Tim Gajser finished fourth overall today in Qatar aboard the Honda Gariboldi Racing CRF250RW, missing out on a podium only after an off-track excursion during the second race.
His efforts in the qualifying race yesterday were affected when he involved in another rider’s crash, resulting in him finishing 14th after falling to the back of the grid. This morning was a different story though as he posted the fastest time in the warm-up session.
After a bad start to the first race, the Slovenian found himself down in 16th position before then mounting a fantastic comeback to climb to fourth position. A much stronger start to race two saw Tim start to settle into a rhythm in fifth place and in touch with the leading group, but a wild ride over a double at the back of the track saw him suffer a small crash, dropping him to 11th.
Fighting back to seventh, it was good enough to put him fourth overall in what is a fiercely competitive series this year.
Giacomo Gariboldi, Team Principal
“In the end with what happened this weekend, we are happy to bring back two strong finishes and many points. The championship is so long so consistency is the key, and we have time to make up ground and come back stronger. We were expecting a little bit more this weekend, but it’s ok because we have a reasonable result and the first two races are important to take off a little pressure after a winter of work and training and build up. Generally we won’t have the exact measure of where everyone is this season until after the first three races, so we’re positive and looking forward to Thailand.”
Tim Gajser, No.243
“The start in the first race was really horrible and I was around 17th, but then I could make many passes. In the first race you could use more of the track for passing, but in the second race it was just one quick line so it was hard to pass. Anyway, in the first race it was a really good comeback so I’m pleased with this. You want always more, but the bike is felling really good and after everything fourth place overall wasn’t so bad today.”