THIBAULT BENISTANT – CHASING A WIN

At just 22 years of age, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team’s Thibault Benistant continued to be something of an enigma in the sport for those who have the talent, can win Grand Prix’s and sometimes come up short.

While he has a handful of GP wins to his name, it has been two years since his last, when he won at his home Grand Prix at Villars sous Ecot in France on the 21st of May. On that day, it was clear, he can beat anyone when his game is on.

Since starting his career in GP back in 2020, he has finished fifth in the World twice and top ten on four occasions. Currently fifth in the MX2 series points and 42pts behind fourth placed man Liam Everts, it would seem he might be headed for another top five in the World, if he can maintain his current form.

In the last round of the MX2 World championship in Lugo, Spain, he showed a lot of that talent and came close to being a podium man. A victory on the Saturday gave him huge confidence and as he has shown in the past, his speed is never in question.

“The weekend (in Lugo) was probably the best weekend of my season so far as I had good results in all three races. It was a shame to miss the overall podium today and it’s partly my fault because I wasn’t always looking at the pit board to know the points situation. If I knew I needed to make a pass, then I’d have taken some risks for sure. But overall, my speed is good and so is my fitness, so I think I’ll have some even better results as the season continues.”

The rider from Avignon in France was spectacular on the Saturday in Spain, winning the MX2 qualification race and was focused on bringing that speed into the two Sunday races. When the start gate fell in Race One, the 22-year-old reacted quickly, claiming the holeshot and leading the way for two laps. After dropping to second, Benistant was pushed back to third around the halfway mark and maintained that position to the finish.

Benistant didn’t get a good start in race two, as he tangled with Kay de Wolf shortly after the gate dropped. Within a couple of laps, however, the Frenchman climbed to fifth, then moved into fourth by lap five. An intense battle for fourth then began, with Benistant on course for third overall until he dropped to fifth in the closing stages. Ultimately, after losing his position, and with the points incredibly close, Benistant placed fifth overall. After eight rounds, he remains fifth in the MX2 World Championship standings.

With Lugo out of the way, and his confidence building, you can be sure that the Yamaha factory rider will want to make the most of the next month, on hard pack tracks like Ernee and Teutschenthal, two tracks that should suit him and hopefully he can get on the box at both rounds. He has already finish top three on the hard pack of Trentino and St Jean d’Angely, so it is very possible to find him on the podium this coming weekend.

Now, as he heads to Ernee, in France and his home Grand Prix, this weekend, the three time Grand Prix winner and with eight race wins to his name, it is clear, he has the talent to win and what a place to do it, in front of that huge hillside spectators area at Ernee, and with his beloved French fans screaming his name.

Photo Credit: Fullspectrum