Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 leapt into the shallow sand of Mantova, Italy, today, as the historic venue played host to the penultimate round of the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship. The end is near. Jed Beaton and Kay de Wolf continued to push forward at the seventeenth round – the FC 250 riders are locked into fierce battles in the championship standings.
 
It was a solid day for both riders, with Beaton finishing the Grand Prix as the lead Husqvarna pilot. The first moto was actually quite quiet for the entertaining Australian – he started in sixth and reached the finish in fifth. The second stint was where he was the most impressive; he was aggressive from the drop of the gate. Fourth was the position that he settled into early on and then he moved into third by the end, which was enough for fourth in the overall classification. Fourth is also where he sits in the championship standings.

Beaton spent much of the day battling with his teammate, as De Wolf was competitive on the sandy surface and appeared to have a shot at the overall podium. Finishing fourth in the first moto was a strong start and then he made quick progress early in the second moto, before a small crash derailed his momentum. From that point on, de Wolf did what he could to salvage a strong result and reached the chequered flag in tenth place after another small crash on the last lap. That was enough for fifth overall and helped him take seventh in the standings.
 
The final stop on the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship schedule beckons. The eighteenth and final round will be run at Mantova on Wednesday, November 10.

Jed Beaton: "It wasn't a bad day! Another fourth. I mean, the speed and everything is good. I just really need to get the start and try to battle with the front guys early on. I feel like I can do that – the fitness and speed is there. It is just a matter of being there and holding on in those first ten minutes or being in the right position to not get stuck behind someone. The start is the most important thing now. I am looking forward to going again on Wednesday!"
 
Kay de Wolf: "I was P7 in time practice, which was a good start to the day. I had a good start in the first moto and was around P8, but I got up to fourth in the end. I had a really, really good start in the second moto  and was around fourth, but I just lost the front. That cost me quite a few spots, but I managed to get a flow straight away. I had another small crash on the last lap though."