RACE 2:
OPEN/MX2
The second race featured the
Open bikes (essentially all
450s) and the 250cc riders
again, who had about an hour
break between motos, which
also wasn't much time for the
mechanics to get the muddy
bikes prepped again. Race
two brought out Team France's
Dylan Ferrandis, Sexton, and
Australia's Jett Lawrence, the
250cc AMA Champion who
was making his 450cc debut.
Although the improving
VOLUME 59 ISSUE 39 SEPTEMBER 27, 2022 P69
BUMPED UP
Three regular 250cc riders bumped up
to 450cc machines for the MXoN and all
three had standout rides. Jago Geerts, Jett
Lawrence and Mattia Guadagnini all traded
in their 250s for the big-bores at RedBud.
Geerts won his qualifier and ran up front
with Tomac the whole way in the first MX2/
MXGP moto, while Guadagnini holeshot
and led most of the MX2/Open moto.
Lawrence had the best result with a moto
win and the Open-class overall victory.
NO JO
It was a disappointing weekend for Team
Japan, as it failed to qualify for Sunday's
races. Jo Shimoda was the team's high-
light but falls in Saturday's qualifying and
later in the B Main ultimately ruined their
chances at the big show.
DYLAN WRIGHT
Dylan Wright won the Canadian 450cc
title this year, winning every moto. At the
MXoN, he logged a 10th in his final moto
and ultimately finished 11th in the MXGP
overall rankings. He was the best of the
Canadians, which as a team finished 15th.
MISSING CHAMPS
This year's MXoN was missing two of
its top stars—MXGP World Champion
Tim Gasjer and MX2 World Champion
Tom Vialle. Unfortunately for Gasjer, his
home country of Slovenia chose not to
send a team. Team France went with the
veteran Marvin Musquin for its 250cc
rider, while Vialle preps for his assault on
Supercross and MX in the U.S. next year.
Other noticeable absentees included Ro-
man Febvre who was left off the French
roster this year. Germany's Ken Roczen
skipped the race in favor of focusing on
the upcoming, two-round World Su-
percross Championship. 2021 MXGP
champ Jeffrey Herlings is still recovering
from a heel injury.
Briefly...
