Ben Watson: “I am not very happy with this race.”
Over the weekend, the track Il Ciclamino in Arco del Trento, Italy, hosted the Grand Prix of Trentino, the 4th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship 2024 and the second consecutive race held in Italy. The summer weather attracted a great crowd that filled the natural grandstands surrounding the racetrack.
Having finished 19th in free practice, Ben Watson (Beta RX450) improved on his position in the time trials, finishing 16th. In qualifying the British rider did not get off to a great start, but thanks to a great comeback he then finished in 10th position. After another good comeback, Ben also finished the first heat in 10th position. He was 14th in the second heat. Ben Watson ended the stage with a good 11th position in the Overall of the day, a position he also holds in the Championship.
Ivo Monticelli (Beta RX450) started the weekend by setting the 14th fastest time in free practice, in the time trials he did even better and finished 12th. In qualifying Monticelli started among the leaders and remained 7th for most of the time. A slight lapse of concentration in the final caused him to lose some positions but he still managed to finish 11th. At the start of the first heat he found himself behind due to a crash but thanks to good speed he was able to finish in the points zone, 19th. Unfortunately fortune was not on Monticelli’s side in the second heat either, when another crash forced him to start last and he finished in 25th position. Ivo Monticelli is now 17th in the Championship.
Ben Watson
“I am not very happy with this race. I was feeling good on Saturday and in the time trials I thought about getting ready for qualifying as best I could. The feeling with the bike and the track was really good and I got a very good 10th place in a comeback. Saturday morning the track conditions had changed. Personally I preferred the way it was before, more technical. In the first heat I started in the middle of the group but I did a lot of overtaking and finished 10th. I was satisfied with the result but I am convinced that with a better start I could have finished further ahead. In the second race I had a problem at the gate and found myself last. I struggled a lot but couldn’t do better than 13th position. There were very few good lines and it was very difficult to make a difference in these conditions. I am happy with the way I rode. Less so with the final result.”
Ivo Monticelli:
“I really wanted to do well this weekend. I was physically OK and had a very good feeling with the track. In qualifying, which I closed in 11th position, I laid the basis for two good heats, but on both occasions I crashed during the first lap. When I restarted I was practically last and had to settle for just a few points. The Championship is still very long and I am looking forward to resuming training to improve my positions in the next races. I would like to thank all the team members for their excellent work. I’ll see you next weekend at Cingoli for the Italian Prestige.”
After the Grand Prix held in Italy, the MRT Racing Team Beta Factory will be involved in the Grand Prix of Portugal on the weekend of 5th May, the fifth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship 2024.
Words and Images by MRT Beta
