The Agueda track in Portugal hosted the fifth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship 2024. The heavy rain in the previous days and the race weekend made the track absolutely challenging and treacherous, challenging both riders and bikes.
Right from the start Ben Watson (Beta 450RX) showed good speed and finished 13th in the qualifying heat. In the first moto, held under a strong rainstorm and really difficult track conditions, the British rider was the author of a wonderful comeback. Starting from around 15th position, he recovered and crossed the finish line in 7th position. A similar script was also occurring in race two, but unfortunately the rider was slowed down by a mechanical problem that emerged after a crash. Despite the problem, Ben was 14th in the Day’s Overall and moved up to 10th in the Championship Standings.
The track conditions did not help Ivo Monticelli (Beta 450RX), who started with a 22nd position in qualifying. In the first heat Ivo was forced to withdraw after a few laps. The second heat was a bit luckier and Ivo finished in 19th position, earning points for the Championship.
Ben Watson
“The first part of the weekend wasn’t easy because the track was very technical and I struggled to find the feeling I needed to get a good lap time. I changed a lot of things on my bike and for qualifying I found a setting I felt more comfortable with. On Sunday morning it started raining heavily and I knew the race would have been difficult. I started in the middle of the group and continued to give my best despite the track conditions. I was riding very well but I made a small mistake while I was fifth. With dirty gloves and grips I crashed twice and lost a couple of positions. Race two was again marked by very difficult conditions. At the start of the heat I almost had to stop to put the tear-out lenses of my glasses back in place. Slowly, I climbed back up to eleventh position but unfortunately I made a small mistake in which I slightly damaged the bike and could not finish the race as I expected. I’m sorry for ending the weekend like this, but let’s take the positive aspects of the first race and focus on the next round in Spain.”
Ivo Monticelli
“The GP of Portugal was one of the toughest of my career. I don’t remember ever having raced in such difficult conditions and every time I took to the track I really struggled. In the first heat I had to stop and in the second heat I only managed to pick up two points. Not exactly what I expected from this race. My speed was good and I am sure that without the constant crashes I could definitely have done better. Now we have to leave today’s disappointments behind us and focus on the next race in Spain where we have to get back to the positions we have proved we deserve.”
On the next weekend MRT Racing Team Beta Factory will be racing on the Iberian peninsula for the Grand Prix of Galicia, hosted by the Lugo track.
Words and Images by MRT Racing Team Beta Factory
