Round eight of the Motocross World Championship takes the Honda Gariboldi Racing squad to France this weekend, where Tim Gajser is determined to get behind the gate again.
After a crash in warm-up for the MXGP of Great Britain, Gajser suffered concussion and was unable to compete in the two races. Having undergone extensive medical checks in the few days since, he has fortunately been given the all clear and will travel to the Villars sous Écot track this Friday. He needs to be declared fit to race by the FIM Medical Director, but is determined to get back to action.
Meanwhile, Jorge Zaragoza is looking to continue his development and build upon the strong start he had in race two in the UK, and capitalise on the fact that the track is new to most of the MX2 field.
In fact, the Gariboldi team have raced at the track in 2009 in the European Championship so have experience of the topography and ground, but the newly-profiled track itself is still a relative unknown.
Giacomo Gariboldi, Team Principal
“We raced at Villars Sour Ecot when we won the European title in 2009, so as a team we have a little experience of it, even if it will be changed for this year. It’s a very good track, and typically French. It’s quite hard pack and quite fast with big jumps, so I think that this will suit both Tim and Jorge. Jorge is developing well as he continues to get stronger and have more time on the bike, and Tim has passed all the medical tests in the week so we’re confident that he will be deemed fit to race by the FIM and he’ll be racing again this weekend.”
Tim Gajser, no.243
“After the UK round I went straight to hospital but I’m all ok. They did tests on my head and body and everything is fine – I passed everything so now I just need to rest. I don’t remember anything about the crash. I remember the corner before with all the fans, and then I was in the medical centre. Tomorrow I’ll get back on the bike again to see how it is, but I feel ready for France. I have to be! I’ve never been to the track before but I will check some videos. I hear that it will suit my style! On Friday I will meet with the medical team at the track for them to say that I’m fit to race, but I feel fine and ready!”
Jorge Zaragoza, no.101
“The track is completely new for me; I’ve never been there. I like the French style of tracks so I hope that it’s good for me. I need time but I can see that we’re taking step by step with each race and after each race I’m feeling better and I can start training more so I’m happy with the way things are going.”