Cycle News Staff | September 6, 2022
The MX2 crown came down to a final-moto shootout between rivals Tom Vialle and Jago Geerts at the MXGP of Turkey in Afyonkarahisar, September 4. After winning moto one over Geerts, Vialle (Red Bull KTM) led Geerts (Monster Energy Yamaha) going into moto two by just one point, so it was a promoter’s dream winner-take-all conclusion to the 250cc Championship.
Tom Vialle got the early lead in MX2 race one. Photo: Ray Archer
In the deciding second moto, Geerts got out to the early lead, and Vialle quickly passed his way into second, so the championship battle was on. And it was a good one.
Vialle stalked Geerts for a bit then executed a clean pass on the Belgian, who then made a few mistakes, allowing Vialle to get away. However, Vialle made a few mistakes of his own and Geerts was able to catch back up and the two swapped positions a couple of time.
Vialle struck first with the opening win. Photo: Ray Archer
The drama quickly ratcheted up a notch or two when Vialle fell, collecting Geerts. It was now a race to get back going which Vialle won. He then found himself with a five-second gap on Geerts, who was now on a mission to pull the Frenchman back in. Unfortunately for Geerts, he would drop his bike again and found himself 12 seconds back. Despite making up some ground, it was too much for Geerts to catch Vialle, who eventually took the moto win and championship by six seconds over Geerts.
Vialle, a now two-time MX2 Champion, finished out the season just four points ahead of Geerts. Germany’s Simon Langenfelder (GasGas) ended the championship in third, ahead of Kevin Horgmo (Kawasaki) and Thibault Benistant (Yamaha).
Mistakes from Geerts saw the championship slip away. Photo: Yamaha
“I didn’t get the best start in the second race, but I passed Kay [de Wolf] and Thibault [Benistant] and was second behind Jago,” said Vialle. “I felt good actually and then after two laps, I passed Jago on the start straight. Then Jago was pushing a lot, he passed me two times, but I passed him back and then I had a little tip over, and I crashed. When I crashed, I thought, this is it, it’s finished, but when I saw that Jago crashed with me, I thought ‘no way’ this is not possible, and I managed to get going quickly. It was crazy, and I was lucky there a little bit, but that is part of the game. It was a long race; I was watching the clock a lot. I am happy, it was a tough season and to finish like this is so nice.”
“Honestly, I’m very disappointed,” said Geerts. “I really can’t believe my luck. I felt good on the track today and gave everything. In the first race, I missed the start a little bit and then had a little crash, but still finished second. In the second race, I was just really unlucky with Tom crashing right in front of me and I could not avoid his bike. It cost me a lot of time, and then I had to push so hard to come back that I fell again, and from there it was game-over.”
MX2 Podium. Photo: Ray Archer
In the MXGP class, which saw just 19 riders on the gate, Tim Gajser, who had already clinched the title, capped off the season with the overall win with a 3-2 in Turkey. Jeremy Seewer (Yamaha) and Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) filled out the podium.
Maxime Renaux scored a moto win. Photo: Yamaha
The MXGP Championship officially finished up with Gajser on top with 763 points and Seewer second with 657 points. Jorge Prado (GasGas) edged out Maxime Renaux (Yamaha) by 11 points to get on the podium in third. Glenn Coldenhoff (Yamaha) rounded out the top five just three points behind his teammate, Renaux.
Romain Febvre ended the season by winning the final moto. Photo: Kawasaki
Despite Honda winning the MXGP Championship, Yamaha came away with the MXGP Manufacturers Championship with 805 points to Honda’s 770. GasGas, Husqvarna and Kawasaki rounded out the top five. Yamaha edged out KTM by 11 points to win the MX2 Manufacturers title. GasGas was third. CN
Tim Gajser finished his championship year with another overall win. Photo: Honda / Shot By Bavo
Results
MXGP
- Tim Gajser (Hon) 3-2
- Jeremy Seewer (Yam) 2-3
- Romain Febvre (Kaw) 8-1
- Maxime Renaux (Yam) 1-8
- Mattia Guadagini (GG) 4-5
MX2
- Tom Vialle (KTM) 1-1
- Jago Geerts (Yam) 2-2
- Roan Van De Moosdijk (Hus) 4-3
- Kay de Wolf (Hus) 3-6
- Simon Langenfelder (GG) 5-5
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