Tim Gajser took his first ever MX2 Grand Prix victory yesterday in Trentino, Italy, in spectacular fashion, riding faultlessly to secure a second in race one and a win in race two to take the top step on the podium.
Despite coming under increasing pressure from Jeffrey Herlings, with the gap down to barely over a second on the final lap, Tim proved unflappable on the CRF250RW and made history to become the first Slovenian to win a Grand Prix. It’s also the first MX2 victory for the Honda Gariboldi Racing team, and the first for Honda since the Bulgarian Grand Prix in 2009.
On the other side of the garage, Sullivan Jaulin successfully completed his first MX2 Grand Prix with the team, making good progress to finish 22nd overall on a track unfamiliar to him.
Giacomo Gariboldi, Team Principal
“It’s the first win for the team in MX2. After so many years it’s just such a great feeling. We’ve been working so hard with so much support from HRC. It’s a dream come true; I’m so happy. Not just for Tim and for the team, but for all the Japanese who support us so much and put so much into this mission to win.
“For everyone it’s a first today: first for Tim, first for the team, first for Slovenia, and also the first for Honda since 2009. It’s unbelievable how strong he was when he saw Jeffrey [Herlings] coming, and it’s fantastic that he beat him in a straight fight. I think this can be the click in his head where he knows he can win.
“I am also happy with the performance of Sullivan this weekend – it was his first MX2 Grand Prix and his first time at this track, so to be running in the top fifteen for a lot of the races, and to make a good start into eighth in the second race is very good.”
Tim Gajser, no.243
“It’s an unbelievable feeling to take my first win – I can’t describe it! I’ve been feeling really good here all weekend, and we had a good qualification race here yesterday. In the first race I didn’t make such a good start but came back into second, and in the second race I made a better start and was third, then made the passes for the lead. I tried to manage the gap but Jeffrey was closing so quick. On the last lap especially I could hear him behind me, but I’m so happy that I managed to keep him behind me. All the team has been working so hard and I really want to thank Honda and HRC. It’s the closest GP to Slovenia so it was also so great to have so many fans and supporters here, to be able to hear them cheering, and to take this win in front of them. It’s very very good feeling.”
Sullivan Jaulin, no.211
“This weekend I made my first GP and I scored points in both races, so it’s been pretty good. I’m happy especially with the start in the second moto, and if I had made a start like that in race one I think I could have been a lot better.
“I got a bit of arm pump so it was difficult, and I just tried to keep my place for the longest time possible. At one time I was 14th for a long time, so I’m happy with that. With the bike I was feeling better and better, but the track was really rough and tricky so I didn’t feel comfortable on it all the weekend. Thanks again to the Honda Gariboldi team for their support and allowing me to make my first GP this weekend.”