!
Calvin Vlaanderen
5th MXGP Championship Standings, 392-points
“I’ve spent this week getting my body sharp for the weekend. A lot of recovery focused training and rest. Lommel is always a tough GP. It’s one I always look forward to racing because I enjoy the sand and also the physical aspect of racing there. I’ve been on the podium there twice, and I would like to make it three times by the end of the weekend.”
Maxime Renaux
7th MXGP Championship Standings, 368-points
“Lommel is always tough. To prepare, I did one day of riding in the sand this week. It’s going to be a tough weekend of racing; the track is super heavy and really physically demanding. My goal for this weekend is to put together two strong races. We know that the last part of the race is always very important in Lommel, so finishing strong is what I am focusing on.”
Jago Geerts
12th MXGP Championship Standings, 237-points
“We did some extra testing this week, and for the rest, I’ve just been taking it easy to fully recover for the weekend. I always love riding in the sand, and Lommel is my home track, so it’s one of the most fun GP’s for me. I have many good memories from Lommel. I have won there a lot throughout my career, so I love it. Going into this weekend, I want to keep the same flow I’ve had recently. I can always push a bit extra in Lommel, so it should be a good weekend.”
Thibault Benistant
5th MX2 Championship Standings, 492-points
“Lommel is a really tough GP, it’s one of the toughest on the calendar, but I look forward to racing there and to be back in the sand. I know that I am ready physically, and that I can ride sand, so I just hope to find my flow and feeling on the bike, and then we should be in for a good weekend.”
Karlis Reisulis
12th MX2 Championship Standings, 259-points
“Nothing has changed going into Lommel, I’m just doing all the usual stuff, keeping my body fresh, eating correctly, and sand training. I like racing there. Deep sand races make the calendar more interesting because it takes a different approach for every rider. Last year I scored my first top five finish in MX2 there, so that is motivation going in. I want to find a good flow and keep it through the whole weekend.”
Rick Elzinga
16th MX2 Championship Standings, 193-points
“I’m ready. I’ve just been focusing on my physical training because I have not been able to ride because of my finger injury. I love Lommel, I finished second overall there last year and have had multiple podiums in EMX, so I’m looking forward to it. My goal is to try and find a setup that works for me and race with the same fire that I had last year.”
