Following his spectacular crash during the Qualifying Race at the Russian Grand Prix, Shaun Simpson has been diagnosed with three fractured ribs and a chipped Ilium and will miss the weekend’s MXGP at Latvia. The gritty Scot is in pain and is experiencing a lot of muscle cramping. He aims to return at the Germany GP at Teutschenthal a week later.
Entering the seventh round of the highly competitive MXGP World Championship, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team will travel to the ‘Zelta-Zirgs’ circuit in Kegums, Latvia where Romain Febvre hopes to reclaim third place in the MXGP Championship Standings. Currently seventh in the series, Jeremy Van Horebeek is near full-strength following the wrist injury he sustained at the MXGP of Europe back in March. The Belgian, who is one of only four pole-goers this year, is looking to return to top-five form and make his way back to the podium.
Situated approximately 50 kilometers South-East of the Latvian capital, Riga, the Zelta-Zirgs circuit is relatively young. It hosted its first Grand Prix in 2009 where Antonio Cairoli took his YZ450F to victory in the premier class. The venue has since gone on to host a further seven Grands Prix, and a Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations – at which Team Belgium finished second place after their captain, Jeremy Van Horebeek, powered his YZ450FM to second place in the MXGP class.
The tracks’ layout is wide and flowing. It has a firm base with a sandy topsoil and typically develops many hidden square-edged bumps. As one of the most technically skilled riders on the line, Romain Febvre has won two races inside the premier class at the tricky Kegums circuit, and has finished on the podium twice, in 2015 and 2016. The 26-year-old Frenchman is currently fourth place in the MXGP Championship Standings, 9-points shy of Clement Desalle in third, and is determined to repeat his former success.
Jeremy Van Horebeek has made a return to his full training regime following the Scaphoid injury he received as a result of a big crash at the MXGP of Europe in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. Up until last week, the Belgian had not been training on the bike during the week, as advised by medical experts. The 28-year-old needs 2-points on Glenn Coldenhoff to move up into sixth, and is determined to achieve that this weekend.
One rider who has a habit of setting the crowd into frenzy with his flamboyant riding style and positive outlook is Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer. The 23-year-old rookie is absolutely loving every lap turned on his YZ450F, and is rapidly building speed and confidence. He is currently ninth in the championship chase, 12 points shy of the 2016 MXGP World Champion Tim Gajser in eighth, and 15-points off Jeremy Van Horebeek in seventh.
In MX2, the Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 team is prepared for another brilliant weekend in the sand at the seventh round of the FIM MX2 World Championship in Kegums.
Having celebrated a career best achievement at the MX2 Grand Prix of Russia, where he finished on the podium for the first time, Ben Watson is brimming with confidence. The 20-year-old Brit favors a softer surface and is excited to go in pursuit of another top-three finish. He is currently fourth in the MX2 Championship Standings.
As a rider that has celebrated the Latvian Grand Prix from the podium over the last two years, Jago Geerts is bound to be the dark horse in the MX2 class this weekend. Geerts dominated the opening round of the 2016 EMX125 Championship in the sand of Kegums with a double moto victory, and then went on to prove how hot his pace is with a race win inside the EMX250 class the following year. The talented 18-year-old has plenty of confidence going into this Grand Prix after another sensational performance in Holland last weekend where he took his second consecutive overall victory to extend his lead in the Dutch Championship. The young Belgian, who is currently tied for tenth place in the MX2 Championship, is well on his way to a podium milestone in the pro ranks.
Coinciding with the MXGP and MX2 Championships this weekend and fresh off their first-ever EMX250 round victory, the ASTES4-TESAR Yamaha Official EMX250 team will line up Nicholas Lapucci and Roan Van de Moosdijk for the fourth round of the EMX250 Championship.
Similarly, the intense action that typifies the EMX125 Championship is set to resume with MJC Yamaha Official EMX125’s Thibault Benistant in the running for a podium place. The EMX125 round of Latvia will be exciting for last years’ winner of the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup, Jörgen-Matthias Talviku, with Latvia being a neighboring country to his native, Estonia.