Tim Gajser continued his perfect MXGP podium record today with third overall at the MXGP of Europe at the Valkenswaard track.
In a masterful display in race one, he took both the holeshot and the victory in very tricky conditions as the track’s surface became increasingly rutted and deep. He looked to be lining up to do the same in race two as he took the lead part-way through the opening lap, but then his race was upset by a few small mistakes compounded by time lost when the bike stalled.
Crossing the line in eighth was still sufficient for third overall though, which keeps the Slovenian firmly second overall in the World Championship.
In MX2, David Herbreteau had a solid debut weekend with the Honda Gariboldi squad, riding to a 13th and a 14th in the two races, but both times fighting his way through the field from outside the top 20 at the start.
Jorge Zaragoza made another of his customary flying starts in race two, emerging in fourth and looking ready to settle in to a strong top ten finish. Unfortunately, a small crash early on caused the hand guard to be bent into the clutch level, applying enough pressure for the clutch to slip which brought a premature end to his race.
Tim Gajser, no.243
“We had really good testing in the week before the test and both yesterday and today I was feeling really good on the bike. In the first race I think I rode almost a perfect race which I was really pleased with. In the second race I also had a good start in second and made a quick pass for the lead, again feeling really good on this track. Then the bike stalled two times, but we still finished on the box so that’s really good. For sure I’m still a little but disappointed because we could have won here but always you have to look forward and take positives.”
David Herbreteau, no.338
“Yesterday I wasn’t happy about my riding and we struggled the whole today, but we talked a lot with the team and worked a lot on the bike to find a better setting. Today it was working much better – in the first race I had a really good start but then I got into the water at the side of the track and I was down at the back of the pack. To come back 13th though is ok – I’m happy with that. It’s my first competition since Villars so I’m happy with this weekend.”
Jorge Zaragoza, no.101
“With the rain the track was very difficult. I didn’t have a good start and then in the first laps I wasn’t feeling so good with the track. We made some changes for the second race, and I made a really good start again and was running in fifth, but then I had a little crash and then the problem with the clutch so I couldn’t finish the race. It’s disappointing, but we must focus on Argentina now.”
Giacomo Gariboldi, Team Principal
“We came here hoping for a top five with Tim, so what happened here in the first race surprised everybody because I don’t think we could expect him to lead and win so easily. In the end, even though he could have gone 1-1, we are very happy with this result. Three podiums from three races. I think race one today is his best MXGP race – even better than in Qatar. The way he won here was just fantastic, after riding just a couple of days on the sand before, so I think this is his best ever win.
“We’re delighted with David’s performance. The best expectation for this weekend was top 15, especially starting from the outside gate, and that’s exactly where he was. He was very consistent and came from the back of the pack each time and rode very well until the end, so he showed that he deserves a place in the team. Jorge made a fantastic start in race two, which we are now getting used to seeing him do, but unfortunately then a small crash gave him an issue with the clutch so he was unable to finish.”
