Factory Husqvarna rider Jed Beaton led the opening MX2 racing of the MXGP of Spain before finishing third, then placed 10th in race two after charging back from a start-straight crash.
Jed Beaton enjoyed a positive opening MX2 moto in Spain. A strong start saw Jed challenge for the lead, initially making the pass stick before slipping back into second position. Unable to get close enough to mount another attack on the race leader, Beaton eventually lost second place to his teammate Thomas Kjer Olsen in the closing stages of the moto, ending the race in third.
Knowing that he had the pace to run up front in the second moto, Beaton’s race unravelled quickly as he suffered from a crash as the pack headed into the first turn. Lucky to avoid injury, the Tasmanian was quick to remount and began a race-long charge that saw him move into 10th place by the halfway stage of the moto. Unable to make any further impression on the top 10, Jed ended the race in 10th – a solid, damage limiting ride to maintain his third-place ranking in the MX2 World Championship.
“The day started off really well. I felt great in the first moto, track was fast, but it was coming around,” said Jed Beaton. “I was in second and briefly led the race, which was good but I just wasn’t able to make another pass. I was confident going into race two. My speed and fitness are on point but going into the first turn a few of us came together and I had a pretty big crash. I was lucky to not be injured and it was disappointing, but I came back to 10th for sixth overall so, not bad for the championship. I’m still third so I’m hoping for two strong races next weekend.”