Are we witnessing a changing of the guard in world motocross?

Team Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit rider Joel Roelants scored his maiden victory in the FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship round at Kegums in Latvia at the weekend and observers are tipping it won’t be the last time we see him on the world podium.

The 23-year-old Belgian, now in his sixth year of GP competition but in his first year with Kawasaki, was in dominating form as track conditions changed by the minute as a series of showers hit the scenic track in the Baltic state.

After a patient start to the opening moto on a rugged track which had to be treated with respect, Joel took over the lead on the eighth of 19 laps and immediately pulled away for a clear-cut victory, more than 10 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

A heavy storm immediately before race two left the track waterlogged and the Belgian star was forced to discard his goggles after only a few laps, but, after stopping for fresh eye protection, he surged back through the field until he held second place, sufficient to clinch his first-ever GP victory.

British team-mate Tommy Searle suffered wretched luck in his challenge for the world title as misfortune beyond the control of either the rider or the team forced him out of both motos within a couple of laps.

In the first moto a rock damaged an oil pipe as he moved up to challenge for the lead, whilst in the second race a tyre defect caused his retirement as he again looked set for a major points haul.

The double helping of bad luck was a savage blow after Searle had moved ever closer to the pace in recent GPs. He now trails the series leader by 41 points, but with six GPs remaining can still turn this around and both rider and team will continue to battle for glory.

“I’m so happy to win my first GP today after six seasons of racing in the World Championship,” said Roelants.

“We worked hard this winter and the season started well, but it has taken me some time to recover from my big crash at round three in Italy. In Sweden I had a good feeling again, and I was confident here as rain has never affected my riding. In the first moto I waited patiently for a few laps and then passed both Jose Butron and Jake Nicholls in the same corner.

“My goggles got filled in already at the start of the second moto because of all of the water on the track and I had to stop for fresh goggles, but I had good speed all day and was able to recover to second in the moto and that was enough to secure my first-ever GP win.”

Photo courtesy Kawasaki