SOLID SIXTH OVERALL AT MXGP ROUND THREE FOR GASGAS FACTORY RACING’S PAULS JONASS.
HARD-CHARGING LATVIAN DIGS DEEP TO COME AWAY WITH POSITIVE 7-4 RESULTS.
GASGAS Factory Racing’s Pauls Jonass has continued his strong start to the 2021 MXGP series with a second consecutive sixth-place overall finish, this time at round three in Italy. Despite not quite getting to grips with the fast and hardpack circuit, Jonass did what champions do – got his head down and scored solid points in each moto. MXGP class teammate Brian Bogers added a few more points to his championship tally while in the MX2 class, Simon Langenfelder came away with 12th overall, boosted by a strong eighth place finish in race two.
Pauls Jonass:“We had quite a fast track today and I feel like I was just missing that last little bit to be with the top guys. I was still consistent with my lap times and race one was ok, but in the mud in race two things went a little bit better. I stayed tight around the first turn to avoid any collisions and it paid off and I moved into sixth. Unfortunately, I had a small issue with my goggles so I had to take them off. But with around four laps to go I just put in a charge. It was risky with the conditions, but it paid off and I finished fourth. I did take a rock or a lump of dirt to the eye, so I have a black eye now, but it was worth it in the end. Now that we’re done with hardpack tracks to start the season I’m looking forward to the next GP when we’re in the sand and all being well I’ll be running with the top guys again.”
The third round of the FIM Motocross World Championship took GASGAS Factory Racing to the spectacular hillside circuit of Maggiora in northern Italy. The track’s steep banks, huge jumps and high speeds, not to mention the enthusiastic crowd and the heavy rain that fell during the final MXGP race, all combined to create a memorable GP in more ways than one.
Standing Construct’s Pauls Jonass continued his consistent early season form at the MXGP of Italy. Adding to his impressive run of top-10 starts in MXGP this year, race one at the Italian GP saw the Latvian complete the opening lap of race one in seventh place. By mid-race, Jonass advanced to sixth before slipping back to seventh on the final lap of the moto.
For the second race, just like last weekend’s MXGP round two, heavy rain fell as the MXGP class took to the line. Undeterred by the conditions, Pauls rocketed from the start gate before carving a tight inside line around turn one to avoid the chaos that ensued behind him, emerging in sixth place. With the rain lashing down and forcing Jonass to remove his goggles, he put in a huge effort during the closing stages of the race to move into fourth on the very last lap.
For MXGP class teammate Brian Bogers, the aim of progressing from last week’s 16th place overall finish in England unraveled with crashes in both races resulting in the Dutchman leaving Italy with just three points.
It was a difficult opening moto at the MXGP of Italy for both DIGA Procross GASGAS Factory Racing riders in MX2. Frustrated at being unable to make a number of passes stick in race one, Simon Langenfelder brought his MC 250F home in 17th to score more vital championship points.
For race two, Simon returned to his early season form. Enjoying a great start in the moto, he was then involved in a huge battle for seventh for much of the race before securing his eighth-place finish. With another top-10 result, Simon now lies eighth in the MX2 World Championship
Frustratingly, Isak Gifting had a day to forget in Italy. Rebounding from a race one DNF, the Swede was placed in a strong ninth for much of race two before a crash five laps from home resulted in another DNF for the luckless racer.
Brian Bogers:“It was a difficult day today. Not one of my better tracks but it’s the same for everyone. I’m still building back up from injury and the second race was really difficult. It was a mud race and I’ve not ridden in those conditions for quite some time so to come away with points is good and I’m looking forward to my home GP in two weeks’ time.”
Simon Langenfelder:“I couldn’t quite find my flow in race one today. I tried making passes in many places but everyone is a similar speed and many lines came together so it was a tough one. I had a much better start in race two and was able to manage my race a lot better, ride my own lines and I felt great on the bike. I ended up 12th overall so that second race turned a bad day into a much better one.”
Both Standing Construct GASGAS Factory Racing and the DIGA Procross GASGAS Factory Racing return to FIM Motocross World Championship in two weeks’ time for the MXGP of The Netherlands, on July 18.
Results – 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship, Round 3
MXGP – Overall
1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 40pts
2. Glenn Coldenhoff (Yamaha) 40
3. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 40
6. Pauls Jonass (GASGAS) 32
22. Brian Bogers (GASGAS) 3
MXGP – Race 1
1. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki)
2. Jorge Prado (KTM)
3. Antonio Cairoli (KTM)
7. Pauls Jonass (GASGAS)
27. Brian Bogers (GASGAS)
MXGP – Race 2
1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)
2. Glenn Coldenhoff (Yamaha)
3. Antonio Cairoli (KTM)
4. Pauls Jonass (GASGAS)
18. Brian Bogers (GASGAS)
MX2 – Overall
1. Mattia Guadagnini (KTM) 47pts
2. Maxime Renaux (Yamaha) 37
3. Jago Geerts (Yamaha) 34
12. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 17
MX2 – Race 1
1. Thibault Benistant (Yamaha)
2. Mattia Guadagnini (KTM)
3. Ruben Fernandez (Honda)
17. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS)
MX2 – Race 2
1. Mattia Guadagnini (KTM)
2. Maxime Renaux (Yamaha)
3. Roan Van De Moosdijk (Kawasaki)
8. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS)
Championship Standings – After Round 3
MXGP
1. Tim Gajser (Honda) 124pts
2. Jeffery Herlings (KTM) 118
3. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) 107
8. Pauls Jonass (GASGAS) 82
22. Brian Bogers (GASGAS) 15
MX2
1. Mattia Guadagnini 113pts
2. Maxime Renaux (Yamaha) 111
3. Ruben Fernandez (Honda) 108
8. Simon Langenfelder (GASGAS) 70
21. Isak Gifting (GASGAS) 12
Text/Bild: GasGas