MXGP
Going one-two on the day, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser took his second overall of the season, in perfect conditions at the prestigious Maggiora circuit in Italy. After a rain-hit track victory in qualification yesterday, the track crew did a tremendous job to get the circuit ready for the two motos today, where Gajser also showed his prowess on a dry, rutted track to take the GP overall.
A huge rainstorm hit the circuit at around 7pm on Saturday evening, which threatened the Sunday timetable, but by the time the riders hit the circuit for their sighting lap before moto one, everything was in fine working order. Getting his customary start inside the top five, the Slovenian made a few quick passes to get his way into second, before he stalked the leader for the rest of the first lap. As they approached the finish line, he made his move into first place and didn’t look back. He had some pressure from behind, but he didn’t let it phase him and instead took an impressive race win to move a further three points ahead in the title race.
Knowing that starts were critical on this Maggiora track, the Honda CRF450R rider took the second moto holeshot and avoided all the chaos behind him. With second-place close behind, the pair pulled away from the rest of the field and had their own private duel for the fans to saviour. Unfortunately, just as it looked like Gajser had weathered the storm, he made a small mistake in a banked corner and had to remount in second place. Knowing that it would still be good enough for first overall, and knowing he had almost a 40 second buffer to third place, he cruised home to spark scenes of jubilation amongst all of Team HRC in attendance.
These one-two results, combined with the win in qualification yesterday means that he now reaches the halfway point of the series, an imposing 34-points up on second place and 71-points up on third place. It has been a great run of form for the #243 and he now heads to Indonesia for the Lombok double-header full of confidence and looking to increase that gap even further, in a country that he enjoys visiting, even if the actual Lombok circuit will be a new experience for the five-time world champion
MX2
After such a successful Saturday, things didn’t quite go to plan on Sunday for Ferruccio Zanchi. He got a good start in race one, and got as high as sixth place and was pushing for fifth, but then a small crash dropped him down to 16th. From there, he put on his customary charge to make it up to 11th as he received the chequered flag but after the third place yesterday, he really wanted more. Unfortunately, in race two, he was unable to capitalise on his good gate-pick and was near the back as they rounded the first corner, but again, showing excellent passing he quickly made his way inside the top 10. Despite pushing hard, he was unable to progress any further than ninth, which was good enough for 10th overall. It was still an excellent result for the youngster and he’ll learn from everything over the weekend and put it to good use when the series heads to Indonesia for the double-header on Lombok.
Race 1
1. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 34:57.023; 2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:06.951; 3. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:14.257; 4. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:21.726; 5. Valerio Lata (ITA, KTM), +0:32.473; 6. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:41.740; 7. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:57.784; 8. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:59.669; 9. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:00.960; 10. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +1:02.160; 11. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +1:17.696;
Race 2
1. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 34:07.146; 2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:02.064; 3. Valerio Lata (ITA, KTM), +0:04.869; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:05.400; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:06.014; 6. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:07.992; 7. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:14.858; 8. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:35.888; 9. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:36.190; 10. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:54.822;
Overall
1. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 43 points; 2. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 43 p.; 3. Valerio Lata (ITA, KTM), 36 p.; 4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 35 p.; 6. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 33 p.; 7. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 29 p.; 8. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 27 p.; 9. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, KAW), 23 p.; 10. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, HON), 22 p.;
Tim Gajser 243
It is great to win another GP and put in three good races. I’m a little bit disappointed to have that small tip-over otherwise I’d have gone one-one-one and that would have really been great, but still, I can’t complain about how this weekend went. Everyone in the whole of Team HRC works so hard and they do it for days like this so a big thanks to everyone and now we have a weekend off before going to Indonesia which I think is an important couple of rounds for the series. I am looking forward to them because they will also be at a new track for me, and that is always nice.
Ferruccio Zanchi 73
I feel that after my performance on Saturday, that I could have done better than 10th overall, however on a track that was so difficult to pass on, those couple of mistakes I made really cost me. In race one, I was in sixth place and then a small crash which dropped me to 16th, and then I just got a really bad start in race two and had to fight through to get 10th. Still, I really enjoyed the experience in front of my home fans and I can’t wait to do it again. I am also really looking forward to my first trip to Indonesia where I hope to keep battling near to the front.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
Tim rode so well over the weekend, winning yesterday in dominating fashion in the mud and then winning in good conditions today with one-two results. He really showed that he is capable, whatever the weather and in a world championship that is very important. And next we go to Indonesia which will probably be very hot so that is something he has to cope with, but knowing Tim, he’ll rise to the occasion.
Ferro had some really good moments over the weekend and we hope that he focuses on those things, rather than the small mistakes. He is definitely progressing in the right direction and we’re excited for him to ride in Indonesia.
