MXGP
Team HRC’s Tim Gajser finally got the overall win at the Loket circuit in the Czech Republic after years of trying, putting in three-one results to spark wild scenes of jubilation amongst the many Slovenian fans who travelled north to support their hero.
After winning the qualification race yesterday, Gajser never looked comfortable in the first moto, eventually coming home in third place, but never really challenging the two riders in front. Knowing that he needed to improve to stand any chance of the elusive victory, the team worked together to get his Honda CRF450R working flawlessly for race two, with him immediately looking more comfortable from the gate-drop.
Rounding the second corner in second place, he stalked the leader for the first half of the race, keeping an eye on his lines before making a forceful move to take over the lead. With the second half of the race still to negotiate, Gajser put his head down and pulled out a clear gap, cruising to a long-awaited and much-deserved maiden overall win at a circuit that hasn’t always been kind to him.
Importantly, after the three races over the weekend, the Slovenian also increased his championship lead to 36 points over his nearest rival, with seven rounds still remaining. Next up, is the treacherous sands of Lommel, Belgium which is known as one of the toughest tracks on the planet and will provide a completely different challenge than the hard-pack hilly terrain of Loket this weekend.
MX2
Ferruccio Zanchi had to pass a lot of riders over the course of this tough weekend in the Czech Republic, posting results of 14-12 for 12th overall, which wasn’t a completely fair reflection of the speed he showed on track. In race one, he was looking to move into ninth place, when a collision with the rider in front caused him to drop down the field, before he eventually regrouped to finish 14th. Then in race two, a bad start meant that he had to come from outside the top 20 to work his way up towards the front of the field, making a lot of moves to come home in 12th place.
There are still things to work on, but determination isn’t one of them and he’ll need every drop of that grit when he takes on the challenge of the deep sand of Lommel in one week’s time.
Race 1
1. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), 33:54.414; 2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:09.949; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:13.583; 4. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:14.509; 5. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:18.042; 6. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:38.431; 7. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:54.060; 8. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), +0:55.518; 9. Jens Walvoort (NED, KTM), +1:03.390; 10. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +1:07.250; … 14. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), -1 lap(s);
Race 2
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), 33:54.288; 2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:01.958; 3. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:07.745; 4. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:20.685; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:24.107; 6. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:33.127; 7. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:41.648; 8. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:50.473; 9. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:59.328; 10. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), +1:06.484; … 12. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +1:46.898;
Overall
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 45 points; 2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 44 p.; 3. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 43 p.; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 36 p.; 5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 34 p.; 6. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 30 p.; 7. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 27 p.; 8. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 25 p.; 9. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), 24 p.; 10. David Braceras (ESP, FAN), 20 p.; … 12. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, HON), 16 p.;
Tim Gajser 243
It’s amazing to finally get a win here in Loket. I’ve had some good moments here, but never been able to take the victory so this is just a great feeling. I didn’t have the best first moto, but we worked together as a team to improve things for race two and I immediately felt a lot better. I got a good start, put pressure on the leader and then made a move midway through and controlled the rest of the race. A big thank you to all the team, and to all the fans Slovenian fans who create such an awesome atmosphere and who support me around the whole track. I’m glad I could finally repay them here in Loket.
Ferruccio Zanchi 73
I was happy with the majority of my riding, but a few moments cost me once again. I made a lot of passes over the weekend and that is something to be happy about, but I also wanted to be better in the first few laps so that I don’t have to make so many moves. Still, I am healthy and learning all the time and although I’m not getting the end results I want, I still think I am progressing and moving in the right direction.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
After race one, we could see that things needed to change and I think that it is testament to the team spirit that we worked together to give Tim a shot at the overall. Of course, he still had to go out and ride and he put in an immense performance to take that second moto win and take the GP overall. It’s always been a tough place for him, with the extra pressure of all the Slovenian fans, but he rose to the occasion and just rode phenomenally and we couldn’t be happier for him and for the championship position.
Ferro had a tough weekend, but we can’t fault his dedication and he is constantly fighting until the very end. He was well outside the top 20 in race two and came all the way through to 12th so we need to focus on the positives and take that into Lommel which will be another tough challenge.
