Liam Everts tops MX2 GP podium at Teutschenthal, Germany
By Team TMX on 12th Jun 23
Red Bull KTM’s Liam Everts became the third generation of the Belgian Everts family to win a round of the FIM Motocross World Championship joining grandad Harry and father Stefan in the history books following his win at round nine of the series at Teutschenthal in Germany. A 2-1 scorecard was enough to seal the deal for Liam and he was joined on the podium by teammate Andrea Adamo who regains the MX2 championship lead and Monster Energy Yamaha’s Thibault Benistant.
The big news coming into the event was the return of Jago Geerts who’d broke his wrist in the qualifying race of the French GP three weeks ago. Following successful surgery, Geerts was able to grit his teeth and grind out 13-7 finishes on the rough circuit in an attempt to keep his championship hopes alive. Jago now sits fifth in the series standings – 64 points behind Adamo.
Everts holeshot race one but couldn’t keep 16-year-old countryman Lucas Coenen behind him. The Husqvarna Factory Racing rider instantly moved into the lead and rocketed away to lead home Everts and Adamo.
A great ride for ASA United GASGAS entrant Bobby Bruce saw him claim 15th as the last rider to stay on the lead lap. Taylor Hammal just missed out on points in 21st while Charlie Cole battled to 26th in his first GP moto of the year.
Coenen also set the pace in moto two with Everts and Adamo taking chase once they’d got around the fast-starting Geerts who was doing all he could to maximise his points haul. With the laps counting down and Coenen already spending the bonus cheque in his head, he suffered the cruellest of blows when his chain snapped putting him out of contention. This handed Everts the lead and he duly delivered career first moto and overall victories for the Red Bull KTM team.
“It’s definitely nice to win this one,” said Liam. “We made some good steps with the bike and I felt ‘at one’ with it. The pressure is not easy in my shoes. I’m the third generation of our family and I have to perform. I proved something this weekend. It is a load off my shoulders but I want to keep going. I felt good and could push right to the end of that second moto. I stayed smooth and counted down the laps. Hard work pays off!”
Adamo followed his teammate across the line to make it a Red Bull KTM 1-2 on the day. “It was not the best day of the season so far but really good for the championship,” said Andrea. “I made two mistakes, one in the quali race and another in the first moto and it felt like I was always losing the lead group somehow. My riding was not the best. In the second Liam was really fast so I just tried to bring it home and with good points. I did my best.”
Monster Energy Yamaha’s Thibault Benistant rounded out the podium with his 4-3 scorecard moving him up to second in the series standings as the red plate proved heavy for Kay de Wolf as the series leader coming into the German GP could only muster 11-10 finishes as he moved from first to third in the championship chase.
No points for the Brits in moto two with Cole a non-starter and Bruce and Hammal both early retirees.
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