The third round of the FIM Motocross World Championship played out in Villa La Angostura, Argentina, March 20, for the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina, with Tim Gajser and Tom Vialle taking top honors.
Photos by Ray Archer
Race one of the MXGP division saw a number of different leaders in the opening laps, including Pauls Jonass and Ruben Fernandez. Both Fernandez and Jonass hit the ground while leading, which eventually gave the spot to last year’s MX2 Champion Maxime Renaux. The MXGP rookie held the position until the checkers to take the first premier-class victory of his career.
Points leader Gajser suffered a poor start but climbed his way through the field and eventually claimed second.
Renaux’s Yamaha teammate Jeremy Seewer took third.
Jorge Prado, Jonass and Gajser all started up front in race two, but it was Gajser who quickly found his way into the lead. A great battle ensued behind him with a host of riders dueling for positions. Renaux got the best of the competition and took control of second.
Honda rider Ruben Fernandez put in a hard-fought ride and secured third place on the final lap.
Gajser’s 2-1 nailed the overall win over Renaux’s 1-2. Prado claimed third overall with consistent fourths.
Gajser (141 points), Renaux (124), and Prado (118) are currently the top three in the overall points.
VIDEO | 2022 MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina Highlights
MX2
The MX2 division saw title heavyweights Jago Geerts and Tom Vialle duke it out for the moto win. The two found themselves up front early putting distance between the drama behind them. After laps of battling, Geerts gained the advantage and claimed victory over Vialle.
Mattia Guadagnini moved through the field, and then crashes by both Simon Laengenfelder and Kay De Wolf moved the GasGas rider into podium territory.
Race two was red flagged after one lap but the series mainstays found themselves up front after the restart. Geerts grabbed the lead early ahead of Vialle, while Guadagnini, Laengenfelder and Kevin Horgmo duked it out for the final podium position. Vialle eventually passed Geerts after following for a few laps and broke away to take the win and the overall. Geerts settled for second, while Mikkel Harrup charged his way to third in the race.
Vialle took the overall with 2-1 finishes, Geerts second with 1-2 scores, and Haarup third with a 4-3.
Geerts still maintains his points lead over Vialle, 137-111. Laengenfelder is third just one point back of Vialle. CN
2022 FIM MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina Results
MXGP
- Tim Gajser (Hon) 2-1
- Maxime Renaux (Yam) 1-2
- Jorge Prado (GG) 4-4
- Pauls Jonass (Hus) 6-5
- Glenn Coldenhoff (Yam) 8-6
MX2
- Tom Vialle (KTM) 2-1
- Jago Geerts (Yam) 1-2
- Mikkel Haarup (Kaw) 4-3
- Mattia Guadagnini (GG) 3-4
- Conrad Mewse (KTM) 6-9
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