Ben Watson (Beta 450RX) kicked off the Dutch GP weekend by setting the 15th best time in time trials. In qualifying, after starting just behind the top ten, the British rider began a good comeback unfortunately spoilt by a crash that saw him finishing 18th. In the first heat he made the most of his excellent driving skills in the sand, finishing 11th. He also confirmed this position in the second heat, at the end of an exciting comeback, after an off-track excursion on the first lap had forced him to start from last position. Watson was 10th in the Overall of the day, and climbed to the 13th position in the Championship Classification.

BEN WATSON:
“The 10th place I achieved here at Arnhem is definitely a positive result. On Saturday the feeling was good and I had good speed in qualifying. Unfortunately a crash made me lose a few positions. On Sunday I felt that I could do well despite starting from a rather low position at the starting gate. In the first heat I started in the middle of the group and had a good pace and ended up 11th. With another lap to spare I could have done even better. In the second race I had a bad start and on the first lap I also went off the track after a contact with an opponent. When I came back I was practically last, but my speed was very good and I was also feeling good in terms of physical condition. I came back and finished 11th, still very close to the riders ahead of me.”