MXGP Rookies: Olsen and Watson

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory rider Thomas Olsen and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory rider Ben Watson will debut in the MXGP class in 2021, and already many people are seeing these two as springing some surprises on the leading 450 contenders.

Both big strong riders who often seemed too big for the smaller 250 machines and if their pre-season form says anything, we will see both Olsen and Watson on the podium on occasions, and maybe a GP victory isn’t out of the question too. Olsen is excited how well he relates to the Husky MXGP team after spending a handful of seasons working with Rasmus Jorgensen in the MX2 outfit.

“I have good chemistry with the new team,” Olsen said. “They are doing a good job and there is only so much you can do on a race weekend. It is weird, because Rasmus and I have worked together for five years and he didn’t miss a single race in all those years. It was different, but it’s going really well with the IceOne team and we are riding a lot and riding nice tracks in Sardinia and it brings the group together more when you move to a new team.”

Olsen knows that while he has the speed, he will need to improve his starts as he doesn’t have much experience in races on the bigger bike and has in the past has struggled with starts in the MX2 class.

“I still need to improve my starts, as I haven’t had that many on the 450 yet, and I will keep working on my physical, but I know when the summer comes it will get more difficult and I am working on that, but we are in a good starting point and no matter the results from these races we took a lot of experience. We need to work on starts and a few mistakes here and there.”

Watson will enjoy some really good preparation as his team-mates are two very experienced racers, both with MXGP victories. No doubt the three will make life easier for each other when the season starts in Holland in late May.

“Jeremy and Glenn are two of the best teammates I could ask for,” Watson said. “I am looking forward to getting started with both the guys as they seem to be open to riding and training together and just generally helping each other improve. They were both successful in MX2 and have continued that success into MXGP, so I think they can help me with the transition to the 450 and give their opinions on what they think I should or shouldn’t do entering this new challenge. I know I will enter the new season blind having never raced most of the MXGP riders before, but that is what makes this new chapter so exciting. I am going to gain so much experience and I look forward to developing in a lot of different ways.”

So, keep your eyes open when the season begins in a couple of months, as the two MXGP debutants try and continue the success they both had in the MX2 class. With names like Tim Gajser, Jeremy Seewer, Jeffrey Herlings, Jorge Prado and Antonio Cairoli being the favourites to take GP victories, these two MXGP rookies will no doubt have a lot to aim for against the MXGP regulars.

Photo Copyright: Bavo Swijgers