The three-man Honda Gariboldi Racing team got off to a positive start at the MXGP of Europe at the Valkenswaard track today, with Tim Gajser fourth in the MXGP class, Jorge Zaragoza 9th in MX2 and David Herbreteau completing his first MX2 qualifying race with the team, although the Frenchman was left wanting more.
On the CRF450RW, Tim started strongly and slotted into fourth place. On the opening lap he was the fastest man on track and quickly moved into third, and then by the halfway stage he was second. Unfortunately, a small crash cost him a few places, but the Slovenian recovered to cross the line fourth.
On the CRF250RW, Spaniard Jorge Zaragoza demonstrated good progress too. Continuing his good starts from Thailand, Jorge found himself up to sixth from the start and was holding position comfortably until a last lap upset that cost him two positions for an eventual ninth.
Meanwhile, young Frenchman David Herbreteau completed his first MX2 qualifying session with the Honda Gariboldi team riding the CRF250R. The pace was not quite what he wanted or was expecting, but with the team will make some changes overnight to come back stronger tomorrow.
Today’s conditions were a mix of blue skies, sun and heavy rain showers, making the track wet and slippery, which meant it soon became rutted and even more physically demanding. A day of rain is forecast for race day tomorrow.
Tim Gajser, no.243
“I’m pretty pleased with today. The start was not so bad as I was third for a couple of laps and then I found some good lines where I could pass Nagl. Then I tried to catch Strijbos but I made a little mistake and the front end just washed over the ruts. I almost saved it, but then went down so we lost some places but I also lost my rhythm. Anyway, we then came back to fourth which is a good gate pick for tomorrow. The track is much different from the past. When we saw Valkenswaard we think sand but this year it’s quite different – it’s still sandy but it’s more hard like Mantova. I think it’s getting harder and harder every year.”
Jorge Zaragoza, no.101
“I’m very happy with today. I made a good start and then I was riding good in sixth and seventh at the end. Then in the last lap I made a small mistake, but to finish in ninth is still not bad for tomorrow. I went too much inside and it was very hard and slippery so I lost the rear and crashed. I think that if I start like today, I can have a really good race, keep the speed and finish well. I’m happy with today.”
David Herbreteau, no.338
“It was not what I was hoping actually for my first race. Since this morning I struggled a lot on the bike and in the first practice I had to start again to make my feeling with the bike. We made some changes in testing this week and it’s not working so now we go back to like before and we try again tomorrow. I made a bad start in the qualifying race. Then I was not riding badly, but in the last lap someone came alongside me and I made a mistake and went on the outside of the track and lost a lot of places. But the team will do some work on the bike overnight and for sure tomorrow will be better.”
Giacomo Gariboldi, Team Principal
“For Tim, today was good so we’re happy for tomorrow. At the end this is what we want with Tim – to finish the qualifying race in the top five for a good gate pick for tomorrow. Tim had the second fastest laptime and showed today that he is fast, and also that on sand he can keep the speed he had at the first two races of the season on the hardpack.
“Jorge was battling for 7th at the end and got into some troubles so made a little mistake and lost a few seconds and crossed to 9th. But it’s good for him because he’s not a sand rider, and if he gets a good start tomorrow he can be top ten again. David was around 18th and 19th and I was quite happy with that, but then he made a little mistake in the last lap and he lost some places. We know that there is a long way to learn, so tomorrow is another good chance for learning.”
