Gajser wins Latvia qualification to increase pressure in championship battle
KegumsTim Gajser’s fourth qualification victory of the season meant that the gap at the top of the championship is just one point as they head into tomorrow’s two GP-scoring races
MXGP
Tim Gajser’s fourth qualification victory of the season meant that the gap at the top of the championship is just one point as they head into tomorrow’s two GP-scoring races. In an updated Kegums circuit layout, the Team HRC riders got to grips with it quickly, setting the fastest lap in timed qualifying by over a second, and then leading every moment of the qualification race for another deserved victory.
In what is already an intense 2024 MXGP World Championship battle, the #243 wasn’t quite able to reclaim it for tomorrow’s races, but the maximum 10-point total for winning this qualification means that a GP victory tomorrow by more than two points, will be enough for him to reclaim the championship red-plate.
The day started off well with a timed practice lap that none of his rivals could come close to matching, and that gave him the all-important first gate-pick for today’s race. Lining up on the inside, he used it to maximum effect, sweeping around the first turn and grabbing the holeshot. From there, on what is a much-changed Kegums track, he was able to lead the field round, and although he wasn’t able to break free, he was able to keep a big enough margin so that the rider behind never had an opportunity to make any moves. He crossed the line, over three seconds ahead and pleased to have put in such a strong ride, both mentally and physically, which sets him up nicely for tomorrow.
It does seem like there is potential for rain, but the Honda CRF450R rider has proved he is capable in any conditions, and whether the sand is wet or dry, he’ll be challenging at the front of the field and looking for his second GP overall.
MX2
Ferruccio Zanchi continued his impressive form, with a hard-fought MX2 ninth place in the MXGP of Latvia qualification race. The young Italian had riders in front and behind for the entire moto, but was able to move forward throughout the race to score two championship points at this sandy Kegums circuit.
The Honda CRF250R rider has now scored points in nine of his last ten races and is proving himself a solid top-10 performer, in what his an extremely competitive MX2 class. And with two GP-scoring races tomorrow, he has a good chance to get even nearer to the top 10 in the championship, which would really be an impressive feat in his debut full-MX2 campaign.
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), 24:44.584;
2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:02.126;
3. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:20.893;
4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:21.654;
5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:26.376;
6. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:29.049;
7. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), +0:43.721;
8. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:46.659;
9. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:50.628;
10. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:54.055;
Really happy with today’s riding and it was great to get the qualification win to finish it off. I felt good in timed practice, and setting the fastest lap by over a second was a real confidence booster and that gave me first gate-pick. I then was able to use that to take a holeshot and just control the race. I had pressure the entire moto, but I knew my speed was good and it was nice to receive that chequered flag again. Obviously, I want to try and do that again tomorrow, and I think if I can get out front, I’ll be able to make that happen.
Really happy with today’s riding and it was great to get the qualification win to finish it off. I felt good in timed practice, and setting the fastest lap by over a second was a real confidence booster and that gave me first gate-pick. I then was able to use that to take a holeshot and just control the race. I had pressure the entire moto, but I knew my speed was good and it was nice to receive that chequered flag again. Obviously, I want to try and do that again tomorrow, and I think if I can get out front, I’ll be able to make that happen.
It certainly wasn’t an easy race, but I’m very happy to have kept pushing the entire moto and to get into ninth spot. I had some good battles along the way and I think that is really helping me get better and better, and it also makes it enjoyable. I hope I can have a similar performance tomorrow in the two motos and keep up this good run of results that I’m currently on.
It certainly wasn’t an easy race, but I’m very happy to have kept pushing the entire moto and to get into ninth spot. I had some good battles along the way and I think that is really helping me get better and better, and it also makes it enjoyable. I hope I can have a similar performance tomorrow in the two motos and keep up this good run of results that I’m currently on.
That was an important victory for Tim, to hold off the challenge of his main rival the entire moto was a really strong effort from him and it shows that when he starts ahead, he finishes ahead. The aim now is to get the holeshot in the GP-scoring races tomorrow and if he can do that, we should be in a very strong position when we leave here tomorrow evening. Ferruccio also continues to put in good ride after good ride. He isn’t having an easy time, being surrounded by riders but it isn’t phasing him and he keeps working his way forward which is all we can ask.
That was an important victory for Tim, to hold off the challenge of his main rival the entire moto was a really strong effort from him and it shows that when he starts ahead, he finishes ahead. The aim now is to get the holeshot in the GP-scoring races tomorrow and if he can do that, we should be in a very strong position when we leave here tomorrow evening. Ferruccio also continues to put in good ride after good ride. He isn’t having an easy time, being surrounded by riders but it isn’t phasing him and he keeps working his way forward which is all we can ask.
