07-03-2022	MXGP News
Maxime Renaux shines at the 2022 MXGP of Lombardia

Seven days on from a successful start to the 2022 FIM Motocross World Championship, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP trio leapt into the second event at Mantova earlier today. The jump-laden track that has played host to countless rounds in recent years welcomed fans from across Europe, who were keen to see the YZ450FM-mounted trio in action.

Jeremy Seewer continued his impressive run of form in the qualification heat on Saturday, as he fought for the win and eventually secured the second pick of the gates for the point-paying motos. Coming across the line in fifth and tenth respectively, Maxime Renaux and Glenn Coldenhoff also started off on positive notes. Conditions were fairly similar from one day to the next – no rain ensured that the surface was perfect for a superb day of on-track action.

Similar to the opening round, Renaux leapt into the first race of the day like a man on a mission and refused to settle. Renaux shadowed the leaders after moving into third on the second lap and desperately tried to edge close enough to launch an attack. Third was the spot that he eventually secured, but he entered moto two with momentum and the confidence that came from setting the quickest lap of the race. Renaux went one better in that second moto – he reached the chequered flag in second and secured the same spot in the overall classification! To make the weekend even sweeter, he jumped to third in the standings.
 
Jeremy Seewer was frustrated at the conclusion of the Grand Prix of Lombardia, as small mistakes restricted him in the results column. Seewer ran in third early in moto one, before a small crash pushed him onto the cusp of the top ten. Recovering to fourth was a very impressive effort and set him up well heading into the second moto. There were more small errors in that moto though and, once again, he had to fight from the lower half of the top ten to salvage a fifth at the chequered flag. A 4-5 scorecard left him in fifth overall at round two. Seewer is fourth in the championship standings.

For Glenn Coldenhoff, race day at the Grand Prix of Lombardia was a valuable learning experience. Mantova is a unique circuit and he searched for some comfort throughout the day, whilst battling his way to 17-14 moto scores. Seventeenth overall was his final ranking – he is already hungry for redemption at round three of the current campaign.
 
A break in the 2022 FIM Motocross World Championship calendar will give Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP the necessary time to prepare for a jaunt across the ocean to the Grand Prix of Patagonia-Argentina. The third round will be held at the fabulous circuit of Neuquén.

Maxime Renaux: "The first podium for me here at Mantova, so I am very happy. Second overall is really good! I had two solid motos and I am very happy with how it went. It was a little bit sketchy, riding this track on a 450F in my first season. It was not an easy task with all of the bumps, and I needed to watch out for the engine power sometimes, but fortunately I did not make any mistakes or crashes. That was really important and I am happy with my first podium in the MXGP class."

Jeremy Seewer: "I actually feel really good with everything, but I just could not make it happen this weekend. I made some stupid mistakes, but this is Mantova. There are many square-edge bumps. Looking at the positives, I was at the front of the start in both motos. I messed it up twice with small crashes in both races though. It's tough to come back through the pack on this track and I did well to pass so many riders, but it was not enough. It's quite frustrating, but the season is long and I am still in the game. That is the most important thing."

Glenn Coldenhoff: "I didn't feel great today. I was struggling quite a bit. The practice sessions were good, but from that moment on I felt like the track got really sketchy. No excuses though – I just didn't feel right. We tried hard to get comfortable, but it didn't work in the first moto and it was a little bit better in the second. If you look at the results, I am disappointed."