Coming into the 2024 MXGP World Championship there was a lot of excitement to see what Jago Geerts could do a 450cc machine. The Belgian is very talented and has a superb smooth technique. However, his rookie season has been one to forget. Geerts did get to represent Belgium at the MXoN but he’ll be looking to have a strong winter to prepare for the 2025 season to remind everyone what he is capable of.
We caught up with Geerts at the MXoN to discuss his rookie MXGP season and more…
GateDrop: Jago, just before we touch on the season, obviously you signed with factory Yamaha for your rookie MXGP World Championship season. First of all, what was the winter like preparing for your first season in MXGP? Obviously I think the Yamaha 450cc was different than the bike you would have raced at RedBud for the Nations, which was your first 450cc race?
Geerts: Yeah, the winter was already quite difficult. I got like a virus and I didn’t ride until mid-January, so I didn’t have a lot of time to set up the bike. Actually the first few pre-season races went quite well considering that I didn’t have much time on the bike, but obviously then I crashed in Argentina and I was out again, so that was quite difficult.
GateDrop: I wasn’t aware you had the virus over winter. Was it Epstein-Barr virus or what was it? I’m guessing it was pretty bad if you didn’t have that much time on the bike?
Geerts: Yeah, I don’t know the virus exactly, but it was not good. I did some physical training, but my heart rate was always elevated and I didn’t feel good. So yeah, it was tough, but in the end I took a break for two weeks, I did completely nothing and after that it was much better.
GateDrop: So now no problems with the virus now, you are 100%?
Geerts: No, no, now it’s okay. Also before the season it was gone and then I was immediately feeling much better.
GateDrop: That’s good to hear and then obviously you go to Argentina. What was the feeling like turning up to Argentina? It was going to be your first MXGP race. Obviously you never got too far in the end, but just what was it like being in Argentina? What was the feeling like?
Geerts: It was good, I was feeling ready for the race. Also in the timed practice, because I felt good, I was 7th or 8th in the times. So I was ready for my first MXGP race, but then we happened to crash in the qualifying race, so it was not a good start to do the 450 career. But yeah, I have now a few races to end the season and then see for next year.
GateDrop: And obviously picking up such a big injury on your MXGP debut, just how tough was that to deal with mentally? Because obviously you were out for quite a long time and you guys work hard to be in the best shape possible and I’m sure, especially what you showed at RedBud, you can ride the big bike… So it must have been pretty devastating?
Geerts: Yeah, it was a difficult time for sure. The first few weeks when I couldn’t do anything and just sit on the sofa, that was difficult. But after I could start again slowly, some cycling inside and stuff. But time went faster and was getting better and I was looking forward to be back.
GateDrop: Obviously you came back at Lommel, which was your home GP. Just how ready do you think you were for your home GP? And I think it was either free practice or timed practice, I think you had another big crash… Did that set you back? Was that the problem that weekend, the crash? Or maybe you weren’t ready to come back? Just what was it like from your shoes?
Geerts: Purely physically and stuff, I was ready. But I was just struggling with the bike. I didn’t have much time to set it up before the season and then we saw it’s not good. I did some mistakes and that’s why I also didn’t ride on Sunday because I already had a crash on Saturday and I just needed more time on the morning.
GateDrop: You came back at Arnhem, that’s probably been the best weekend of your season so far. I actually thought that GP was a good progress for you, I think you had two top tens or in around that… You must have been happy with that after such a tough season?
Geerts: Yeah, it was quite a good weekend in Arnhem. I felt not so good, not really that good, but I had two good results so it was nice. And then obviously the week after I crashed, someone crashed in front of me and I hit him and then the bike fell on me and I burned myself so another small setback. But now we had more time on the bike and more time to prepare and it’s fun that I can do the Nations again.
GateDrop: On Switzerland, I think you had a crash there, how tough was that to deal with then? Because you’ve just had a good weekend, you’re thinking you can end the season on a high now and again something else happens, it must be very frustrating.
Geerts: Yeah, it was not fun, like I said, I crashed in the qualifying race, it was someone crashed in front of me and I burned myself on my bike so yeah, not fun. I had a few difficult days but after that I just started riding again and just didn’t think about anything and no pressure and just did my thing and now I’m back.
GateDrop: How many weeks have you had back on the bike now, feeling good let’s say, because obviously you never race Spain, probably a good decision, there weren’t too many happy riders there with that track but how are you feeling now and how many weeks have you had back on the bike?
Geerts: Yeah, I think I had four or five weeks of good training so I’m feeling really good, the best I’ve felt this season. I made a few changes to the bike that made me even more comfortable and now it’s just, yeah, feeling good. I didn’t have any trouble the last few weeks so just looking forward to riding and doing a race.
GateDrop: I think last year you moved to Monaco, are you still living there and what’s it like living there?
Geerts: Yeah, I’m still living in Monaco, I really enjoy it there. In Belgium it’s getting more and more difficult with the tracks and stuff and in Monaco you always have good weather, it’s good for physical preparation and a lot of tracks, so yeah, I really like it there, it’s a little different.
GateDrop: How many tracks are there in Monaco that you can ride, I wasn’t actually aware motocross was a good place there and are you living on your own there, what’s that like?
Geerts: Yeah, I’m living on my own, I think we have like really close, we have five or six tracks but you can go to Italy, you drive two or three hours and you have 50 tracks, so it’s quite fun.
GateDrop: Sounds good, and then obviously once this Motocross des Nations is over, have you got any plans, do you think maybe you’ll take a bit of time off and reset yourself or will you continue to ride and build it up for next year?
Geerts: Yeah, I’m planning to do the race in Valkenswaard next week (note: Jago raced and got third overall), and then I think we have some testing. After that I will take a small break and recover and then start preparing for next year.
GateDrop: How motivated are you for next year, because obviously this year you weren’t able to show what you can do in the 450cc and also you must appreciate the team sticking behind you, you know, through the hard times, I think good times are around the corner…
Geerts: Yeah, I think so, you know, I’m extra motivated for next year and the team they keep believing in me, so it’s fun, and then yeah, I’m looking forward to have a good year. Next year just the main goal is to do every race and just have a few good results.
GateDrop: Thank you very much for your time, hopefully next year we’ll see you at every GP and see what you can do in MXGP!
