Team Honda Gariboldi will be looking to return to the podium this weekend at the Loket track as Tim Gajser comes back fighting after two first corner incidents last time out in Latvia.
Situated in the very west of the Czech Republic, the 1586m Loket track sees a return to the hard pack surface before the deep sand of Lommel at the start of August. The Czech event signals an intense finale to the European season with two pairs of back-to-back events before the MX2 championship heads out west for the final two overseas events of the season.
With similar track characteristics to Arco, where Tim Gajser took his first overall MX2 win earlier this year, the young Slovenian is confident of a return to the podium after the tricky conditions of Latvia. Currently in top form and bouncing back from an injury scare in the second race in Latvia, Gajser will be looking to further close the gap to the championship lead.
Jorge Zaragoza, who has been making progress throughout the year, is looking forward to the return of a hard pack track. The young Spaniard will be looking to continue his progress and gain further experience with the CRF250RW.
The MX2 track action will begin with Free Practice on Saturday at 10hr15 local time with Sunday’s two races commencing at 13hr10 and 16hr10 local time.
Giacomo Gariboldi, Team Principal
“We celebrated our first victory with Tim in Arco on ground very similar to Loket, and after recent results we’re feeling confident going into Loket. The ground will suit Tim well as it’s what he’s used to, and he’s now feeling stronger after a week to rest and recover since Latvia. Jorge will also welcome going back to hard pack as that’s the surface he is stronger on, so we’re all looking forward to this weekend.”
Tim Gajser, no.243
“Yesterday was my first time back on the bike but I’ve been doing a lot of cycling lately. On Monday after Latvia I went to the Doctor back home and he checked it, said I had some pain because it was ligaments, but that nothing is broken. Then I spent some time training my upper body by the sea but resting my legs. But now for the last four days I’ve been training quite normally again. I really like the Loket track because it’s the type of hard and stony ground that I like, like Arco. My home tracks in Slovenia are quite the same so I train a lot on this type of ground. We are motocross riders so everyone rides with some pain somewhere, but my ankle won’t stop me this weekend. Never!”
Jorge Zaragoza, no.101
“I’m looking forward to getting back to a hard pack surface again in Loket after the last two races. I feel more comfortable on hard pack ground as it’s what I’m more used to. I’m feeling good and strong so again I’m hoping to have three good races and be in the top ten this weekend.”