The 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship fired back into life earlier today, as the Grand Prix of Turkey hosted the eighth race of the campaign. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 jumped back into action, with Jed Beaton and Kay de Wolf, at the jump-laden circuit of Afyonkarahisar.
Jed Beaton showed a lot of potential on the fast-paced circuit, as he battled for pole position until the very end of qualifying. Beaton took second in the session and was just 0.588 shy of the top spot – the confidence that was gained was invaluable though. The power within the FC 250 helped him start the first stint in third place, a position that he was keen to improve on. Following endless tussles with those around him, in which he excelled and set some of the fastest times of the race, he crossed the line in third. A solid start to the Grand Prix.
Beaton was a factor in the fight for the win again in moto two, as he started off in second and hounded the leader for the first portion of the moto. Slotting into third at halfway mark, he defended that spot until the end and secured the same position in the overall classification. Beaton leapt onto the overall podium for the second time this season and moved into fourth in the championship standings as well. A positive event for the Aussie.
Kay de Wolf continued to impress in his rookie term, as his raw bursts of speed made him one of the fastest riders at Afyonkarahisar. A seventh was secured in moto one, after running as high as fourth, but it was the second moto where he really shined. Starting outside of the top ten, he put his head down and made some impressive progress on the tricky track. Ninth was the spot that he reached the chequered flag in – that left him eighth in the overall classification. De Wolf occupies the same position in the championship standings.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 will be back in action in just a couple of days, as the second part of the Turkish double header will be run at the same Afyonkarahisar circuit on Wednesday. The event will act as the ninth round of the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship.
Jed Beaton: “It has been a long time. I felt like I put two good motos together today. I had the speed in Latvia and Lommel, but did not put the two motos together. I got two good starts today as well! I was happy with that. I did ride a little bit tight in the first moto, but came on strong towards the end.”
Kay de Wolf: “I’m really happy with today. Seventh overall is another solid result for me and, despite making a few mistakes, I felt like I was riding really well and with a good flow. I actually twisted my ankle in race one so that was pretty painful, but we strapped it up for moto two and it was ok once the adrenaline took over. It was a pretty fun track today and I’m looking forward to Wednesday.”
