Tim Gajser and the Honda Gariboldi Racing team are set to continue an incredible debut MXGP season together in the UK this weekend, at the Matterley Basin track where #243 has mixed memories.
The Matterley Basin track in Hampshire, southwest of London, was the scene in 2014 of Gajser’s career-first MX2 GP podium, when a fourth and a third were enough for third overall. It started a run of another five podiums throughout the rest of 2014, and of course provided the foundations for the Slovenian’s MX2 World Championship title the following year.
In a bitter twist though, he was ruled out of the MX2 race last year after a crash in warm-up in which he received a bang to the head. As his flamboyant style has smoothed to suit the bigger bike since moving ‘full-time’ to the CRF450RW, such instances are now the exception to the rule, and Gajser has had an astounding start to his debut MXGP season.
Leading the World Championship by 24 points, the reigning MX2 World Champion has stood on the podium at every single MXGP World Championship round he has entered. He’s taken five overall Grand Prix victories including nine moto wins, led 44 per cent of the racing laps and set the fastest lap in 11 of the 20 motos.
With Frenchman David Herbreteau still sidelined from action after fracturing his ankle during the MXGP of Spain, Jorge Zaragoza will line-up alongside Gajser on the lone CRF250RW.
Tim Gajser, no.243
“I have some good memories of Matterley because of my first MX2 podium there in 2014, so I’m looking forward to going back. I like the track as there are big jumps, lots of ruts and the ground is good. I’m sure it will be another hard battle like last time in France with Romain, but I am ready, relaxed and just having fun.”
Jorge Zargaoza, no.101
“We had a better weekend last time in France and were closer to top ten, even with the crash in race two which meant I had to come from the back. I hope we can build on this in England this weekend, as our goal is still to be inside the top ten in both motos. That’s what I want and will push hard for this weekend. We’ve been working hard since France so I’m feeling strong.”
Giacomo Gariboldi, Team Principal
“I’ve said it before, but the more you look into the numbers and the stats, the more impressive it is what Tim is doing this year. We’re seeing a rookie dominate like I don’t think we have before in the MXGP class which is quite incredible. I’d say that he’s fast at Matterley, but then he’s proving himself to be fast everywhere. Nevertheless, it’s where he got his first MX2 overall podium, so it’s a bit of a special place for him and we’re hoping to continue this season’s gre