MXGP World Championship
Chatter Box: Ben Watson
Ben Watson on an eventful Czech MXGP.
Ben Watson ended the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic with a bang, quite literally, but was completely fine afterwards. Watson was actually lucky to escape the event unscathed, as there was another close call in the qualifying race on Saturday. All of those incidents were covered in this exclusive MX Vice interview on Sunday evening.
MX Vice: Rough weekend. Well, a rough end to it anyway. Speed was good though and, if that crash had not have happened, you would have been on for another fourth, fifth or maybe even a third.
Ben Watson: Yeah. I have been happy with my speed all weekend again. I have just not had things really go my way. I had two quite good starts in the races and then unfortunately the first one I had a really bad first few first corners. I think I was around probably fifteenth, then I could work my way through to sixth. Towards the end of the race I was really happy with my riding and the pace when I was able to ride on my own. Just the start… If I can get up there at the front with them I am really confident. There is no problem for me to run there.
Then race two I had a good start. I was I think seventh or eighth, which was not good enough, but it was better than it has been a little bit lately. I pushed on in the start and got through it. I was, I think, into sixth and I had a really scary crash. I came along the fast sweeping left-hander before the finish and there was a long groove all the way along. Someone had kind of rode over the berm I think and just put like a kink in it. I came around and the rear just totally came the opposite way on me and I lost control and basically fell off the side full speed.
I feel really lucky to be able to have just got up. I wanted to carry on, but unfortunately the bike was… Somebody landed clean on the bike after me and totaled it. Unfortunately, I could not carry on. I had to push it up the side of the track and back to the van. I am gutted.
You are all good though? You are not beaten up at all? If the bike was fine, you could have gotten up and charged on.
Yeah, sure. If the bike was not ruined, I would have been straight on and back and definitely in the points. That is why I say gutting, because there is nothing wrong with me at all. I have just got a few grazes on the side and that is basically it. It is completely gutting, but it is part of motocross. I just have to stay positive and use it as motivation.
I guess it is easier to take it anyway, because really this might be the first mistake you have made all season or at least in a long time. I cannot think of many times you have even had a tip-over, let alone a crash like that.
No. I have rarely been outside the top six this year. I think only five or six races I have been outside the top five and it is really difficult for me and frustrating that it has actually happened to me now. It has been a long time for me. I have had a really consistent season. I have not had that moment where I am kind of going through the air thinking, “Oh no. This is bad,” for a really long time. It happens to everyone and it was me this weekend. It was a little bit my fault, but it is just one of them things and I have just got to get on with it and continue. Luckily no problems at all from it.
Going back to yesterday, you had a bit of an incident with [Henry] Jacobi. Actually, you did not really have the incident – there was nothing that you did wrong – but what did you think of that? It was a bit sketchy.
Yeah, it was completely out of order. I was so frustrated in the race. I really wanted to just do nothing, but just get past him and just get out of his way. He was just riding to kill me because he was slower… It was his only way to keep the riders behind him. I was really lucky that I slammed onto the brakes and did not go down hard. I came up to him after the race and spoke to him and he said, “Yeah, I am completely in the wrong.”
I said, “Yeah, there is just completely no need for it at all.” I guess unfortunately that is the only way he can stay at the front. It is one of them things. It is racing. I am not going to do anything stupid to try and get any revenge, because I am not like that. I am much older now. It is done.
Are you surprised you even managed to brake in time? It looked like a real split-second deal. I am surprised you even anticipated that it was coming.
I did not have a clue, because I came up his inside and then we came along pit lane. I jumped a little bit longer than him and he got a bit more drive and got his front wheel in front of me and then just cut straight across me. I braked pretty hard and his wheel… I did touch his bike but fortunately literally just clipped it. If it was any more then, yeah, I would have been down.
It was strange, because the next lap I did the exact same move on him. I do not really know what he was thinking, but I did the exact same move but made it stick that time. Maybe I should have been a little bit more aggressive the first time I tried to pass him there and not really given him the opportunity to do that. But I am not the rider that is going to for no reason, and in a qualifying race, just try and put somebody on the floor. That is not me.
I feel like we actually need to talk about that race, but the good parts of it. After that you were on fire. That might have been one of your best rides this season. You caught [Thomas Kjer] Olsen pretty easily and had there been another few laps, probably would have taken third and moved further than that.
I actually passed Olsen at the start of the race. I was feeling really comfortable all weekend, but I came down the bottom of the hill and I tried to pass [Adam] Sterry I think. It was on the inside before the big uphill. I got the corner wrong, because I was not using that line, and I was washing out going up the hill and completely lost all my speed. Olsen was able to just ride around the outside and he had a lot more drive up the hill and he passed me straight back the same lap.
It was gutting for me, because I felt really strong. It is not very often that I can pass the guys like that – he is third in the championship – quite easily. I am making big steps every weekend. That is why even though it has been a really tough weekend for me, I have just got to stay positive and kind of look back to where I was last year and at how solid the season has been so far and keep focused for the next races.
Moving on from here, what are your plans? I guess you have got to do testing this week?
Yeah. I have actually got a test here tomorrow, so I will be riding this track for most of the day. But I did not really do much in the second race, so that will be no problem for me. We are going to be riding the 2019 in Switzerland, so we are doing some testing here tomorrow with the bike. Then directly after Lommel we will be on the new bike full-time.
Finally, I guess it is kind of time to start asking this. Have you booked any flights to RedBud yet? It has not been announced but, let’s be honest, you are going to America and if you are not then there is going to be outrage.
Yeah, obviously I have not done anything like that. But if I was chosen, I would be absolutely over the moon. I would be unbelievably motivated to show the country what I can do. After last year there was a lot of, “Is it going to be you or not?” For me to not be chosen and then everybody saying, “Next year will be your time. Just stay patient.” I hope that I can make everybody stick by their words and show them that I can be patient and wait for my time. If I was chosen, I would be over the moon and I would give it absolutely everything.
Interview: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Monster Energy Media/Ray Archer
MXGP World Championship
2024 Spain Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos – MXGP Results
We will post the 2024 MXGP results of Spain Intu Xanadú – Arroyomolinos GP all weekend. Get the latest updates to your phone through MX Vice.
MXGP Championship
MXGP Overall
MXGP Race Two
MXGP Race One
MXGP Qualification Race
MXGP Timed Practice
MX2 Championship
MX2 Overall
MX2 – Race Two
MX2 – Race One
MX2 – Qualification Race
MX2 Timed Practice
WMX Race Two
WMX Race One
EMX 250 Overall
EMX 250 – Race 2
EMX 250 – Race 1
EMX 250 – Timed Practice
MXGP World Championship
//PEARCY Stats Preview MXGP Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos
Once again, our resident stats guru, Paul Pearcy, provides a breakdown of the MX2 class going into Intu Xanadu. Famed more for its access to a shopping mall and McDonald’s than actual passing, the MX2 contenders will be looking to make their mark. Last year, Simon Laengenfelder reigned supreme and was unstoppable on Sunday, with no rider able to match his pace. If you were a betting man, who would be your winner?
MXGP Intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos Preview
MX2
Kay de Wolf
Venue Visits: 21’, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 3rd
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 3rd
- Qualifying Race Finish: 4th
- Qualifying Points: 7
- Race First Lap Position: 6th
- Race Finishes: 5th in Race 1, 11th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 8th
- Race Points: 54
Total Points: 61
Simon Laengenfelder
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
- Race Podiums: 4; 22’, 23’
- Race Wins: 2; 1-1 in 23’
- Overall Podiums: 2; 22’, 23’
- Overall win: 1; 23’
- Race Laps Led: 34; all in 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 4.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 3rd
- Qualifying Points: 8
- Race First Lap Position: 5.167
- Race Finishes: 4.333 in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 4.333
- Race Points: 113
Total Points: 121
Thibault Benistant
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
- Race Podium: 1; 23’
- Race Laps Led: 1, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 6.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 5.5
- Qualifying Points: 5
- Race First Lap Position: 12.667
- Race Finishes: 5.667 in Race 1, 6.333 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 6.333
- Race Points: 92
Total Points: 97
Mikkel Haarup
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 9th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 12th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 12th
- Race First Lap Position: 12.5
- Race Finishes: 12.333 in Race 1, 9.667 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 10.667
- Race Points: 60
Total Points: 60
Andrea Adamo
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
- Race Podium: 1; 23’
- Overall Podium: 1; 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 11th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 9.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 6.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 6
- Race First Lap Position: 11.667
- Race Finishes: 9.333 in Race 1, 12.667 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 10.333
- Race Points: 70
Total Points: 76
Lucas Coenen
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 6th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 2nd
- Qualifying Points: 9
- Race First Lap Position: 17.5
- Race Finishes: 6th in Race 1, 26th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 14th
- Race Points: 15
Total Points: 24
Sacha Coenen
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 19th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 24th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 17th
- Race First Lap Position: 8.5
- Race Finishes: 9th in Race 1, 11th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 9th
- Race Points: 22
Total Points: 22
Rick Elzinga
Venue Visits: 22’, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 10th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 21.5
- Race First Lap Position: 4.25
- Race Finishes:13th in Race 1, 10th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 14.5
- Race Points: 27
Total Points: 27
Jack Chambers
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 22nd
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 15th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 15th
- Race First Lap Position: 24.5
- Race Finishes:17th in Race 1, 16th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 17th
- Race Points: 9
Total Points: 9
Oriol Oliver
Venue Visits: 21’, 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 17.5
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 16th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 13th
- Race First Lap Position: 12.75
- Race Finishes:17th in Race 1, 17th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 17.5
- Race Points: 19
Total Points: 19
David Braceras
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 16th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 15.5
- Race First Lap Position: 12.75
- Race Finishes:14.5 in Race 1, 16th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 16.5
- Race Points: 23
Total Points: 23
Emil Weckman
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 17th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 10th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
- Race First Lap Position: 12.5
- Race Finishes: 15th in Race 1, 19th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 18th
- Race Points: 8
Total Points: 8
Bobby Bruce
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 20th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 12th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 26th
- Race First Lap Position: 23rd
- Race Finishes: 27th in Race 1, 21st in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 17th
MXGP
Jorge Prado
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
- 1st in Timed Practice: 1; 22’
- Qualifying Race Podiums: 2; 22’, 23’
- Qualifying Race Win: 1; 23’
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 12
- Race Podiums: 6
- Race Wins: 2
- Overall Podiums: 2; 20’, 21’
- Overall Win: 1; 20’ (1-1 in 20’)
- Race Laps Led: 56
Averages
- Timed Practice: 3rd
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 1.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 10
- Race First Lap Position: 2.125
- Race Finishes: 2nd in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 3rd
- Race Points: 160
Total Points: 170
Romain Febvre
Venue Visits: 20’, 21’, 23’
- Race Podiums: 3
- Race Win: 1; 21’
- Overall Podium: 1; 20’
- Race Laps Led: 11
Averages
- Timed Practice: 5.667
- Race First Lap Position: 8.5
- Race Finishes: 1.5 in Race 1, 5th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 3.5
- Race Points: 81
Total Points: 81
Tim Gajser
Venue Visits: 20’-22’
- 1st in Timed Practice: 1; 20’
- Race Podiums: 4
- Overall Podiums: 2; 20’, 21’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 1.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 5th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
- Race First Lap Position: 3.5
- Race Finishes: 3rd in Race 1, 3.333 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 3rd
- Race Points: 119
Total Points: 119
Pauls Jonass
Venue Visits: 21’, 22’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 8.5
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 3rd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 9th
- Race First Lap Position: 7.25
- Race Finishes: 7.5 in Race 1, 7th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 7.5
- Race Points: 55
Total Points: 55
Maxime Renaux
Venue Visit: 22’, 23’
- Race Wins: 2; 22’ (1-1 in 22’)
- Overall Win: 1; 22’
- Race Laps Led: 31
Averages
- Timed Practice: 4th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 5th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 13th
- Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Race Finishes: 1st in Race 1, 1st in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 1st
- Race Points: 50
Total Points: 50
Jeremy Seewer
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
- Qualifying Race Podium: 1; 23’
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 1; 22’
- Race Laps Led: 5
Averages
- Timed Practice: 6.5
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 4th
- Qualifying Race Points: 8
- Race First Lap Position: 5.375
- Race Finishes: 8.5 in Race 1, 5.25 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 7th
- Race Points: 115
Total Points: 123
Jeffery Herlings
Venue Visits: 21’, 23’
- 1st in Timed Practice: 2; 21’, 23’
- Qualifying Race Podiums: 1; 23’
- Race Podiums: 4;(Jeffrey has podiumed 100% of the races he has competed in)
- Race Wins: 3; (Herlings has won 75% of the victories he has vied for)
- Overall Wins: 2; (100% win rate)
- Race Laps Led: 27
Averages
- Timed Practice: 1st
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 2nd
- Qualifying Race Points: 9
- Race First Lap Position: 4.75
- Race Finishes: 2nd in Race 1, 1st in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 1st
- Race Points: 95
Total Points: 104
Glenn Coldenhoff
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
- Qualifying Race Win: 1; 22’
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 12
- Race Podium: 1; 22’
- Overall Podium: 1; 22’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 7.25
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 3.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 5
- Race First Lap Position: 5.125
- Race Finishes: 6th in Race 1, 6.5 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 5th
- Race Points: 123
Total Points: 128
Calvin Vlaanderen
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 12th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 14.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 11th
- Qualifying Race Points: 2
- Race First Lap Position: 15.625
- Race Finishes: 11.5 in Race 1, 12.75 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 12.25
- Race Points: 71
Total Points: 73
Valentin Guillod
Venue Visits: 20’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 18th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 19.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 12.5
- Qualifying Race Points: 1
- Race First Lap Position: 14.75
- Race Finishes: 12th in Race 1, 15.25 in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 14.25
- Race Points: 62
Total Points: 63
Ben Watson
Venue Visits: 21’-23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 14.667
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 20.5
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 24.5
- Race First Lap Position: 16.5
- Race Finishes: 19th in Race 1
- Overall Finishes: 22nd
- Race Points: 2
Total Points: 2
Ivo Monticelli
Venue Visits: 20’, 22’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 12th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 9th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 24th
- Race First Lap Position: 16.75
- Race Finishes: 15th in Race 1, 13th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 13th
- Race Points: 28
Total Points: 28
Kevin Brumann
Venue Visit: 23’
Averages
- Timed Practice: 17th
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 20th
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 20th
- Race First Lap Position: 20th
- Race Finishes: 14th in Race 1, 17th in Race 2
- Overall Finishes: 15th
- Race Points: 11
Total Points: 11
Photo: KTM Group
MX Vice Podcasts
Between The Races Podcast: Adam Sterry – MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina Recap and Spain Preview
Listen now.
The Between The Races podcast returns with Adam Sterry, Ed Stratmann and Brad Wheeler, as they review the 2024 MXGP season opener and look ahead to Spain.
The Between The Races podcast is always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Fly Racing, Monster Energy, Fox Racing, Parts Europe, Scott, Bell Helmets, Acerbis, AS3 Performance, Kawasaki UK, KTM UK, O’Neal 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: Triumph Racing/Ray Archer
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