Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team’s Thibault Benistant has placed 12th overall at the MXGP of Flanders, with Karlis Reisulis 13th and Rick Elzinga 15th.
The 15th round of the MX2 World Championship took place at the gruelling, deep sand track of Lommel, Belgium. Across the Grand Prix weekend, all three riders demonstrated exceptional speed and sand-riding skills, although Benistant and Elzinga were ruled out of Race One due to rare technical issues.
In Race Two, Benistant bounced back in style. Starting fifth, the Frenchman became part of a three-rider battle for a top-five finish early in the race before settling for a strong sixth-place result. On the day, Benistant placed 12th overall and maintains fifth place in the MX2 World Championship standings.
For Elzinga, the second race was almost as rewarding. For several laps, he battled for sixth with Benistant until he lost touch with his teammate as the race neared its conclusion. In the end, Elzinga crossed the finish line in seventh to secure 15th overall, with the Dutchman remaining 16th in the series standings.
Reisulis demonstrated impressive speed in Race One, as he charged from outside the top 30 to finish 10th. The Latvian looked set for a stronger result in the second race until a small crash dropped him downfield. By race end, Reisulis had clawed his way back to 17th, which resulted in 13th overall. He remains 12th in the championship with five rounds remaining.
Reigning WMX World Champion and current WMX series leader Lotte van Drunen enjoyed her wildcard entry in Lommel, delivering a 24-23 result for 27th overall. Wozniak MX Yamaha Racing Team’s EMX250 racer, Nicolai Skovberg, also competed in MX2 and placed eighth overall.
From the deep sand of Lommel, the MX2 World Championship continues at the hardpack, picturesque circuit of Uddevalla in Sweden on the weekend of August 16-17. The event marks round 16 of the 2025 campaign.
Click here for all the results from the MXGP of Flanders.
Thibault Benistant
12th MXGP of Flanders, 15-points
5th MX2 Championship Standings, 513-points
“It was a tough day. I didn’t feel too comfortable and never got the feeling or flow that’s needed to be up front here. I feel like I couldn’t show what I’m capable of, but I did what I could. I had a technical issue in Race One, and then in Race Two, I finished sixth. It’s not where I want to be, but I will stay positive and keep working.”
Karlis Reisulis
13th MXGP of Flanders, 15-points
12th MX2 Championship Standings, 274-points
“It wasn’t the best day, but not the worst either. My riding was okay, and I showed some good speed, but I made too many mistakes, which cost me a lot. It doesn’t look great on paper, but I know I need to eliminate these small mistakes to be closer to the results I want, so that’s what I’ll work on.”
Rick Elzinga
15th MXGP of Flanders, 14-points
16th MX2 Championship Standings, 210-points
“I was looking forward to this GP after my podium finish last year. I had a really good first race going until I had a problem with the bike, which was unfortunate. In Race Two I battled for fifth for a long time, but near the end I lost touch and finished seventh. It’s a shame about the first race, but the positive is that I felt strong and comfortable on the bike, especially on such a tough track.”
Photocredits – Fullspectrum Media
