Team HRC’s Tim Gajser tried his hardest to keep his podium-streak alive at the MXGP of Galicia (Spain), but just narrowly missed out after putting in an extremely impressive second moto charge, keeping himself right in this 2024 MXGP Championship hunt.
The Slovenian rider had second gate-pick after his second-place in yesterday’s qualification race, but he got closed out in both first turns and instead had to battle hard in the opening few corners. In race one, he made a couple of great moves and quickly got himself into third place but a mistake a bit later dropped him right down the field to 12th. From there, he had his work cut-out to get near the podium positions on a track that wasn’t very easy to pass on, but he put his head down and got all the way up to sixth place.
In race two, he was just outside the top 10 around the first bend, but in a series of impressive moves on a number of his championship rivals, he once again moved himself into third place as the top two tried to escape into the distance. Not deterred, the #243 once again put his head-down, posting the fastest lap of the race and quickly closed up on second place. A lap later he had made the move and set his sights firmly on the number one position. As the laps ticked down, so Gajser closed the gap down to just one second and just as he was ready to pounce for the lead, he had an unfortunate little mistake which instead cost him a position.
Riding across the line in third, the five-time world champion was disappointed with how it ended, but he can be proud of the speed and the passing ability he showed on a difficult Lugo circuit. And the good thing is, he doesn’t have long to dwell on this result as the series heads to France next weekend and the hillside track of St Jean D’Angely, where Gajser won in 2022 – the last time the series headed there for a GP.
Ferruccio Zanchi made his return to the MX2 class this weekend and put in a really good set of results, given his time away from the action. The Italian followed-up from his impressive fourth place in the qualification race with an 11th in race one and then a 10th in race two, giving him 10th overall and a good points total for his weekend of racing.
Missing GPs is never easy, especially in your rookie season but the youngster looked right at home, and showed that in the qualification race that he hasn’t lost any speed. The longer two motos today proved a tougher challenge but he still acquitted himself well and kept things consistent on what was a tricky track and now heads to France excited for more races.
Tim Gajser 243
“Obviously, I’m pretty frustrated with how that second race ended and overall, how the weekend went. I felt I was riding much better than my results show but that is motocross and sometimes it doesn’t work out for you. My speed in that second race was really pleasing, to move all the way from around ninth, right the way up into second, setting the fastest lap and catching up to the leader. Unfortunately, I just lost the front at the crucial moment and couldn’t hold it. Still, there is a long way to go in the championship and I’m in a good position and we start going to some good tracks for me.”
Ferruccio Zanchi 73
“It was nice to be back in the thick of the action, having the gate drops and just being back at the races as a whole. Going 11-10 for 10th is a pretty fair reflection of where I was on the track speed-wise and it gives me a good starting point to build-upon. We did a lot of good things and I’m thankful to all the team for the work they’ve done and I’m looking forward to racing in France and trying to work my way up the table.”
Marcus Pereira de Freitas – HRC General Manager – MXGP
“It’s always good to go to new places and this Lugo track certainly provided a good challenge for all the riders. Tim rode really well in all the races over the weekend but the points don’t show that and now we head to France motivated to go again. There are always such close margins in this sport and some weeks it goes for you, and sometimes you aren’t so lucky. Still, the championship is very close and we have only done six rounds and there is plenty of racing to go, so we will keep working hard.
“It was good to have Ferro back with us and he rode really well for his results. It is always hard to come in against those experienced guys and try and slot in straight away but his riding was solid with no mistakes and it is exciting to see what he can do in the coming few weeks.”
Words and Images by Team HRC
