There are a handful of tracks that Swiss rider Jeremy Seewer really enjoys and, while the Loket circuit in the Czech Republic is a tough track for many of the 2024 series contenders, Seewer loves the place.
The factory Kawasaki racer is known as a consistent rider and his podium run at Loket is more than a little impressive and he’s looking forward to extending his successful run at round 13 of the world series there this coming weekend.
In the MX2 class in 2016 Seewer finished second to Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis at Loket, then in 2017 Seewer finished second in the MX2 class behind Latvia’s Pauls Jonass at Loket.
In 2019, Seewer came home third behind Frenchman Romain Febvre and Slovenian Tim Gajser in the MXGP class and his run of good results didn’t stop there.
Loket was missed from the 2020 calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in 2021 Seewer again finished third behind two MXGP legends in Jorge Prado and Antonio Cairoli, before winning it in the MXGP class in 2022 and then finishing third again in 2023 behind Febvre and Prado again.
“Loket is a track I have done really good at in the past. I won, two GPs there I think, always on the podium there, so let’s see if I can do okay there. I am not going to put any pressure on myself. I can’t go into a weekend at the moment saying I am going to win, that is not where I am at and that is just how it is. If I can’t make it happen there, then there is definitely something wrong. We keep trying you know.”
While the results haven’t been what he wanted in 2024, the Kawasaki man felt a lot better last weekend in the second of the two Indonesian GPs in Lombok as his bike was more to his liking.
“I felt much better and to be honest, I had a completely different bike, who knows why. It was way better this weekend, so we are trying to figure out what was the issue last week, because something wasn’t right.
“I was quite disappointed with the final result; my pace was OK, but many things happened. The track was better in this direction, but it was difficult to make passes as everyone at the front had a similar pace.”
Without question, the rider from Switzerland is one of the competitors who really loves the vibe in Indonesia and the experience of travel. Always seen out and about on a scooter, or taking a run, Seewer knows that these long trips to far-away places should be enjoyed as much as possible.
“It was a relaxed week with a little surfing and a trip to a small island as well as running and gym every day. Honestly, I am always open to this kind of thing.
“I don’t want to be negative, and I still try and have fun. I went surfing a bit, went to Gilli Island and I tried to be happy. You need to maintain the standards as a professional athlete, and as I get older, I feel different about things, but that is normal. I enjoyed it and now it’s time to go home.”
So, we will all wait and see if Seewer, having maybe one of his most challenging seasons in many years can turn back time and again make the podium at Loket. After his improvements in the second GP in Lombok, you get the feeling he might just be able to do it.
Photo courtesy Pascal Haudiquert
Words by Geoff Meyer
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2024 STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 12:
MXGP – World Championship Classification:
1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 608 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 574 p.; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 557 p.; 4. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 429 p.; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 411 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 360 p.; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 327 p.; 8. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 274 p.; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 264 p.; 10. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 259 p.
MX2 – World Championship Classification:
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 576 points; 2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 527 p.; 3. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 509 p.; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 471 p.; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 455 p.; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 399 p.; 7. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 346 p.; 8. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 341 p.; 9. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, KAW), 228 p.; 10. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 226 p.