Team Honda 114 Motorsports rider Mitch Evans finished third overall in the MX2 Class at the opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Argentina.
After qualifying sixth, the young Australian started off well in Moto 1, rounding the first corner inside the top 10 and he worked his forward until he finished in fifth place, just four seconds behind third place.
Then in race two it went even better as he crossed for the first lap in second place. He held this position for four laps before dropping one spot but was still able to receive the chequered flag in third place, which gave him the winning second moto tie-breaker after tying with both Calvin Vlaanderen and Henry Jacobi on 36 points. He was joined on the podium by overall winner Red Bull Factory KTM’s Jorge Prado and second place finisher Husqvarna’s Thomas Kjer Olsen.
“I couldn’t be any happier, I didn’t really know what to expect being my first GP,” said Evans after the event. “I enjoyed every moment of it, it was awesome being here, the fans were awesome so I really enjoyed it. I knew the work that we put in during the off season and the preseason races that we had if I got good starts I could run with these boys.”
Round two of the MX2 world championship takes place at the Matterley Basin facility in England.
Results MX2 Neuquen 2019
1. Jorge Prado (SPA) Red Bull KTM (1-1)
2. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN) Husqvarna (2-2)
3. Mitchell Evans (AUS) Honda (5-3)
4. Calvin Vlaanderen (RSA) Honda (4-4)
5. Henry Jacobi (GER) Kawasaki (3-5)
Standings MX2 2019 after 01 of 19 rounds
1. Jorge Prado 50 points
2. Thomas Kjer Olsen 44
3. Mitchell Evans 36
4. Calvin Vlaanderen 36
5. Henry Jacobi 36