Continuing his strong mid-season form, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team’s Calvin Vlaanderen secured seventh overall at the MXGP of the Czech Republic. After falling twice and placing 11th in Race One, the South African rebounded with a determined ride to fifth in Race Two, earning a top-10 result. Jago Geerts also impressed, taking eighth overall, while Maxime Renaux placed 13th.
Two weeks on from his overall podium finish in Finland, Vlaanderen was focused on delivering another successful result in the Czech Republic. With victories at the hardpack Loket circuit in the past, in both MXGP and MX2, Vlaanderen was understandably excited for the 14th round of the series.
However, Vlaanderen fell early on in Race One, which ruled out any chance of a podium appearance. After completing the opening lap way down the field in 24th, he relied on his superior fitness and race craft to finish 11th, despite the circuit proving tough to make passes on.
In Race Two, Vlaanderen enjoyed a much stronger start aboard his Yamaha YZ450FM and emerged from the first turn in fifth. By now, the track was much drier than the opening race and passes inside the top 10 were minimal. Despite his best efforts, Vlaanderen was unable to make any moves in this race, and he crossed the line in fifth for seventh overall. The points secured ensure he remains fifth in the MXGP World Championship standings.
With his confidence building as the season continues, Geerts delivered solid and consistent results in the Czech Republic. Following his ninth-place finish in the opening race, the Belgian held seventh for the majority of Race Two before twisting his ankle and dropping to eighth. Able to maintain his position to the finish, Geerts secured eighth overall on the day for his third consecutive top-10 finish. The late-season form moves the 25-year-old up to 12th in the championship.
Renaux returned to racing in Loket after missing the previous two rounds and impressed in Race One, finishing sixth. The Frenchman’s second race was over shortly after the start, however, as a first turn pile-up damaged his rear brake and he was unable to race safely or competitively. On the day, Renaux finished 13th overall, and he remains seventh in the series standings.
From the hardpack of Loket, the team now heads to the deep sand of Lommel in Belgium for the next stop of the campaign. Taking place over the weekend of August 2-3, the event marks the 15th round of the series.
Click here for all the results from the MXGP of Czech Republic.
Calvin Vlaanderen
7th MXGP of Czech Republic, 26-points
5th MXGP Championship Standings, 392-points
“Tough weekend. I definitely wanted more and I had the speed, but I just couldn’t execute in the races. I crashed on the first lap of Race One, charged through the field, then crashed again. My start in Race Two was good but the track had dried out a lot and it was so hard to make passes. I made one last push near the end but it just wasn’t possible to make any passes. Overall, not the best day, but I’m healthy and I put some good points on the board.”
Jago Geerts
8th MXGP of Czech Republic, 25-points
12th MXGP Championship Standings, 237-points
“Overall, the weekend was pretty good. I didn’t have the best start in Race One, and didn’t ride as good as I know I can, but I finished ninth so that was a good start to the day. In the second one I was running seventh until near the end when I twisted my ankle. That allowed Ruben Fernandez by but I was able to hold on to eighth for eighth overall. Next weekend we have my home GP so I’m looking forward to that one.”
Maxime Renaux
13th MXGP of Czech Republic, 15-points
7th MXGP Championship Standings, 368-points
“Today was not the best. I had a good start in Race One, but I didn’t have a good feeling on the track. I finished sixth, so it wasn’t too bad. I was focused on a better result in the second race but I got caught up in a first turn crash. My rear brake got damaged in the crash and with how this track is, it just wasn’t possible to race properly. We’ll now regroup and be ready for Lommel next weekend
