Jed Beaton puts on a charge at MXGP of Riga

A first-turn fall saw Jed Beaton forced to fight his way through the field during the opening MX2 moto at the MXGP of Riga. The last rider on track after parting company with his FC 250, a heroic effort on the opening lap saw the Australian work back up to 19th place. Showing superior fitness, Beaton continued his charge, setting his fastest lap of the moto on lap 13 as he worked his way towards an eventual eighth-place finish.

Rounding the first turn of race two in sixth place set Jed Beaton up for a strong second moto. Breaking free from the chasing pack, the 22-year-old made multiple challenges to advance into fifth place but couldn’t find a way through. Crossing the finish line in sixth position the Australian earned sixth overall. Jed maintains third place in the MX2 World Championship standings.

“Another tough GP. Qualifying went great again but I went down in the first turn of the first race,” said Beaton. “I was dead last and just charged the whole moto and ended up with eighth place. That was ok but not really what I wanted. Moto two was better. A decent start and I moved into sixth place so I was in a good position. I had a good pace but after the first race I’d used up a lot of energy. I challenged Maxime Renaux a few times but couldn’t quite make the pass stick. A frustrating day but I’m healthy and looking forward to racing again on Sunday.”

MX2 – Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification:
1. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), 34:34.944;
2. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:06.931;
3. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:15.342;
4. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:18.595;
5. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:19.252;
6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:30.541;
7. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:31.462;
8. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:39.086;
9. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:55.019;
10. Stephen Rubini (FRA, Honda), +0:56.005.

MX2 – Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification:
1. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), 34:33.523;
2. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:09.759;
3. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:22.991;
4. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:26.744;
5. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:28.558;
6. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:29.115;
7. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Yamaha), +0:41.580;
8. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Kawasaki), +0:44.459;
9. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:47.093;
10. Alvin Östlund (SWE, Honda), +1:04.442.

MX2 – Overall Top 10 Classification:
1. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 50 points;
2. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 44 p.;
3. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 40 p.;
4. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 36 p.;
5. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 30 p.;
6. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 28 p.;
7. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 28 p.;
8. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, YAM), 23 p.;
9. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 21 p.;
10. Alvin Östlund (SWE, HON), 19 p.

MX2 – Championship Top 10 Classification:
1. Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 170 points;
2. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 162 p.;
3. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 123 p.;
4. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 116 p.;
5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 115 p.;
6. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 110 p.;
7. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, KAW), 92 p.;
8. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 91 p.;
9. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 89 p.;
10. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 73 p.