2022 MXGP of Sweden Podcast & Written Race Recap
Vialle stretched his lead to over 10 seconds while Geerts looked like he was closing in on second and happy to take the points rather than take any unnecessary risks. In the end Vialle won the race ahead of Geerts, Horgmo and Längenfelder who were able to hold off Haarup until the checkered flag.
In race two, the Fox Holeshot was secured by Längenfelder who was ahead of Horgmo, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Thibault Benistant, Vialle and Geerts. Benistant was quick to move into second place after passing Horgmo on the opening lap, as Vialle did the same shortly after.
Meanwhile, Geerts found himself battling with Moosdijk as the pair swapped positions a couple of times, although the Belgian was able to make it stick and secure fifth as he set his sights on Horgmo.
On the second lap, Benistant crashed out of second and restarted in eighth which meant that it was Längenfelder, Vialle, Geerts, Horgmo and Moosdijk who were in the top five.
Geerts caught sight of Vialle and began to push, setting the fastest lap of the race. However, the pass ended easily, as Vialle made a small mistake and crashed. The Frenchman was able to quickly get going right behind Geerts.
Moosdijk passed Horgmo for fourth, as Geerts closed down the straight at Längenfelder, but the German wasn’t going to give up the lead easily as he made Geerts work hard for it until lap 11. By then Vialle was right there too, meaning Geerts couldn’t put a foot wrong if he wanted to win the race.
Vialle had a much easier pass on Längenfelder who made a mistake and then it was game on between the two title contenders until the checkered flag. Despite the pressure, Geerts was able to take it home, to win his eleventh race of the season.
A 2-1 result also put Geerts on the top step, as he and Vialle finished the weekend tied on points. Vialle was forced to stand on the second step, while Längenfelder scored his fifth podium to finish third.
After 15 rounds, Geerts maintains a 23-point lead over Vialle, while Längenfelder remains in third place. Three rounds remain and it will be a close fight for the MX2 title between Geerts and Vialle.
Jago Geerts: “I am really happy about today. In the second heat Simon was really tough to pass, I really needed a couple of laps to find a good place. But in the end I managed to pass him, and I won the GP. So, I’m really happy about that, the points have been the same, so it was a really positive weekend for me and now I’m looking forward to the next weekend in Finland, again on a sand track, which is always fun to ride.”
Tom Vialle: “I felt good all weekend on the track. The first race was really good for me, I rode well and I was able to control a bit while Jago crashed. I had a gap of five or six seconds and won the race like this. And then I had a little crash myself in the second race and I was about six seconds behind Simon and Jago. I was able to catch them but it was difficult to pass but we all rode very fast. And Jago didn’t make any mistakes so I didn’t really find any places to pass him. Of course a bit disappointed that I didn’t win the GP but the point difference is the same, so it wasn’t too bad in the end.”
Simon Längenfelder: “I’m back on track, which I’m happy about. In the first race I got a good start but slept a bit, so went back to fourth. And then I was stuck behind Kevin Horgmo and I tried to pass him but couldn’t make it happen at the end of the race. Then went into the second race and took the Fox Holeshot and I just tried to do well. In the first 20 minutes I rode well and then when Jago and Tom passed me I made some mistakes and lost some ground on them. But all in all I’d say it was a good weekend. And now I’m looking forward to the last three rounds.”