Ben Watson reaction on his race debut for Kawasaki Racing at Alghero
By Team TMX on 31st Jan 22
European Motocross Ben Watson Internazionali d'Italia Alghero
New Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP signing Ben Watson got his first pre-season shakedown under his belt on Sunday with a solid fourth place in the opening race of the Internazionali d'Italia, at the tortuous Alghero facility in Sardinia.
This wasn't about an opportunity to shine more learning about his new KX450SR in a true race setting with some of the best in the MXGP paddock. Although Watson suffered a crash and the unsurprising arm pump, he can be pleased with what he took away from his first race on a green machine.
The KRT team had travelled to the Mediterranean island to continue their early-season preparation and took the opportunity to offer the Englishman his first taste of race action on the KX450-SR.
Ben Watson
A solid start in the Super Final saw him holding down sixth place on the opening lap and, quickly advancing to fifth on lap three, he posted lap times faster than the leaders as he closed down the rider ahead of him.
He moved into fourth just before half-distance but, with the front three out-of-sight and no championship points at stake, he sensibly took no risks and simply relished the opportunity to get in useful bike-time on his new mount.
Ben Watson
Earlier in the day, the young Brit had fallen victim to the always hectic tight opening turn at the scenic track overlooking the magnificent coastline. Maintaining his composure he rejoined the race and had already advanced through the backmarkers to 12th at the completion of the first lap.
Three laps later he was seventh but time lost negotiating other riders inevitably meant that the rest of the leaderboard was more than 10 seconds into the distance. Settling into a good rhythm and posting solid lap times he finished just three seconds shy of the top six.
Team HRC's Tim Gajser, Monster Energy Yamaha's Jeremy Seewer and Jago Geerts made up the top three in the Super Final. Seewer took the honours in the MX1 class but had a fight on his hands with Honda 114 Motorsports' Ruben Fernandez until the Spaniard had an off. Geerts was the standout rider in MX2 as he bagged the holey and set sail.
Rider reaction: Watson endures arm pump but relishes factory bike time
"I wouldnt say it was a good weekend but the first race is now in the book," said Watson.
Ben Watson
"We came here mainly for getting into the rhythm of racing on the new bike and learning as much as we can to prepare for the MXGP season.
"The first race I had a lot of arm pump and couldnt ride how I wanted to I had a crash at the start of the race and it was not easy to come from the back, especially here at Alghero as the track is pretty narrow.
"The Super Final was a lot better. I took a good start and was able to ride how I want to. I finished fourth and learnt several things about the bike. It has been a short off-season and Im not yet 100 per cent used to the bike so its useful to do a couple of races before the GP season when you are behind the gate its a very different feeling to training.
"I need to get more and more gate-time; a change of bike always demands a new technique for the start. After what we learnt this weekend well make a few adjustments before the next race at Lacapelle next Sunday."
Ben Watson
Posting to his followers on Instagram, Watson added: "Always a tough one to start but It was great to work in a race situation with the Kawasaki squad and slowly prepare for MXGP so a big thanks to all involved. Next weekend I will race in Lacapelle."
What the manager said
Team manager Antti Pyrhonen echoes Watson's view of pre-season shakedowns and will look to benefit further at Lacapelle Marival and Hawkstone Park. "The first pre-season race is done its always important to do a couple of races before the first GP.
Ben Watson
"Ben had a tough start in the first race when he crashed at the start turn but then he rode a solid race to finish seventh. His second start was good; he had a strong moto and a fourth position is a good start after the winter. We always learn something in these pre-season races, and well keep working as we have two further training races before the opening MXGP in UK."
What next?
The Kawasaki Racing Team and Watson will continue their early-season race preparation next weekend at Lacapelle Marival in central France, then on to Hawkstone Park on February 13. The opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship is set for Matterley Basin in southern England on February 19-20.
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