Nederlands
Thibault Benistant of the Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing team gave good account of his potential at the international racing event in Arnhem. The results of all his sand training became evident with a strong third place finish in the second heat. In the first race, an early crash forced him to play catch up to eventually finish 15th.
The Hutten Metaal Yamaha racing team has not been in action at a racing event since the beginning of March, due to coronavirus lockdown issues. The international event at Arnhem attracted a host of fast riders, all of them keen to finally get racing again and to build up race rhythm. Almost the entire top ten of the MX2 world championship series reported for duty. Gianluca Facchetti opened the eyebrows during qualifying with the third fastest time, Benistant took a steady approach and posted the 14th fastest time.
The first race yielded ups and downs for the team, Gianluca came back from 11th to seventh, but some problems forced him to retire from the race. Thibault had an early crash and had to resume the race from the very back. He fought for all his worth to eventually finish 15th.
Thibault was out to set matters straight in the second race. He started with the leading riders and rode strongly throughout the race. He kept the two leaders honest for a long time, and his lap times were very encouraging. He eventually crossed the line in third, and secured eighth overall for the day. For Gianluca it became a day to forget, with another forced retirement.
Dave Kooiker was out for his first ride since his injury in the 125cc class. He still battled to find his race rhythm, but finished eighth and ninth in the races respectively nonetheless. This gave him invaluable bike time, and he is ready to fight for higher placements in races to come.
Next weekend Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing will participate in the international race in Axel.
Overall 250 class Arnhem:
1 Jago Geerts 50 Pnt
2 Thomas Kjer Olsen 37 Pnt
3 Roan van de Moosdijk 36 Pnt
4 Jed Beaton 36 Pnt
5 Ben Watson 34 Pnt
8 Thibault Benistant 26 Pnt