Husqvarana rider Ben Watson was able to make last minute plans and arrangements to join the MX2 field for the Qatar and Thailand Grands Prix and the first two rounds of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship.
The 19-year-old was initially due to sit out the ‘flyaway’ events of the series as the Hitachi Construction Machinery Revo squad goes through a period of transition from KTM to Husqvarna machinery but thanks to Richard from Contract Furniture UK he found the means to source a stock FC250 locally in Losail and Suphan Buri to make the gate.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “I feel I have done a year’s ‘warm-up’ in MX2 and now I am ready for it. I have to say a big thanks to the people that have made this happen.”
Facing just his second season, the highly-rated former EMX250 European Championship race winner was initially disappointed to learn he would not be contesting the opening fixtures (Watson also missed Grands Prix in Mexico and the USA at the end of 2015 due to the same limitations) but took matters into his own hands for his second trip to the Gulf State, even if the technical provisions to hand are not ideal.
“I’m not too worried about the results to be honest,” he admitted. “I just want to show how I can ride. My main aim is to have fun out here.”
MXGP team-mate Jake Nichols is still on the path to full race fitness and Grand Prix speed after two years in the injury wilderness. The former MX2 podium finisher is expected to join the MXGP paddock come round three at Valkenswaard in Holland.
