MX2 Championship Patagonia - Argentina preview 08.03.2023: Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Jago Geert finished for the third time in a row Vice Motocross World Champion in MX2 last year, in one of the tightest seasons we have ever seen. Ending on the last race of the last round of the season in a “winner take

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Jago Geert finished for the third time in a row Vice Motocross World Champion in MX2 last year, in one of the tightest seasons we have ever seen. Ending on the last race of the last round of the season in a “winner takes it all” scenario.




The Belgian has now all the tools to be again one of the biggest favourites in MX2 and finally put his hands on a crown that has escaped him so far. Of course, he is a huge contender for a podium this weekend in Argentina.



The other big podium threats this season will be Simon Laengenfelder, the only MX2 rider of Red Bull Gasgas Factory Racing. He seems to be ready to put on a tough challenge on Geerts after winning one GP last year and displaying an excellent season to finish 3rd in the overall standing.



Along with Geerts, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory will present a very strong line-up that will be pushing week in week out for a place on the podium with Thibault Benistant and EMX250 European Champion Rick Elzinga.



 Benistant will be one to watch as he will enter his third full MX2 season, having finished 5th in the Championship, with a GP win in Germany. Except Vialle and Geerts, the Frenchman along with Laengenfelder were the only other GP winners in 2022 which shows his capacities to be on the top march of the podium in Argentina.


Elzinga on the other hand is stepping up to MX2 as a European Champion with 4 GP wins under his belt in that category in 2022. The strong rider may compensate his lack of experience at this level with his youthful drive to perform straight away. The MXGP of Argentina might just be the opportunity for the young Dutchman to put on the show on his first MX2 GP.



The other rider that may challenge the big favourites is Kevin Horgmo. Although the F&H Kawasaki Racing rider experienced only one podium last season, his incredible consistency in the top 10s throughout the campaign shows his talents. Just outside the overall podium, the young Danish rider will definitely race to win this season and might well start in Argentina.



David Braceras will also make his debut in MX2 with his new team F&H Kawasaki Racing. A strong performer throughout the last EMX250 season, it will be interesting to see how high he can perform under an experienced team.



Defending World Champion team Red Bull KTM Factory Racing enters into 2023 with three new riders. On the back of a promising 10th place in the Championship, Liam Everts, who moved to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, will be riding the powerful KTM 250 SX-F which is the machine with the most titles in MX2, the last one was Tom Vialle in 2022. The Belgian wishes to continue the Everts legacy and challenges the top of the leaderboard.



Red Bull KTM can also count on Andrea Adamo who made the move from GasGas and who has been one the brightest star of the 2022 MX2 season. The third rider is Sacha Coenen that will be the real Rookie of the team, after stepping up from EMX250. Together and after a winter preparation that allowed them to feel comfortable on their new livery, Everts, Adamo and Coenen will be expected to be pushing for the top, starting this weekend.



This could be a year where Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing upset the hierarchy with promising riders like Kay De Wolf and Roan van de Moosdijk, both having stored much needed experience through their couple of MX2 season and reaching many podiums. There is also the rookie Lucas Coenen (twin brother of Sacha) who is new to the team and stepping up from EMX250. Lucas Coenen had a strong pre-season preparation showing his motivation to enter the MX2 category.



Another one to be reminded is Mikkel Haarup from Big Van World MTX Kawasaki. The Danish rider proved that he likes the circuit of Villa La Angostura as he finished 3rd last season in Patagonia-Argentina. He eventually ended at the 7th place in the Championship and will be one of the threat to podium finishes.



In contention for the top spots will also be Tem JP253 Ktm Racing Team Jan Pancar who showed good flash of his potential last season and has made the switch to a KTM machinery for the upcoming season.



Finally, another one to look for this season is Camden McLellan who signed for JM Honda Racing after a great and consistent display last season in EMX250. He is coming off a successful pre-season which places him as a potential challenger for podium finishes in 2023 and particularly in Argentina this weekend for his first MX2 overseas racing.




Tom Guyon with Fantic Factory Maddii is a rider who showed his talent on his rookie season in 2022. The Frenchman showed that he is a rider that will gain to get a full MX2 season after finishing at the 15th place overall despite missing the start of the season through injuries.
     



 
2022 MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina – MX2 top 3:


1.    Tom Vialle
2.    Jago Geerts
3.    Mikkel Haarup
 
 





TIMETABLE (Local Timing UTC-3)

 


SATURDAY: 10:45 MX2 Free Practice, 11:15 MXGP OAT Free Practice, 12:10 MXGP Wildcard Free/Qualifying Practice 13:20 MX2 Time Practice, 14:00 MXGP OAT Time Practice, 15:25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 16:10 MXGP Qualifying Race.


SUNDAY: 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.
 



Infront Moto Racing- also photo