MXGP
Team HRC’s Tim Gajser put in a solid performance in the deep sands of Lommel, Belgium to finish third in the MXGP of Flanders qualification race. The Honda CRF450R rider had another excellent start, putting him in second round the first bend and that allowed him to avoid the first-lap craziness behind him.
From there, he followed the leader for a large portion of the race, keeping the gap close but never really threatening. He did drop a position midway through the moto, but the priority on such a difficult track is to keep upright and make sure he avoids any big mistakes and that’s exactly what he was able to do throughout the entire day.
A fifth in timed practice, followed on from a fifth in free practice, but with so many riders on the track and the fast line ever-changing, it wasn’t always easy to put in a clean hot-lap. This didn’t hinder him too much for the start of the qualification race though, as his run of good starts continued in the sandy conditions. This gave him the perfect platform to score another good points haul, which allows him to still lead the 2024 MXGP World Championship by 34pts.
Tomorrow, it seems like conditions will be similar to today, but with more races the Lommel track will get even more treacherous and Gajser will have to work hard to get himself on the podium, which was his goal coming into Belgium.
MX2
After placing 10th in free and timed practice, Ferruccio Zanchi fought through the MX2 field, to cross the line in ninth place in the MXGP of Flanders qualification race. His job was made difficult, when he was caught up in a first lap incident and had to remount last, but as he has proved on numerous occasions this year, the #73 doesn’t mind a challenge and he was soon working his way inside the top 20. By the fourth lap he was already up to 12th, and then a couple of laps later he was into 10th with a big gap in front of him to try and close. Putting in some excellent laptimes, his hard work was rewarded and he was able to score two points and move himself closer to ninth in the championship standings.
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), 26:15.748; 2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:06.539; 3. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:42.429; 4. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:46.790; 5. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:47.680; 6. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:49.153; 7. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +1:12.016; 8. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +1:32.898; 9. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +1:56.757; 10. Scott Smulders (NED, Honda), +2:15.150;
Tim Gajser 243
I am happy with how I rode today, it what were difficult conditions. It was really hard to find consistent flow and rhythm but to finish third in a comfortable manner is okay for today. It is also good that I had another strong start, and that really gives me confidence for the two races tomorrow.
Ferruccio Zanchi 73
Another first lap mistake, but after that my riding was very good. My laptimes were up there with the top five guys and I felt good on what was a very difficult track. Of course my aim is to cut out the mistakes and try to stay with those guys from the start, but overall I am happy today and I’m looking forward to trying to do even better tomorrow.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
Lommel is never an easy track and it seems the sand is really weird this year with different types mixed together. It took a bit of time to find the right settings but we worked through it together and Tim looked really good in the qualification race. The aim is to make his job as easy as possible for the two motos tomorrow and hopefully we can do that when the track will get even rougher.
Ferro also put in a really good comeback performance to finish ninth in the end. He was outside the top 20 after the first lap so he made a lot of passes and showed some good speed in the moto. We’re hoping for more of the same in the GP motos.
