The MXGP of Portugal was BRUTAL. An absolute mud fest. Extreme weather conditions outright battered Agueda’s distinctive orange soil, making the event more a battle of survival, than a true-blue Grand Prix.

However, despite the INSANE ruts and treacherous conditions, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team shone with Rick Elzinga celebrating his first-ever MX2 podium finish, and Thibault Benistant securing his second consecutive piece of podium silverware in 2024.

At the same time, the premier class ended with mixed emotions. Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s new recruit, Andrea Bonacorsi, was the highlight of the weekend, with the young rookie making an impressive MXGP-class debut aboard a works #,YZ450FM while Calvin Vlaanderen struggled to get comfortable in the wet, rough and rutty conditions.

In the most gruelling of racing environments, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP's newest recruit, Andrea Bonacorsi, made a splash at the fifth round of the MXGP World Championship in Agueda, Portugal, powering his YZ450FM through the mire to start his MXGP career on the cusp of the top-five!

Go inside the MXGP of Portugal raw and unfiltered with Bona during his MXGP debut and the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team as they storm to a season-best double podium finish with Rick Elzinga and Thibault Benistant finishing second and third, respectively.

A damp and drizzly week leading into the Portuguese Grand Prix turned torrential just two laps into the opening MXGP race on Sunday afternoon, transforming Agueda's distinctive orange soil into an unforgiving quagmire of mud and muck. The combination of deep ruts and slippery sections tested the skills of even the most seasoned MXGP riders in the world. For 'Bona', as a newcomer to the MXGP class, his 450cc debut could not have been under more challenging circumstances.

Yamaha story and video/Fullspectrum image