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MXGP World Championship

Chatter Box: Ben Watson

Ben Watson reflects on Semarang.

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Ben Watson finished fourth overall yet again at the Grand Prix of Asia and continues to impress in his first season beneath the Kemea Yamaha awning. The fact that Watson was not necessarily pleased with that result proves just how far he has come in a short space of time. That is also discussed in this exclusive interview from round thirteen, which was initially posted as a post-race podcast elsewhere on MX Vice.

MX Vice: Solid weekend. Moto scores were not bad, but you missed the podium and you were set up quite nicely for that after the first race.

Ben Watson: Yeah. To be honest I am not thinking about a podium at all, because I do not deserve it this weekend from my riding side of it. I did all I could on what I thought was a really dangerous track. The track itself was not dangerous, just the preparation. They watered the track so heavily on only the takeoffs and the landings. The people who prepped the track… I do not think they know what motocross is. That is why, unfortunately, my teammate Jago [Geerts] had to miss the second race, because he just went up the takeoff on the sighting lap, had a huge crash and he could not ride. It is just dangerous for everybody. That was, for me, why I was so cautious this weekend.

I am not that rider who can just turn my head off and go balls out no matter the conditions. Unfortunately, I was off the pace this weekend. I was quite lucky with my results. I say lucky, but I do not know if it was lucky or if it was smart. I took it down a notch from what I would normally want to race at and I did not make any mistakes or crashes. I crashed in the first race, but it was so easily done. My position was third, because it was obviously not a big crash. [Thomas] Covington had a big crash. [Calvin] Vlaanderen crashed on the first lap. Everybody was crashing. I just kind of tried to stay on and somehow I managed third in the first race.

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Ben Watson now trails Thomas Kjer Olsen by just ten points.

Monster Energy Media/Ray Archer

Obviously, you saw the track conditions on the sighting lap before the second race. I guess maybe you would have heard what happened to Geerts before you went out too? Does that stuff kind of get in your head? I saw your mechanic put “no thinking” on the pit board, so did you already have it in your head that it would be a bit difficult or sketchy to push?

Exactly, yeah. Jago crashed on the finish jump, so it was directly in front of the pits and I could see him there. I knew exactly what happened, because there was literally water streaks running down the takeoff and it was blue groove there. The ground is so hard and it is the most dangerous thing there is to just water it so heavily. It is a lot safer for there to be a little bit of dust just on the takeoff. Fair enough if they want to water the actual track a lot, but the takeoffs and landings should never be watered as heavily as they were. That is not a complaint. I was not strong enough in those conditions. The result I got… I do not feel like I deserve it really, but I just stayed consistent and I got a 3-5 scorecard.

Obviously practice was okay. I think you were fifth and sixth every time. The first moto when you were behind Pauls [Jonass], I think he fell or got caught up or something and ended up right in front of you. I thought your pace was actually quite good. It did not look like you were losing that much time on him. Was that kind of the bright spot of the weekend where you were like, “This is actually going all right?”

I feel like I rode a little bit better in the second race, to be honest. The first race Pauls was not so far in front of me for quite a while and then I slipped up. I looked behind and no one was there. I had like fifteen seconds to the guy behind me, so I just kind of rode around. I came off not happy. I just did not feel like I was riding like myself, so it is just one of them things. I just wanted to come away here safe and that is what I have done, so I cannot complain too much.

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Ben Watson has been in the top five in fifteen motos this year.

Monster Energy Media/Ray Archer

A 3-5 is great, especially when you look at your results last year and the year before that. Is it a weird one where you have to kind of remind yourself that? Even for the points, today was actually good. You gained eight points or something on [Thomas Kjer] Olsen.

Yeah. I am only ten points from third in the world championship now, which I am not looking at at all. I do not really care about that. I am disappointed after this weekend, because of my riding and nothing else. It is great. I have gained ten points on third place in the championship. It does look good. That is kind of the last thing I think about. At the end of the day… That is just a number to me. I just care about how I ride and how I feel in myself. That is where I am just a little bit disappointed. I cannot be too hard on myself. I have just got to stay focussed and, like you said, look at where I have come from.

Last year… I have finished fourth overall six times now this year. I got a little bit lucky in Indonesia last year, because it was a mud race. Just one of them things where anything can happen and I got a sixth overall. But to be fourth overall five times this year is really good. Obviously I am there every time now and I just want better each time. I cannot just be happy and settle with the results I am getting. Obviously last week I passed Pauls and [Jorge] Prado in one race and now this weekend they were another level above me. It is just one of them things I have to accept. Look back at where I have come from, stay positive and focussed for the next races.

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Watson is the favourite to represent Britain in MX2 at RedBud.

Monster Energy Media/Ray Archer

Are you going to be dreading coming back here next year then? Do you think that if they sort out the watering, the track will dry out and be all right for racing?

No, the track was amazing. I really enjoyed it. It was just, I do not know who was doing it, I guess some Indonesians from the local village that have never seen a bike before. I am pretty, pretty certain it was that. It is just one of them things. No, I am going to look forward to coming back because I am riding my bike and I am racing… That is what I enjoy. So I am going to look forward to it no matter what. If it is just one race and this is going to be the worst I ride all year, then happy days.

Finally, on a scale of one to ten, how excited are you to get back to Belgium, a bit of normality and normal food?

Yeah, I am pretty sick of this place. Just going outside is just horrible. The heat just clags onto you. The food… It takes you an hour to do about twenty kilometres on the road. It will be really nice to get back to normality and get back to the European races and some sand actually. I am really looking forward to Lommel, which is not so far away, and also Loket. I really enjoy Loket. I did pretty good there last year. I am really looking forward to it and getting back to my usual routine.

Interview: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Monster Energy Media/Ray Archer

MXGP World Championship

Stark Speaks! Stark believes MXGP should reconsider electric bike inclusion.

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Following numerous questions, comments, and opinions, Stark Future would like to offer its take on the recent Press Conference held at VILLA LA ANGOSTURA (Argentina) on 8th March 2024, during the first MXGP event of the season.

Stark Future, a prominent innovator in motocross, firmly opposes MXGP/ Infront’s proposal to introduce a separate Electric Support Class alongside MXGP events. While recognizing the goal of driving technological advancements, Stark Future believes that segregation is not the solution. Instead, seeing integration as an opportunity for all sides to thrive. By embracing new technologies at the highest level of racing, Stark Future envisions making racing more captivating for fans while fostering the strongest technological improvements across the board.

With a commitment to pushing the boundaries of motocross performance and innovation, Stark Future firmly believes in true competition and integration, where the fastest machines go head-to-head, driving innovation and pushing the sport to new heights. The vision of Stark Future is to build the fastest motocross bike in the world and demonstrate that Electric is not a compromise but a formidable contender.

“As CEO and Founder of Stark Future, I firmly believe that segregating electric bikes into a separate class undermines the essence of true competition in motocross. Our mission is to break barriers and showcase the potential of electric technology on equal footing with internal combustion engines, Motocross thrives on innovation and pushing boundaries, and segregation only hinders our collective progress towards a more inclusive and dynamic sport. World Trials have done a great job on including Electric with combustion and have shown that when the platform is competitive it has it´s place amongst combustion counterparts”

Stark Future understands The creation of a separate class for electric bikes, as proposed by MXGP, compromises the essence of competition and risks stifling progress. Instead of fostering innovation, this approach fragments the championship and dilutes the level of competition. Stark Future advocates for the integration of electric bikes into the existing MXGP grid framework, which would promote innovation and benefit the broader motocross community while offering better viewing figures for MXGP programs.

Stark Future recognizes the importance of innovation in the future of motocross. Integrating electric bikes into MXGP would revitalize innovation within the sport and address challenges such as noise pollution, maintenance costs, and accessibility.

In conclusion, Stark Future urges MXGP/ Infront to reconsider the proposal for a separate Electric Support Class and explore avenues to seamlessly integrate Electric bikes into MXGP and MX2 grids. Stark Future is ready to embrace this challenge, and invites industry stakeholders to join in promoting innovation and ensuring that motocross continues to thrive for generations to come.

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Features

Stat Attack: MXGP of Patagonia – Argentina

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With the first round of MXGP in the books, statistics maestro Paul Pearcy has provided MX Vice with some brilliant numbers to tuck into from what was a great round of action. Enjoy

MX2

Timed Practice

  • Top 3
  1. Lucas Coenen: 1:42.114
  2. Kay de Wolf: 1:42.454
  3. Marc-Antoine Rossi: 1:42.895

Qualifying Race

  • Top 3
  1. Lucas Coenen
  2. Kay de Wolf
  3. Andrea Adamo
  • Laps Led
  1. Andrea Adamo: 11
  2. Lucas Coenen: 2
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Kay de Wolf: 1:44.697
  2. Lucas Coenen: 1:45.272
  3. Mikkel Haarup: 1:45.342
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Lucas Coenen: 1:46.123
  2. Kay de Wolf: 1:46.369
  3. Thibault Benistant: 1:46.976
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Lucas Coenen: 1.832
  2. Quentin Marc Prugnieres: 2.173
  3. Andrea Bonacorsi: 2.511

Race 1

  • Top 3
  1. Simon Laengenfelder
  2. Kay de Wolf
  3. Thibault Benistant
  • Laps Led
  1. Marc-Antoine Rossi: 11
  2. Simon Laengenfelder: 5
  3. Thibault Benistant: 2
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Marc-Antoine Rossi: 1:46.688
  2. Thibault Benistant: 1:46.917
  3. Simon Laengenfelder: 1:47.243
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Simon Laengenfelder: 1:48.666
  2. Kay de Wolf: 1:48.734
  3. Mikkel Haarup: 1:49.257
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Mikkel Haarup: 3.139
  2. Simon Laengenfelder: 3.372
  3. Jack Chambers: 3.337

Race 2

  • Top 3
  1. Kay de Wolf
  2. Mikkel Haarup
  3. Lucas Coenen
  • Laps Led
  1. Lucas Coenen: 7
  2. Simon Laengenfelder: 6
  3. Mikkel Haarup: 4
  4. Kay de Wolf: 1
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Lucas Coenen: 1:48.402
  2. Simon Laengenfelder: 1:48.617
  3. Mikkel Haarup: 1:48.924
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Kay de Wolf: 1:50.323
  2. Mikkel Haarup: 1:50.655
  3. Lucas Coenen: 1:51.021
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Hakon Fredriksen: 2.538
  2. David Braceras: 2.67
  3. Thibault Benistant: 2.897

Points

  • Qualifying Points Top 10
  1. Lucas Coenen: 10
  2. Kay de Wolf: 9
  3. Andrea Adamo: 8
  4. Simon Laengenfelder: 7
  5. Thibault Benistant: 6
  6. Marc-Antoine Rossi: 5
  7. Hakon Osterhagen: 4
  8. Andrea Bonacorsi: 3
  9. Sacha Coenen: 2
  10. Ferruccio Zanchi: 1
  • Race Points Top 10
  1. Kay de Wolf: 47
  2. Simon Laengenfelder: 43
  3. Mikkel Haarup: 38
  4. Thibault Benistant: 34
  5. Andrea Adamo: 29
  6. Ferruccio Zanchi: 27
  7. Marc-Antoine Rossi: 27
  8. Sacha Coenen: 26
  9. Camden Mc Lellan: 25
  10. Rick Elzinga: 23
  • Total Points Top 10
  1. Kay de Wolf: 56
  2. Simon Laengenfelder: 50
  3. Thibault Benistant: 40
  4. Mikkel Haarup: 38
  5. Andrea Adamo: 37
  6. Marc-Antoine Rossi: 32
  7. Lucas Coenen: 30
  8. Ferruccio Zanchi: 28
  9. Sacha Coenen: 28
  10. Camden Mc Lellan: 25

MXGP

Timed Practice

  • Top 3
  1. Romain Febvre: 1:41.071
  2. Pauls Jonass: 1:41.412
  3. Tim Gajser: 1:41.447

Qualifying Race

  • Top 3
  1. Tim Gajser
  2. Romain Febvre
  3. Pauls Jonass
  • Laps Led
  1. Tim Gajser: 13
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Tim Gajser: 1:44.173
  2. Romain Febvre: 1:44.571
  3. Pauls Jonass: 1:45.478
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Tim Gajser: 1:46.294
  2. Romain Febvre: 1:46.738
  3. Pauls Jonass: 1:46.757
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Jeffrey Herlings: 1.9
  2. Ben Watson: 3.044
  3. Valentin Guillod: 3.487

Race 1

  • Top 3
  1. Jorge Prado
  2. Romain Febvre
  3. Pauls Jonass
  • Laps Led
  1. Jorge Prado: 18
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Jorge Prado: 1:46.699
  2. Romain Febvre: 1:46.750
  3. Maxime Renaux: 1:47.151
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Jorge Prado: 1:48.446
  2. Romain Febvre: 1:48.807
  3. Paul Jonass: 1:49.149
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Kevin Horgmo: 2.908
  2. Ben Watson: 3.128
  3. Jeremy Seewer: 3.728

Race 2

  • Top 3
  1. Tim Gajser
  2. Jorge Prado
  3. Romain Febvre
  • Laps Led
  1. Tim Gajser: 18
  • Fastest Lap Times
  1. Jorge Prado: 1:47.787
  2. Tim Gajser: 1:47.980
  3. Romain Febvre: 1:48.319
  • Best Average Lap Times
  1. Tim Gajser: 1:49.097
  2. Jorge Prado: 1:49.587
  3. Romain Febvre: 1:50.050
  • Most Consistent Lap Times (Least difference between fastest and slowest lap times)
  1. Glenn Coldenhoff: 3.222
  2. Jeffrey Herlings: 3.259
  3. Jeremy Seewer: 3.371

Points

  • Qualifying Points Top 10
  1. Tim Gajser: 10
  2. Romain Febvre: 9
  3. Pauls Jonass: 8
  4. Jorge Prado: 7
  5. Maxime Renaux: 6
  6. Jeffrey Herlings: 5
  7. Jeremy Seewer: 4
  8. Ivo Monticelli: 3
  9. Calvin Vlaanderen: 2
  10. Valentin Guillod: 1
  • Race Points Top 10
  1. Jorge Prado: 47
  2. Romain Febvre: 42
  3. Tim Gajser: 41
  4. Pauls Jonass: 38
  5. Maxime Renaux: 33
  6. Jeremy Seewer: 30
  7. Glenn Coldenhoff: 28
  8. Jeffrey Herlings: 27
  9. Calvin Vlaanderen: 24
  10. Kevin Horgmo: 20
  • Total Points Top 10
  1. Jorge Prado: 54
  2. Romain Febvre: 51
  3. Tim Gajser: 51
  4. Pauls Jonass: 46
  5. Maxime Renaux: 39
  6. Jeremy Seewer: 34
  7. Jeffrey Herlings: 32
  8. Glenn Coldenhoff: 28
  9. Calvin Vlaanderen: 26
  10. Valentin Guillod: 21

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MX Vice Podcasts

Between The Races Podcast: Jeffrey Herlings Fanpage

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The Between The Races podcast returns with Geert from Jeffrey Herlings Fanpage and Ed Stratmann, as they talk all things Jeffrey Herlings following the MXGP opener.

The Between The Races podcast is always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Fly Racing, Fox Racing, Parts Europe, Scott, AS3 Performance, Kawasaki UK, KTM UK and Even Strokes for supporting the show. If you would like to become a part of the show, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Lead Image: Ray Archer/KTM

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