Solid performances from Fernandez and the returning Gajser at Loket
LoketTeam HRC’s duo of Ruben Fernandez and Tim Gajser put in a solid day of work in the brutally hot conditions at the MXGP of Czech Republic, finishing fourth and sixth respectively in the qualification race.
Team HRC’s duo of Ruben Fernandez and Tim Gajser put in a solid day of work in the brutally hot conditions at the MXGP of Czech Republic, finishing fourth and sixth respectively in the qualification race. Earlier in the day the pair went one and two in the timed practice session, giving everyone a glimpse of just how fast the Team HRC riders are, and what could be in the store for the rest of the class in this 2023 season.
On his return after a 10-month absence from the GPs, reigning MXGP World Champion Tim Gajser showed his travelling supporters that speed isn’t a problem as he laid down a time that no-one could match in timed-practice. His time was 0.7 seconds ahead of teammate Fernandez and showed that the month he has spent riding after his recovery from the broken femur, has been well spent, and that his return was perfectly scheduled. At Loket, the start is critical and the #243 was understandably a bit rusty getting out the gate, but he was still able to work his way into sixth place, which is where he stayed for the duration of the moto. It was a solid return, without any major incidents and one that gives a lot of hope that he is already close to being back to his championship-winning best.
For Fernandez, he continued his excellent form with a fourth place, battling with the rider in front for a podium position before eventually having to settle for seven points. As always, passing was at a premium and the Spaniard just wasn’t able to make any moves stick on the slick hard-pack terrain, but it was still a good effort and gives him belief that with a slightly better start, he can hold his own and get back on the podium once again.
Temperatures should be a bit kinder tomorrow, but the track layout will still continue to challenge the best motocross riders on the planet as Fernandez and Gajser try to garner as many points as possible in the two GP points-scoring motos. While Gajser has nothing but pride at stake, Fernandez is right in the hunt for third place in the 2023 MXGP Championship and he’ll be trying his best to make that happen in this 12th round of the campaign.
I knew I was fast here in Loket, but I also know that it is a track that you need to be concentrating 100% on at all time, because it can catch you out quickly. Second in timed practice was good, especially as Tim was the fastest so that was a nice show of the Honda speed, and then in the race I came fourth so I’m happy with how that went. I think I can do better tomorrow though, and that’ll be my aim when the gate drops.
I’m very happy to be here, racing, and enjoying all the support from the fans. The results aren’t so important today but it was nice to have the fastest time in practice and get the first gate pick for the qualifying in my first race back. That shows that my speed is already good, so now it is just a case of working on building my race-pace and my fitness to where it needs to be. I didn’t want to push too hard in this race because the track was pretty one-lined and sixth was okay for the first time back. I’m looking forward to tomorrow when I’m sure I’ll see and hear even more fans!
It was great to have Tim joining us this weekend, and it was really great to see him and Ruben one and two in the timed practice session. It is what we hoped we would see, but to have it on Tim’s first race back is a real positive and a good indication of how fast the Honda CRF450R is. The racing at Loket is always difficult, as passing is so hard to do, so a fourth and sixth are decent results that give us a good chance for better finishes in tomorrow’s motos.
