Pauls Jonass on the box in Belgium!
Pauls on the podium – we’ll take that! Our MC 450F racer has shown just what he’s capable of with an impressive third overall at the MXGP of Flanders-Belgium, round six of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Pauls was on the gas all day, placing fourth in race one while in moto two, he led plenty of laps and came up just short of victory in second! Jonass’ MXGP class teammate Brian Bogers enjoyed a quietly consistent day with the
Pauls Jonass: “Just wow! There are so many firsts for me today that there are too many to list! My first podium on the GASGAS, my first laps led in MXGP ever, and my first overall podium finish of the season. After last weekend in Loket we hit the reset button and made a few changes on the bike, and they really helped today with the starts. With the team, we made some great progress before this race, and they really deserve this podium finish as well. Today has given me a huge confidence boost ahead of my home GP and I can’t wait to head out onto the track in front of my home fans next weekend. It’s going to be awesome!”
With a focus on his starts in the week leading up to Lommel, Pauls came out swinging in moto one to quickly slot into third. As the race continued, the Latvian posted consistently fast lap times to maintain his position and was all set for a top-three finish – until Antonio Cairoli demoted him to fourth with two laps to go.
For moto two, Jonass was on the gas from the start. Emerging from turn one in third, he moved into the lead on lap two and with a clear track, put the hammer down to extend his margin over the chasing pack of riders. Leading laps in MXGP is no easy feat and the 24-year-old led nine of them until he was reeled in and passed by Romain Febvre with a few laps to go. Despite missing out on the win, Pauls was rightly ecstatic to be back on the MXGP podium and now aims to take his speed to Kegums for his home GP in Latvia next weekend.
With a soft spot for sandy terrain, Brian Bogers claimed 11th in both races for a solid 10th overall on his MC 450F. Following two strong rides and a pretty decent points haul, the Dutchman’s consistent results elevate him up from 19th in the championship standings to 14th.
Brian Bogers: “It was a solid day today for me. Nothing spectacular, just two solid point-scoring rides and it was tough out there. I ended up 11th in both motos for 10th overall and both races I was able to ride my own lines and I really enjoyed it, despite the weather. I wanted better results, but I did my best and did everything I could so 10th overall is good points and a solid day for me and the team.”
Standing Construct GASGAS Factory Racing will next be in FIM Motocross World Championship action at the MXGP of Latvia, round seven of the series, on August 8.
Results – 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship, Round 6
MXGP – Overall
1. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) 47pts;
2. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM) 41
3. Pauls Jonass (GASGAS) 40
10. Brian Bogers (GASGAS) 20
MXGP – Race 1
1. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)
2. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki)
3. Antonio Cairoli (KTM)
4. Pauls Jonass (GASGAS)
11. Brian Bogers (GASGAS)
MXGP – Race 2
1. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki)
2. Pauls Jonass (GASGAS)
3. Jorge Prado (KTM) 35:56:772
11. Brian Bogers (GASGAS)
Championship Standings – After Round 6
MXGP
1. Tim Gajser (Honda) 226pts;
2. Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) 221
3. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 217
8. Pauls Jonass (GASGAS) 159
14. Brian Bogers (GASGAS) 63
