Tim Gajser extended his points lead last weekend at the MXGP of Spain with 24 points clear from second place rider Antonio Cairoli. This weekend the MXGP starts it first of three GP’s at Lommel with the Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders.
Live Motocross caught up with Tim ahead of this weekend to see how he felt about Spain and looking ahead to Sundays racing action at Lommel.
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Tim congratulations on another strong weekend of racing for the MXGP of Spain. You have extended your points lead in the MXGP Championship 24 points ahead with 441 points from Antonio Cairoli. How does it feel to extend the lead?
It is always good to have the red plate, but there are still six rounds left and plenty of points available so I can’t afford to drop my concentration levels. I try not to think about the championship race too much, and prefer to just go out and enjoy my riding and if I do that, then I am confident that the results will come.
It was the first time the GP has been held in Spain since 2018 when the season opened at Red Sand MX Park. What were your thoughts on the track as it got rutty quickly on Sunday?
I thought they did a good job with the track. It had some big jumps and like you say, it got rutted with a few different lines available. For a first time effort, it was very impressive and as an event, it was very well organised too.
Qualifying you went out and managed to get pole with an impressive time of 1:51.274 which you were 0:00.321 quicker than GASGAS rider Glenn Coldenhoff. What were your thoughts on qualifying?
I was very satisfied with my timed laptimes in qualification. It was a new track for everyone, with no previous year settings for anyone to use so to come out on top just shows how well I’m riding, and how well the team is working to get the best out of the Honda CRF450RW.
Moto one we saw some fantastic riding from yourself, you were third in the opening lap and dropped down to fourth before taking third back from Clement Desalle. How was the opening moto for you?
I didn’t get the best start out of the gate but I was able to make quite a few passes early on in the first lap. This meant I crossed the line in fourth place which is where I stayed for a few laps. Then I think both Romain and I got around my teammate Mitch and although I tried to pass Romain for second, I wasn’t quite able to make it happen. It was difficult as we were all going similar speed and I didn’t want to take too much of a risk.
The final moto you were 2nd in the first lap and gave Jorge Prado a run for his money during the moto going tyre to tyre to take the lead. Your times were showing that you were a lot quicker than Jorge Prado in Sectors 1 to 3 where you ended the moto 2nd and took 2nd for the GP overall. What were your thoughts on the moto and the battles you had with Prado?
I was happy with my performance. I tried to make a move early on and even got around Jorge but I couldn’t make it stick and he quickly got back ahead. Again, we were running a similar pace and I kept with him for most of the race but once I saw that Romain had dropped off a bit in third, I kind of settled back and took second place for second overall. Of course I want to win, but sometimes it isn’t possible and you have to take what you are given.
Looking ahead to this weekend in Belgium for the first of the triple headers, what are your thoughts are you looking to improve on your performance from Spain?
I think Lommel will be a much different occasion than Spain. The weather will be a lot colder and the track will be a lot tougher. There should be more lines and passing should be a lot more possible. I proved last year that I am able to ride fast here and win the overall and that is what I want to do again in the three rounds here. It won’t be easy of course but I know I am capable of winning and that will be my target.
Words by Darren Bachelor | Photo Credit: Honda Racing Corporation
