Gajser has strong showing in Dutch sand
ArnhemHonda HRC’s Tim Gajser continued his impressive return from a shoulder injury with a fifth place in the MXGP of the Netherlands qualification race, held at the sandy Arnhem track.
Honda HRC’s Tim Gajser continued his impressive return from a shoulder injury with a fifth place in the MXGP of the Netherlands qualification race, held at the sandy Arnhem track. Ruben Fernandez was just a couple of places behind him in eighth place as the pair showed their prowess in the soft-stuff and gave hope that they can challenge even higher in tomorrow’s GP-scoring motos.
After the second-fastest time in free practice, the #243 then posted the third fastest time in timed practice, so the speed was on display right away for the Slovenian. The good gate-pick made his live easier for the qualification race, with the Honda CRF450R roaring round in the first corner in second place. From then until the chequered flag, he was involved in constant battles on a very tricky track, eventually crossing the line in fifth place and giving himself a good chance for more points tomorrow. At this stage, every lap logged is useful, so for him to be fighting with the championship leaders in just his second race back is excellent and bodes very well for the final three races in the series.
Fernandez’ speed was also good to see after a disappointing second moto in Sweden last time out. It took both the practice sessions for the #70 to get comfortable, but once the qualification race began, it was immediately obvious that the Spaniard was a man on the move, working himself all the way up to eighth by the time he received the chequered flag. With the longer motos tomorrow, the CRF450R rider will be hoping he can move up even higher, but he’ll also be hopeful that the improved gate-pick will allow him to start closer to the top guys, which he’ll then try to run with.
Things were also looking more positive for Valerio Lata in the MX2 class, as the Italian placed fifth in free practice before posting 10th fastest in timed practice. After another excellent start he was just outside the top five, but although he was gradually dropping down the field as the race progressed, it still looked like he’d score a couple of points and give himself a nice boost of confidence. However, a small crashed dropped him down to 13th and he instead crossed the line, frustrated to have let those points slip through his fingers. It was a shame for the youngster, but he’ll get a chance to right that wrong in the two Sunday motos and try to finish this last European GP off strongly.
I was happy with my riding today, on a pretty sketchy track. With the sun and the shadows, it wasn’t easy to see all the bumps and ruts but I felt that I kept a good pace and showed that I can run up front. I wanted to make sure I avoided any big mistakes and I did that, so then it was just staying with those top riders and I think we did well there too. It was good to be there and I think there is more to come tomorrow.
I was happy with my riding today, on a pretty sketchy track. With the sun and the shadows, it wasn’t easy to see all the bumps and ruts but I felt that I kept a good pace and showed that I can run up front. I wanted to make sure I avoided any big mistakes and I did that, so then it was just staying with those top riders and I think we did well there too. It was good to be there and I think there is more to come tomorrow.
It definitely didn’t start out well, as I struggled to put in a good laptime in free practice and also in timed practice. I had 17th gate-pick, and I knew that would be tough, but I got a good jump and was just outside the top 10 early on. I worked my way through the field up to eighth by the end of the race and I’m happy with that because I my speed was good and I felt strong. Tomorrow, with a better gate-pick I should be nearer the fast guys and from there I can score some good points.
It definitely didn’t start out well, as I struggled to put in a good laptime in free practice and also in timed practice. I had 17th gate-pick, and I knew that would be tough, but I got a good jump and was just outside the top 10 early on. I worked my way through the field up to eighth by the end of the race and I’m happy with that because I my speed was good and I felt strong. Tomorrow, with a better gate-pick I should be nearer the fast guys and from there I can score some good points.
It was frustrating to make that mistake a couple of laps from the end, and drop out of the top 10. I felt this was one of my better rides recently and I was really trying to keep it consistent and not try to fight the track and go with the flow. My laptime was okay in timed practice, but then I got a good start and was in sixth place for the first half of the race. I knew the last few laps would be tougher as the track got rough, but I was still doing decent laptimes until that mistake. Now, I just need to focus on getting another good start tomorrow and avoiding any errors and I think it can be a successful day.
It was frustrating to make that mistake a couple of laps from the end, and drop out of the top 10. I felt this was one of my better rides recently and I was really trying to keep it consistent and not try to fight the track and go with the flow. My laptime was okay in timed practice, but then I got a good start and was in sixth place for the first half of the race. I knew the last few laps would be tougher as the track got rough, but I was still doing decent laptimes until that mistake. Now, I just need to focus on getting another good start tomorrow and avoiding any errors and I think it can be a successful day.
Solid day for the trio, with Tim showing he really is finding his form quickly after his comeback. He looked strong today in all the sessions and was battling with the championship leaders in the qualifying race, like he’d never been away. It was very encouraging and we’re excited to see what he can do tomorrow. Ruben also got better in every session and his race-speed was very impressive, so we’re hoping he can mix it up with the top five in the longer motos. Unfortunately Valerio wasn’t quite able to bring it home in the points, with a crash late in the race. It was a shame, as much for his confidence as for the lost points because he has been working hard and this would have been a good reward. Still, he has tomorrow to try and make amends.
Solid day for the trio, with Tim showing he really is finding his form quickly after his comeback. He looked strong today in all the sessions and was battling with the championship leaders in the qualifying race, like he’d never been away. It was very encouraging and we’re excited to see what he can do tomorrow. Ruben also got better in every session and his race-speed was very impressive, so we’re hoping he can mix it up with the top five in the longer motos. Unfortunately Valerio wasn’t quite able to bring it home in the points, with a crash late in the race. It was a shame, as much for his confidence as for the lost points because he has been working hard and this would have been a good reward. Still, he has tomorrow to try and make amends.
