Over the weekend the riders competed on the challenging track at Riola Sardo, in Sardinia Italy, for the first round of the Internazionali d’Italia Motocross.
Ben Watson (Beta RX450), 11th in timed practice, ran an excellent first heat finishing 7th, despite a tricky start. In the second heat a crash at the first corner forced the British rider to make a comeback, finishing in seventh position. A position that he also confirmed in the Absolute of the Day.
Another great performance for the new MRT Racing Team Beta Factory rider: Ivo Monticelli (Beta RX450) marked the 10th time in the time trials and in the 1st heat made a great comeback and finished 8th. In the second heat a few crashes slowed his race but he was able to finish in 11th position. Taking 10th position overall Ivo was also the best Italian rider.
Ben Watson: “The first race of the season is over but I am sure the results do not fully reflect my riding. In the first heat it took me a few laps to find my rhythm but then I recovered to seventh position. In the second heat I got stuck under my bike in a crash just after the start. After a few laps, however, I felt really good and recovered to 7th position, which I grabbed right in the final metres. There are still some points on which we have to improve, but we will definitely have a chance to sort things out in the next few weeks.”
Ivo Monticelli: “In the first heat I had some problems at the start but my rhythm was good and, after a good series of overtaking actions, I finished 8th. My lap times were similar to those of the group of riders ahead of me. In the second heat I struggled to find the feeling and some falls slowed down my race. After so long away from competition I knew I would have struggled, but working closely with the team’s technicians I am convinced that already in Mantua we will be able to see the early improvements.”
The second and final round of the 2024 edition of the Internazionali d’Italia Motocross will take place next Sunday at the “Tazio Nuvolari” track in Mantua, Italy. After which the MXGP 2024 will begin!
