MXGP: Ben Watson defies injury pain at Grand Prix of Argentina

By Press Release on 21st Mar 22

MXGP Ben Watson

Ben Watson and Jed Beaton gritted through pain for points at the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina on Sunday to record solid scorelines in the third round of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP's Watson defied the pain of a two-week-old knee injury to complete the entire two-day programme around the demanding track on the outskirts of the community of Villa La Angostura in the Patagonian region of Argentina and come away with a top-10 placing in the second moto.

The KX450-SR took the British rider to a top-10 start in both motos, as he conquered the discomfort to remain cool throughout both motos. Watson finished the first race 14th and pushed forward to 10th during the latter stages of the second 35-minute race, scoring sufficient points to retain 12th place in the series points standings.

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Ben Watson: "It was another very tough weekend. I was far from my potential again but I am trying my best to put my weaknesses behind and get back to myself as soon as possible. I felt better in the timed sessions but struggled in the races more than I should have. I didn't feel I could ride to my potential but I tried to salvage everything I could. All the team worked hard to try to find areas to improve and we will keep going in this direction."

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F&H Kawasaki's Beaton was also carrying an injury from the previous GP and entered race day in Argentina coming off a massive collision during the first lap of the Qualifying race. With less track-time than his rivals and a gate-pick on the extreme outside after the incident, he inevitably needed some time to settle but regrouped to clinch 13th in the opening moto, adding 11th in race two to advance from 11th to ninth in the championship standings after three rounds of the series.

Jed Beaton: "It was a pretty difficult weekend for me I still have a sore shoulder from Mantova and don't have as much strength in it as I would like. And it didn't help crashing in Quali and landing on it again.

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"I was so far wide at turn one from the gate pick but I managed to do the best I could with the cards I was dealt. I wasn't riding at the level I should have been, but I'm just glad to be going home safe.

"The next GP is at Agueda where I got my first GP podium in fact, I like all the tracks coming up and look forward to getting my shoulder back in shape so I can perform to my ability."

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