What has happened to the MX2 class in the last three years, since Jeffrey Herlings moved up to the MXGP class, is amazing. We all thought it was a feeder class to the 450 boys, but after two MX2 riders (Hunter Lawrence and Jorge Prado) beat the AMA 250 champions (Zach Osborne and Aaron Plessinger) at the last two Motocross of Nations, it is clear that the MX2 class is legit.

From defending champion Jorge Prado of the Red Bull KTM Factory team, who has proven to be the fastest 250 rider in the World, with his performance at the Redbud MXoN, where he not only won the MX2 class, but beat AMA 450 and 250 champions Eli Tomac and Aaron Plessinger and also the Open class rider for Team USA Justin Barcia. Now that was a statement.

But it isn’t all about Prado, there are a dozen, yes, a dozen riders who are capable of running in the top three. Thomas Olsen the winner last weekend in England is clearly the second guy in the list, finishing second in Argentina with 2-2 and winning last weekend with 1-1. It might be hard for the others to beat Olsen, as he has confidence and experience, but he knows that he has to look over his shoulder. He also has the support of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team.

The third guy in the list has to be F7H Kawasaki Henry Jacobi, who has really shown amazing form under the watchful eye of Marc De Reuver. Aggressive, and very determined, the German looks very confident in 2019 and could easily have won last weekend with a little luck.

I have to put Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha rider Ben Watson next on the list, but it could just as easily be Tom Vialle in that spot. I give it to Watson because I think he will start cracking in the next weeks and put himself possibly in that third position held by Jacobi.

HRC factory rider Calvin Vlaanderen is also a stand-out of the group at the moment, holding third place in the championship points, but he hasn’t really been exciting yet. Like Watson I think the South African will come good in the coming weeks.

The other Red Bull KTM Factory rider Tom Vialle, what a talent. Two Grand Prix’s and a podium already. One thing I do have to say is, this endurance in England surprised many people as he continued to fight and ran hard until the end of the motos. There is even a little feeling he could pass Olsen for the second spot and we don’t really know how good Vialle can be, can he even beat Prado?

I am bias, but everyone is talking about how Vialle got on the podium so quickly, as quick as Herlings and Prado, but hey guys, the first round in Argentina, Australian rider Mitchell Evans of the 114 Honda team scored a podium on his debut, has anyone ever done that? He might have had trouble last weekend, but his speed was sensational. As a fellow Aussie, I am excited to see how he develops this year.

Another rider who was very impressive last weekend was British rider Conrad Mewse KTM UK). At times throughout the weekend you just had to sit back and enjoy what the young Brit was doing. All style and he just needs to get some starts and show a little more consistency, but the technique is all there for him to go to the very top.

We also have guys like Adam Sterry, Jed Beaton, Jago Geerts, Davey Pootjes, Dylan Walsh, Darian Sanayei, and many more. All these guys have the potential to be on the podium, and often and for some injuries or sickness have held them back until now, or just bad luck like Sterry in the UK last weekend.

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