Team HRC’s Tim Gajser wasn’t quite able to pull-off his sixth world title, as despite a second overall at this MXGP of Castilla La Manche, he missed out by just 10 points. It was still an excellent effort by the Slovenian though and he deserves a lot of credit for the way his has battled for the duration of this longest ever World Motocross Championship. Words: HRC
Coming in the weekend, he knew he needed everything to go right if he was to stand on the top step of the podium, but unfortunately on a track that was exceptionally difficult to pass on, he wasn’t able to get into the positions in order to close up that points gap. A second place in the first moto still left him with a chance, but after being forced off the track in the first turn of race two, he salvaged as much as he could by ending up in third place, but that wasn’t quite enough for either the GP overall or the championship.
After 59 races, to lose by only 10 points was difficult to handle but as Gajser handled himself with dignity and true sportsmanship when speaking to the associated press afterwards, paying due credit to the eventual champion, but promising that he would be back again in 2025 looking to regain the title that he won in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
In a season filled with a lot of highs – including a maiden victory at the MXGP of Czech Republic, and an excellent one-one performance in Switzerland, the #243 now puts on the Slovenian colours and tries to get the tiny country their best ever finish in the Motocross of Nations, at the Matterley Basin track in England next weekend.
After an excellent outing in China last time out, Ruben Fernandez was hoping for more of the same in what is a home GP for the Spaniard. Unfortunately, the tight, hard-pack terrain wasn’t to the #70’s liking and although he fought hard every lap, he was only able to manage 13-8 results in this season-finale. It wasn’t what he was looking for, but it is still another good effort after returning from injury just over one month ago. Like his teammate, Fernandez will also be lining at the Motocross of Nations, where Spain have a great chance of getting on the podium, which would be their countries best ever result.
Tim Gajser: “Obviously to come second in the championship and be so close to winning is difficult, but overall I can’t be too critical of the year we had. There were a lot of positives to take away from this year, and even though it is hard to see those right at this moment, I am still proud of what we achieved and to be the second-best motocross rider in the world is still incredible. The team and I did everything we could to make it happen and a big shoutout to all of them for their work in what has been a long and intense year. I couldn’t do it without their support and wish I could have made it happen for them. Now, I have the Motocross of Nations next weekend and then it’s a bit of a break before trying to do it all over again next year.”
Image: HRC
