Hot on the heels of Monday’s MXGP of Switzerland, comes the MXGP of Trentino, at the picturesque and historic Pietramurata circuit in northern Italy, a venue that has hosted some truly epic rounds of the world motocross championship.
Unfortunately, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, who has created many of those moments won’t be attendance but he’ll be cheering on from his home and supporting Ruben Fernandez who will be aiming to get back up front again after the Swiss round, where he was battling around fifth place. However, after last weekend’s timetable which was affected by the Easter Holidays, the #70 has one less day to get ready before this weekend which returns to the traditional Saturday-Sunday format.
After winning the opening event in Patagonia-Argentina, Fernandez has had to battle hard in the next two rounds to maintain that level on tracks that weren’t favourable to the Spaniard, but now, although Pietramurata isn’t his favourite track, it is a track he scored three podiums in a row on in 2021, so he knows how to do well and that’ll be the aim this coming weekend. The Honda CRF450R rider currently sits in sixth place in the championship but with fifth place just seven points ahead, this will provide additional motivation.
Currently there is heavy rain today, which then clears up for the majority of the weekend, so the track should be in good condition by the time the MXGP riders get out on the circuit for their free and timed practices on Saturday. This is then followed by the qualification race on Saturday afternoon, before a Sunday morning warm-up and the two motos in the afternoon completing the schedule for this fourth round of the 2023 MXGP championship.
Ruben Fernandez 70
I think in some ways it is good to have this GP so close after the Swiss race because it gives me a chance to do some things better right away. I know I wasn’t used to riding such deep ruts like we had in Frauenfeld, but I feel in Trentino it is more a surface I know and importantly, I know I can ride well on. Of course, a lot of riders are in the same situation because we have ridden this circuit so much in the last few years but the goal is to get back amongst the top guys and challenge for the podium spots once again.
Tim Gajser 243
I am really disappointed to be missing the Trentino GP. I have had so many good races there, and the crowd is always so great and always cheering me on, so it is an event I really look forward to. My recovery is still going well, I am getting my strength back to where it was in my leg and my doctor has said the progress is impressive. I will be trying to get back on the bike soon, and once I do that, I will have a much better idea of when I’ll be back at the races. I want to wish Ruben and the team the best of luck this weekend, and also to say a big thank you to all my fans who continue to support me during this time. I really miss not being with all of you and I hope to be back soon.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
We’ve had a lot of good memories in Trentino, but this will be the first time back there without Tim and obviously this is the place where he crashed, so there will be mixed feelings when we get there. The short week after Switzerland doesn’t give us too much time to prepare but the team are all professional and know what needs to be done to be ready for another GP weekend, where we are all going to be trying to get Ruben back near the podium.
Words: Honda Racing Corporation | Photo: @shotbybavo
