Monster Energy Yamaha MX2 factory rider Jago Geerts is very much an improved man. Having finished a strong third in last years MX2 championship points, and came into 2020 looking bigger, stronger, and more confident.

No doubt the exit of Jorge Prado and injury to Thomas Olsen in the early going of this years championship opened the door for the likes of Geerts to get his first GP win, but still, the way Geerts went about his debut GP victory at Matterley Basin was impressive.

Having held the red plate, and won his first GP of his career, you get the feeling the Belgian youngster has placed himself into a much better position when we return to the MX2 World championship. More experience and new goals when we return you could say.

Having worked with former World MX1 and MX2 champion Steve Ramon now for a few years the relationship might just bring Belgium that World title they seek now for 13 years. The last man to win for Belgium was in fact Ramon back in 2007, and no doubt the aim is to hear the Belgian national anthem played a lot in 2020 and for sure at the final GP of the season.

We made an appointment to call Jago at 7pm last night, and when he didn’t answer it would be easy to think the rookie was busy working hard to prepare for when he can race again. Sure enough, five minutes later I got a call back and a very polite and friendly Jago Geerts answered my questions.

MXlarge: Jago, thanks for doing this. How have you been in lockdown?

Geerts: It has been boring, a couple of months now. It is much better the last two weeks; we can train again, and I am really happy we can ride again and start to prepare for the rest of the season.

MXlarge: Obviously, you are a young guy, rather inexperienced, I can imagine this time to prepare is great for somebody like you who has so much improvement in him. Coming into those first two rounds, you looked like a completely different rider compared to last year. Could you feel that improvement in the winter?

Geerts: Yes, we made big steps in the winter, the bike is a lot better and I feel better physically and riding wise, just a year older and more experienced.

MXlarge: You are working with Steve Ramon, and what I found funny while watching you at Matterley Basin and Valkenswaard is how much you ride like Steve and also a little like Stefan Everts. Has Steve given you that, or is it just a coincidence?

Geerts: Yes, Steve has helped me a lot the last three years and I think we have the character and for sure we have the same riding style. I know when I started training with him, he taught me some things and I think now I am getting even closer to his riding style.

MXlarge: I was speaking to Marniqu Bervoets a couple of weeks ago and we talked about his career, that maybe he was too nice a guy and settles for whatever the team said, and that was his weak point. I asked him about you, what are you like, and he told me you are difficult and your mind set is more like a champion that you don’t just settle for something to make the team happy and you want the best for yourself and your career. For a young man, that is a good character trait.

Geerts: Yes, sometimes yes, but it is difficult to say about myself. It can be difficult, but during the winter, we worked together really well, and we made so many improvements and I am really happy about that and we saw that big step forward in those first two GPs.

MXLarge: I know Jorge is gone from the class and Thomas was injured early in the season, but did you still surprise yourself in Matterley with the way you rode and getting the win?

Geerts: Yes, I did a little bit, because the last few years I didn’t have the best results at Matterley and I was surprised to win the first heat, but then I was really confident and I knew I had the speed and I won my first GP there, so I was really happy about the week.

MXlarge: There is something special about the red plate, it seems to look good no matter what colour the bike is. How was that turning up at Valkenswaard and seeing the red plate?

Geerts: Yes, it was really nice to ride in Valkenswaard with the red plate. The track is really close to my home and it is like a home race for me. It was really a special feeling and although it was early in the season, it is nice to have the red plate.

MXLarge: Did you feel pressure from carrying the red plate?

Geerts: No, I didn’t feel any pressure, I felt okay. It didn’t mean that much in the second GP and it was a good weekend, just that big crash at the start of the second heat, but I still got the podium. It as really muddy and slippery and I just slipped away and had a big crash, and that was unlucky, but that happens.

MXLarge: All riders have their goals, maybe first be a top 15 guy, then maybe top ten, maybe get on the podium, win a GP, carry the red plate. A lot of things you need to cross before becoming a World champion to prepare you for it. You now have a GP win, and have held the red plate. Do you feel you are better prepared now for the championship?

Geerts: Yes, for sure. I had a similar experience when I was racing a couple of years ago in the EMX class. So, I learnt a few things back then and now it was a nice experience.

MXlarge: I am sure you have been told a million times, but Belgium haven’t had a World motocross champions now for 13 years. I can imagine that is the goal, and what type of pressure does that bring?

Geerts: That is for sure the goal to be World champion. Of course, it is really difficult, because only one person can be World champion. I want to work hard and try and be the World champion, but one champion a year and it is difficult. Some fans talk about it, but I just want to do my best and see where we end up.

MXLarge: Can you remember that era of Steve Ramon and Stefan Everts?

Geerts: I remember, I watched a lot of races on television, but I was small then. I remember being in Lierop when Steve became World champion and I remember that still pretty good.

MXlarge: Liam Everts is making big improvements and while he is only in the EMX class, he looks like he will also be a talented GP rider. That must be nice to think maybe there are two of you fighting for World titles in the near future.

Geerts: Yes, it would be really good for the sport in Belgium, because we didn’t have too many good riders coming up, and now I am in the MX2 class and maybe Liam is coming up soon, and I hope also more come more young talents.

MXLarge: There is talk of two GPs in Belgium, that would be perfect.

Geerts: Yes, for me it is really good, and I live like 10 minutes from Lommel and it is also one of my favourite circuits, so I hope we do get two GPs there.

MXLarge: Obviously, we are still trying to work out when we come back. Cases and deaths are right down in many countries, riders are able to ride again, and borders are opening up. Do you have a feeling when you think we might be back racing again?

Geerts: For me, I think it will be maybe possible to start in August, and for sure they need to change the calendar again. I think we need to do more races in Europe and maybe the double GPs is a good idea to reduce the travelling and the cost. 

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