Still thrilled about the progress made on Sunday, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP geared up to complete the fifteenth round of the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship today. Held on the same Pietramurata track that served the riders so well a couple of days ago, just with a handful of minor tweaks, the YZ450FM hoped for more of the same from the second midweek event of the year.
Seewer continued to trend upwards at the Grand Prix of Pietramurata, as he was competitive in qualifying before jostling inside of the top five in the first moto. A late-race pass helped him claim fourth at the finish line, a result that gave him some momentum heading into the second moto. It was that moto where he made his mark – he started in second and chased the leader throughout. 2.601 separated him from the winner at the chequered flag. It was that close! Unfortunately, a 4-2 scorecard meant that he missed the podium by just one measly point.
Coldenhoff was just behind Seewer in the overall classification, as he was fifth via 7-6 moto scores. That seventh in the first moto was particularly impressive – he ended lap one in twelfth and made impressive progress on the slick surface. Coldenhoff actually ran inside of the top three for a portion of the second moto, before hitting the chequered flag in sixth. Finishing fifth overall helped him edge even closer to seventh in the standings as well. There could be some progress made with three rounds to go!
Watson continued to edge closer to top form at the Grand Prix of Pietramurata; he was extremely impressive in moto one whilst shadowing the former winners in the top five. Sixth was the position that he secured in that moto. The second moto was a little more difficult, thanks to a mediocre start, but he went from twelfth to ninth by the end. A 6-9 scorecard left him in seventh overall and helped him edge closer to a top-ten ranking in the standings.
There is still no need to stray from the Pietramurata paddock, as the sixteenth round of the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship will also be held at the Italian venue this coming weekend. Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP will rest up and prepare for the final appointment next to the Italian Dolomites.
Jeremy Seewer: “I feel really good. This was an amazing moto to finish second in the last race, but Tony [Cairoli] was just on a mission. I tried to follow him, but he had slightly more. He didn’t get away too much. I feel happy about today. It was consistent and good. To have a 4-2 score and no podium is quite odd, but it shows how competitive the class is. No matter whether I am on the box or not, I was close and took good points for the championship. That is all that matters. I’m happy with everything, so now I will take some rest and try to be back for another chance at being on the box at Arco 3.”
Glenn Coldenhoff: “Today didn’t start too well. I felt good on the track but my lap time was sixteenth, which didn’t matter too much here. The gate pick was still okay. I didn’t get the best start in the first race. I was pretty far behind, which is really difficult on a track like this. I also didn’t feel very comfortable. The second moto was definitely better. I started in the top five and moved immediately into third position, but halfway I started to ride tight and made some huge mistakes. That allowed the guys to pass me. It was a consistent day and solid, overall, but we want more.”
Ben Watson: “Overall, I am happy about today. I am finally starting to feel normal. I know my ankle is still not 100% but I was able to ride how I wanted to ride today without that playing on my mind. It was good. I even felt good in qualifying today. I would say that today, my first race was one of the best I have had all season. The second one was also not so bad with another solid top ten, so we just look forward to being back again on Sunday.”
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