This year is Gariboldi Honda rider Tim Gajser’s first full MX2 season, after competing sporadically last year. He’s shot to stardom with a series of standout performances that have seen him become a regular podium-finisher, and is maturing with every round. We take a couple of minutes to catch up with the young Slovenian.
Do you think you are improving as the season goes on?
“Yeah, in the beginning the start was not so good, top ten. Then, already, in the third round in Brazil I was third in the second heat so that was big progress and improvement. From then, we keep building and each weekend is much better”.
Where do you think the improvement has come from?
“The fitness, the working, the bike have all improved a lot, and also I improve so everything together. This third place in the second race in Brazil, it helped with the confidence and I saw that I could be there with these guys”.
What has been your best race this season?
“I think the Grand Prix was the best in Germany because I was second in the qualifying race and second in both races so it was really good. The second race in Spain was tough and many guys, I think six or seven, fighting for the first place so it was crazy. There were many mistakes and the track was very slippery and it was hard to pass, but it was my first second place of the season”.
How are you spending the August break?
“I don’t have a break, as we have some races in the Slovenian championship, and then, I think, European MX of nations. So I have these two races and then training. Actually, I had two weeks off when I injured my muscles between Finland and Czech Republic so I didn’t train for two weeks so I took a rest then; I think I’m rested enough so I just want to keep going!”
Do you feel that you are where you belong?
“I think so, yeah. Many guys are really fast and we are very close to each other. The start is really important and then that you find some new lines, some different lines. But actually I don’t feel pressure. I’m relaxed”.
Do you feel that you are not far off a win?
“I’m not thinking about that because I don’t want to push and to put up so much pressure on myself. I just want to go out there and enjoy riding like I want and like I can. I think it will come”.
Have you already started training for 2015?
“First of all we need to finish this season and these last three races and then we will start to think about next season and pre-season testing and training”.
You must feel that you are in a pretty good place?
“The feeling is really good. With HRC and Honda Gariboldi we are working really well together, like one big family, smiling together and sometimes crying together”.
How do you feel about the development of the bike?
“The bike is really good. When I, first time, sit on the Honda I feel it was so easy to ride and so easy for handling, it’s just perfect. Just I think, the power is a bit missing, but we improve this year a lot but I think in the winter time we will work on this and be stronger next year”.
Have you noticed increased support from fans?
“In Slovenia, my support has actually changed a lot because now it’s almost everyone in Slovenia know what motocross is and are watching the races on Sunday, so I have many supporters and fans in Slovenia. Now also, around the world it’s getting much more and yeah I’m really happy about that”.
How does family fit into the racing schedule?
“It is like a second home here because usually we travel a lot with the camper and even with flights and hotels, but actually when we come together, all of my family with the camper, it’s the best because everyone is with you: Brother, Sister, Mum, Dad; it’s great”.
You rode the 2015 CRF250R in Malpensa in August – how was that?
“It was really good to ride it because there are some new changes. I think it’s good that parts of the race bikes are going to the production bikes. It’s good for the guys who buy the bikes that they can have things like three different engine modes so it’s really good for the riders”.