| Following a lengthy break, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has halted sporting events across the globe, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP are beginning to return to normality, with round three of the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship less than three weeks away. Gautier Paulin, Arnaud Tonus and Jeremy Seewer are set to hit the racetrack in Kegums, Latvia, on August 09. Attention is firmly on that August date, so necessary steps are being taken to ensure that the trio are in a position to contend when gates drop. All three Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP riders competed in smaller national races over the weekend, as preparations ramp up, and experienced success. Gautier Paulin and Jeremy Seewer raced at the historic track of Faenza (a new addition to the Grand Prix calendar) in Italy and impressed. Paulin took the overall, with race wins in both motos, and Seewer landed in third overall.  Tonus, now fully recovered from pre-season injuries that held him back at the first two rounds of the MXGP series, lined up in his home nation of Switzerland, as a charity race was run in support of two athletes who recently suffered devastating injuries. A spot on the podium confirmed that he too has made steps forward during the lengthy break. Tonus will join his teammates in Arnhem, The Netherlands, on Sunday for another pre-season race. That will be the final stop for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing before heading over to the Grand Prix of Latvia.Jeremy Seewer: “It is definitely cool to be able to go racing again and get the MXGP series restarted. We all know that it is not going to be the same as usual, because we will not have many spectators. The atmosphere will be completely different. It is a shame that this has happened, but that is just how it is. We have to make the best of it. I am excited. We have a goal that we can work towards again and just go racing, which is what we all need! One-day events and three races a week will be super tough and a big challenge for everyone, mentally and physically, but it is a new challenge that I am looking forward to. I am motivated to go for it!”  Gautier Paulin: “I am really excited that racing is back. Formula 1, MotoGP and Supercross have been back. Now I just cannot wait for MXGP to come back! The calendar looks a bit strange, but it is like this and we have to adapt to the situation. I am ready to race, as a racer. The bike was really nice at the beginning of the season and I am still really happy with it. I just cannot wait to be back racing again! I am healthy and feel good. We still have a few weeks to go, but it will arrive really quick at a nice track that I have great memories at. I won the Motocross of Nations there and have had a few podiums in Latvia too. I am definitely looking forward to it and cannot wait to be back behind the gate with my YZ450FM!”Arnaud Tonus: “I am just super happy to go back racing. I appreciate the effort from everyone to save our championship. It is a super hard time at the moment, so it is nice that we can do what we love. I hope that it will happen in the best way and that the virus can stay calm. I am happy that I could get some more time on the bike and recover from the injuries that I had at the beginning of the season, so I am looking forward to the restart. I will give it my all!” |