Tim Gajser took the overall MX2 Grand Prix victory in Sweden today, taking his fourth win of the season and his third in a row on the Honda CRF250RW.
With his winning run of form, it’s easy to forget that the young Slovenian’s first MX2 career victory came not even three months ago at the MXGP of Trentino, and now he and the Honda Gariboldi Racing team sit second in the World Championship.
In race one, Gajser was moved to fifth from the start but wasted no time joining the lead pair on his CRF250RW as the trio ran away from the pack amid a wheel-to-wheel battle of their own. Chasing down leader Pauls Jonass, with seven minutes of the 30 remaining he made the pass for second to take 22 World Championship points.
In the second race his progress from third at the start was just as swift, but he went one better to lead after just five minutes. Never looking back, it marked the third consecutive Grand Prix victory for the no.243 Slovenian and the Honda Gariboldi Racing team.
Race one was also a positive affair for Jorge Zaragoza on the no.101 CRF250RW. From the start the Spaniard was 15th and embroiled in the mid-pack, but he used his head to make progress and climb to 12th after a handful of laps. At the halfway stage he was in contention for a top ten spot, and digging deep into his energy reserves he fought his way up to ninth before finishing an eventual tenth position. Unfortunately, the second race brought about a first corner crash, and from 20th he fought back to 15th to finish the Grand Prix 12th overall.
The team will take this momentum into the next Grand Prix which is just next weekend at Kegums, Latvia. Action gets underway with practice and the qualifying race on Saturday 11 July.
Giacomo Gariboldi, Team Principal
“It’s unbelievable! I think Tim managed the two days incredibly well. He has been clever all weekend; fastest yesterday in timed practice, very smart in the qualifying race, not taking any risk, finishing second in the first race riding easily, and then winning the second race to make it a perfect weekend for us. I have no more words to describe what he’s doing now – it’s just unbelievable! We always want to do well for Honda, bringing Honda to the highest level. This was our goal since the beginning and it’s so great with all the work and effort that’s being put in. Last year we finished fifth which was great for the first season, and now this year we are second in the championship so I’m so pleased for HRC, Honda, the team and of course Tim to be at the front.”
Tim Gajser, no.243
“It feels just amazing! I was feeling great all weekend; really good and relaxed, smart and riding like I know and just having fun on the track. It’s just been a great weekend! Every win is something special and I’m really happy with three and a row. I’m so happy with everybody around me, with the team, the bikes are working really well, and it’s a happy place. Every win gives you a little bit more, so I’m looking forward to keeping this going.”
Jorge Zaragoza, no.101
“I was very happy with my riding in the first race today because in the middle I was in ninth and trying to pass for eighth. Then I started to get a little tired and lost a position to finish tenth but it was good and I’m very happy to be in the top ten. In the second race I had the crash in the start and I crashed in the mud so all my hands and everything were covered and it was very difficult. Towards the end it was ok though as I finished in 15th and took some more points, so it’s good.”