MXGP
Team HRC’s Tim Gajser put in two superb motos to take victory at the MXGP of Switzerland, scoring a maximum 50 points and increasing his lead from nine to 18 points, with three rounds remaining of the world motocross championship. It was the Honda CRF450R riders’ first one-one performance of the season and a timely one, given the fast-approaching end to this highly competitive 2024 series.
After a second place in yesterday’s qualification race, the #243 used this to his advantage to round the first corner of each moto inside the top 10, on what ended up being a much ruttier and more technical track due to overnight rain. From there, he made a number of quick passes on lap one, so that by the time they crossed the line for the first time, he was already into the lead. It was exactly what he needed to do with his competition right behind him, but they ended up having no match for the speed the Slovenian was able to show, and he pulled out a gap very quickly and controlled the moto, receiving the chequered flag 14 seconds ahead.
Knowing the job was only half done, and that every point counts at this stage, he tried his best to replicate the same in race two, but starting from a bit further back, his job was made a bit more difficult. Still, once he found his rhythm, he moved from fourth to first in four laps, putting on a masterclass in passing, before once again pulling out a gap to cross the line and spark scenes of celebration amongst Team HRC.
With rounds in Turkey, China and then finishing in Spain, Gajser knows that he needs to keep this momentum up if he wants to win his sixth world championship, but he is very confident and highly motivated to finish the job after what has been an excellent 2024 so far.
Teammate Ruben Fernandez also showed some great fighting spirit on his return to GP racing, going 17-9 for 11th overall, which could have been a lot better had another rider not collided with him midway through race one. This dropped him from 11th position and meant he was in survival mode for the rest of that moto. It certainly didn’t deter in race two though, as the Spaniard got a top 10 start and kept himself there for the rest of the moto. With a weekend off before Turkey, Fernandez can assess his performance and work on some things before heading east for the overseas double-header that sees the series go back to China directly after the round in Afyon.
MX2
A season-best sixth place for Ferruccio Zanchi in race one of the MXGP of Switzerland, meant the Team HRC rider was able to equal his best points total and continue showing everyone that he is closing in on the top five guys. The conditions were at their most difficult as the MX2 riders took to the track for the first moto but that didn’t deter the Italian and he rode consistently and error-free to grab 15 points. Race two wasn’t quite as successful, but ninth place is still an excellent result and gives him some confidence for the final three rounds of the 2024 MX2 World Championship.
Race 1
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), 35:29.269; 2. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:01.313; 3. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:13.749; 4. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:16.506; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:36.702; 6. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:56.030; 7. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +1:03.550; 8. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:50.398; 9. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:30.119; 10. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +1:41.699;
Race 2
1. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), 34:39.275; 2. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:12.029; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:15.975; 4. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:17.720; 5. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:18.398; 6. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:22.041; 7. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:23.845; 8. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:37.770; 9. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:45.287; 10. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:50.114;
Overall
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 45 points; 2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 43 p.; 3. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 38 p.; 4. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 36 p.; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 34 p.; 6. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 33 p.; 7. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 27 p.; 8. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, HON), 27 p.; 9. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, KAW), 23 p.; 10. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 21 p.;
Tim Gajser 243
I am obviously very happy with how today went, just feeling really good on the bike and being able to show that on the track. A big thank you to all of Team HRC because we continue to work really hard and it’s moments like these that we need to enjoy because that work has come together. Both races, I had some really good lines that allowed me to make the necessary passes and once I got into the lead, I was able to control the rest of the race. I’m really excited to head to Turkey as it’s a track I like and keep this momentum going.
Ruben Fernandez 70
I’m pretty happy with how today, considering it was my first race back after a long time. My speed was good, and if it wasn’t for a coming-together in the first moto, I’m sure I could have been fighting for a top 10 in both races. I was able to lead some laps yesterday and that was great and this gives me a great platform to build upon in the last three rounds of the season, on tracks which hopefully I like a bit more than this one.
Ferruccio Zanchi 73
Two top 10 results, my best moto finish of the season – sixth – and the joint-highest GP points tally I’ve had this year, so I have to be happy with this weekend. Getting that sixth was really good and gives me confidence that I am closing the gap to the top guys, so now I need to try and do that in both races. These next three rounds will all be new tracks for me, but I’m excited for them and hoping to keep up the progress.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
What a weekend for everyone! For Tim to go one-one is just excellent and a big boost heading into these last three rounds. He rode superbly and thoroughly deserved this victory and increasing the gap to 18 points is a big step in the right direction after some tricky rounds. Still, we can’t afford to take it easy now and I’m sure he’ll be fully focused and prepared for Turkey in a couple of weeks.
Ruben also had an excellent race, given that he has missed 16 rounds of racing. He led some laps yesterday, and battled hard for his finishes today on a track that really wasn’t easy. It is never easy to comeback into this MXGP class, but we’re going to help him as much as possible and we’re sure it won’t take too long before he is back up to speed.
Ferro also had his best finish of the season, with a sixth in race one. Considering how long this rookie season has been, he seems to keep improving, which is all we can ask of him and we hope that can continue in these last three rounds.
Race 1
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team Time/Gap
1 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 25 Team HRC – MXGP 34:17.116
2 Herlings Jeffrey 84 NDL 22 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 0:14.525
3 Prado Garcia Jorge 1 SPA 20 Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing 0:22.150
4 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 18 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 0:23.513
5 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 16 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:26.344
6 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 15 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 0:28.986
7 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 14 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 1:15.163
8 Guillod Valentin 92 SWI 13 Team Ship To Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz 1:15.636
9 Forato Alberto 303 ITA 12 Standing Construct Honda MXGP 1:28.669
10 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 11 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team 1:29.815
11 Horgmo Kevin 24 NOR 10 Team Ship To Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz 1:32.499
12 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 9 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 1:34.569
13 Guadagnini Mattia 101 ITA 8 Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing 1:36.868
14 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 7 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 2:08.345
15 Tonus Arnaud SWI 6 1 Lap
16 Gilbert Josh 326 GBR 5 Gabriel SS24 KTM 1 Lap
17 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 4 Team HRC – MXGP 1 Lap
18 Tondel Cornelius 17 NOR 3 Schmicker Racing 1 Lap
19 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 2 SixtySeven Racing Team 1 Lap
20 Monticelli Ivo 128 ITA 1 MRT Racing Team Beta 1 Lap
Race 2
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team Time/Gap
1 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 25 Team HRC – MXGP 34:24.188
2 Herlings Jeffrey 84 NDL 22 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 0:06.943
3 Prado Garcia Jorge 1 SPA 20 Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing 0:16.842
4 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 18 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 0:23.172
5 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 16 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 0:26.160
6 Forato Alberto 303 ITA 15 Standing Construct Honda MXGP 0:37.286
7 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 14 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:40.106
8 Horgmo Kevin 24 NOR 13 Team Ship To Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz 0:51.588
9 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 12 Team HRC – MXGP 1:10.788
10 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 11 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 1:18.975
11 Guillod Valentin 92 SWI 10 Team Ship To Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz 1:26.602
12 Spies Maximillian GER 9 1:42.464
13 Guadagnini Mattia 101 ITA 8 Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing 1:46.500
14 Gifting Isak 517 SWE 7 JK Racing Yamaha Active 1 Lap
15 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 6 SixtySeven Racing Team 1 Lap
16 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 5 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 1 Lap
17 Tonus Arnaud SWI 4 1 Lap
18 Kohut Tomas CZE 3 1 Lap
19 Gilbert Josh 326 GBR 2 Gabriel SS24 KTM 1 Lap
20 Scheu Mark GER 1 1 Lap
Rider Standings
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team
1 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 860 Team HRC – MXGP
2 Prado Garcia Jorge 1 SPA 842 Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing
3 Herlings Jeffrey 84 NDL 818 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
4 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 587 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
5 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 550 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
6 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 527 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
7 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 514 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
8 Horgmo Kevin 24 NOR 386 Team Ship To Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz
9 Guillod Valentin 92 SWI 329 Team Ship To Cycle Honda SR Motoblouz
10 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 295 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
11 Jonass Pauls 41 LAT 274 Standing Construct Honda MXGP
12 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 268 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
13 Guadagnini Mattia 101 ITA 260 Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing
14 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 218 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team
15 Paturel Benoit FRA 197
16 Tondel Cornelius 17 NOR 192 Schmicker Racing
17 Gifting Isak 517 SWE 166 JK Racing Yamaha Active
18 Watson Ben 919 GBR 110 MRT Racing Team Beta
19 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 100 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
20 Koch Tom GER 99
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