Dominant Gajser gets Swiss 1-1 to double MXGP Championship lead
FrauenfeldTeam HRC’s Tim Gajser put in two superb motos to take victory at the MXGP of Switzerland, scoring a maximum 50 points and increasing his lead from nine to 18 points
MXGP
Team HRC’s Tim Gajser put in two superb motos to take victory at the MXGP of Switzerland, scoring a maximum 50 points and increasing his lead from nine to 18 points, with three rounds remaining of the world motocross championship. It was the Honda CRF450R riders’ first one-one performance of the season and a timely one, given the fast-approaching end to this highly competitive 2024 series.
After a second place in yesterday’s qualification race, the #243 used this to his advantage to round the first corner of each moto inside the top 10, on what ended up being a much ruttier and more technical track due to overnight rain. From there, he made a number of quick passes on lap one, so that by the time they crossed the line for the first time, he was already into the lead. It was exactly what he needed to do with his competition right behind him, but they ended up having no match for the speed the Slovenian was able to show, and he pulled out a gap very quickly and controlled the moto, receiving the chequered flag 14 seconds ahead.
Knowing the job was only half done, and that every point counts at this stage, he tried his best to replicate the same in race two, but starting from a bit further back, his job was made a bit more difficult. Still, once he found his rhythm, he moved from fourth to first in four laps, putting on a masterclass in passing, before once again pulling out a gap to cross the line and spark scenes of celebration amongst Team HRC.
With rounds in Turkey, China and then finishing in Spain, Gajser knows that he needs to keep this momentum up if he wants to win his sixth world championship, but he is very confident and highly motivated to finish the job after what has been an excellent 2024 so far.
Teammate Ruben Fernandez also showed some great fighting spirit on his return to GP racing, going 17-9 for 11th overall, which could have been a lot better had another rider not collided with him midway through race one. This dropped him from 11th position and meant he was in survival mode for the rest of that moto. It certainly didn’t deter in race two though, as the Spaniard got a top 10 start and kept himself there for the rest of the moto. With a weekend off before Turkey, Fernandez can assess his performance and work on some things before heading east for the overseas double-header that sees the series go back to China directly after the round in Afyon.
MX2
A season-best sixth place for Ferruccio Zanchi in race one of the MXGP of Switzerland, meant the Team HRC rider was able to equal his best points total and continue showing everyone that he is closing in on the top five guys. The conditions were at their most difficult as the MX2 riders took to the track for the first moto but that didn’t deter the Italian and he rode consistently and error-free to grab 15 points. Race two wasn’t quite as successful, but ninth place is still an excellent result and gives him some confidence for the final three rounds of the 2024 MX2 World Championship.
Race 1
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), 35:29.269; 2. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:01.313; 3. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:13.749; 4. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:16.506; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:36.702; 6. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:56.030; 7. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +1:03.550; 8. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:50.398; 9. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:30.119; 10. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +1:41.699;
Race 2
1. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), 34:39.275; 2. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:12.029; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:15.975; 4. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:17.720; 5. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:18.398; 6. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:22.041; 7. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:23.845; 8. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:37.770; 9. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:45.287; 10. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:50.114;
Overall
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 45 points; 2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 43 p.; 3. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 38 p.; 4. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 36 p.; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 34 p.; 6. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 33 p.; 7. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 27 p.; 8. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, HON), 27 p.; 9. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, KAW), 23 p.; 10. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 21 p.;
I am obviously very happy with how today went, just feeling really good on the bike and being able to show that on the track. A big thank you to all of Team HRC because we continue to work really hard and it’s moments like these that we need to enjoy because that work has come together. Both races, I had some really good lines that allowed me to make the necessary passes and once I got into the lead, I was able to control the rest of the race. I’m really excited to head to Turkey as it’s a track I like and keep this momentum going.
I am obviously very happy with how today went, just feeling really good on the bike and being able to show that on the track. A big thank you to all of Team HRC because we continue to work really hard and it’s moments like these that we need to enjoy because that work has come together. Both races, I had some really good lines that allowed me to make the necessary passes and once I got into the lead, I was able to control the rest of the race. I’m really excited to head to Turkey as it’s a track I like and keep this momentum going.
I’m pretty happy with how today went, considering it was my first race back after a long time. My speed was good, and if it wasn’t for a coming-together in the first moto, I’m sure I could have been fighting for a top 10 in both races. I was able to lead some laps yesterday and that was great and this gives me a great platform to build upon in the last three rounds of the season, on tracks which hopefully I like a bit more than this one.
I’m pretty happy with how today went, considering it was my first race back after a long time. My speed was good, and if it wasn’t for a coming-together in the first moto, I’m sure I could have been fighting for a top 10 in both races. I was able to lead some laps yesterday and that was great and this gives me a great platform to build upon in the last three rounds of the season, on tracks which hopefully I like a bit more than this one.
Two top 10 results, my best moto finish of the season – sixth - and the joint-highest GP points tally I’ve had this year, so I have to be happy with this weekend. Getting that sixth was really good and gives me confidence that I am closing the gap to the top guys, so now I need to try and do that in both races. These next three rounds will all be new tracks for me, but I’m excited for them and hoping to keep up the progress.
Two top 10 results, my best moto finish of the season – sixth - and the joint-highest GP points tally I’ve had this year, so I have to be happy with this weekend. Getting that sixth was really good and gives me confidence that I am closing the gap to the top guys, so now I need to try and do that in both races. These next three rounds will all be new tracks for me, but I’m excited for them and hoping to keep up the progress.
What a weekend for everyone! For Tim to go one-one is just excellent and a big boost heading into these last three rounds. He rode superbly and thoroughly deserved this victory and increasing the gap to 18 points is a big step in the right direction after some tricky rounds. Still, we can’t afford to take it easy now and I’m sure he’ll be fully focused and prepared for Turkey in a couple of weeks.
Ruben also had an excellent race, given that he has missed 16 rounds of racing. He led some laps yesterday, and battled hard for his finishes today on a track that really wasn’t easy. It is never easy to comeback into this MXGP class, but we’re going to help him as much as possible and we’re sure it won’t take too long before he is back up to speed.
Ferro also had his best finish of the season, with a sixth in race one. Considering how long this rookie season has been, he seems to keep improving, which is all we can ask of him and we hope that can continue in these last three rounds.
What a weekend for everyone! For Tim to go one-one is just excellent and a big boost heading into these last three rounds. He rode superbly and thoroughly deserved this victory and increasing the gap to 18 points is a big step in the right direction after some tricky rounds. Still, we can’t afford to take it easy now and I’m sure he’ll be fully focused and prepared for Turkey in a couple of weeks.
Ruben also had an excellent race, given that he has missed 16 rounds of racing. He led some laps yesterday, and battled hard for his finishes today on a track that really wasn’t easy. It is never easy to comeback into this MXGP class, but we’re going to help him as much as possible and we’re sure it won’t take too long before he is back up to speed.
Ferro also had his best finish of the season, with a sixth in race one. Considering how long this rookie season has been, he seems to keep improving, which is all we can ask of him and we hope that can continue in these last three rounds.
