MXGP
Team HRC had both Tim Gajser and Ruben Fernandez lining up for the 17th round of the 2024 MXGP World Championship, as the series went to the Frauenfeld track in northern Switzerland in what was glorious sunshine for the qualification day.
Once again, Gajser showed his speed by posting the fastest times in both free practice and timed practice to give himself first gate-pick for the qualifying race. On was an altered start-straight from last year, the #243 was bumped out from his preferred line to head into the tight right-hander and he crossed the line for the first time much further down the field than he would have liked.
Knowing he had work to do, he quickly made a number of passes and was in fifth after the first complete lap. He then began to pick-off riders one by one on the narrow circuit, and by the midway point in the race he was into second. Unfortunately, the leader had built up a bit of a gap by that stage and although he was able to finish just over one second behind, he knows that he needs to be closer to the front if he wants to win the GP tomorrow.
One of the riders Gajser had to pass in the moto was teammate Fernandez, who stormed out the gate on his Honda CRF450R to take the holeshot and lead the first three laps of the race. It was a great return to MXGP action for the Team HRC rider, after missing almost six months through an injury he sustained at the opening round of the series. Eventually, he finished in eighth place, but it was still very encouraging from the Spaniard that he had to pace to run up front in his first race back.
After such great weather today, the forecast looks like overnight rain which could change the track for the riders early-on tomorrow, but probably not enough to greatly affect the points-scoring motos which start at 14:15 and 17:10.
MX2
Ferruccio Zanchi fought through from an unfortunate start to finish 11th in his MXGP of Switzerland qualification race. The Team HRC rider was one of many who got caught up in a gate-malfunction and had to fight through from around 20th place to get just outside the points. With longer races and hopefully an equal start, the Italian is hoping to score decent points tomorrow and battle it out with the top MX2 riders on this technical Frauenfeld circuit.
- Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), 24:14.196; 2. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:09.052; 3. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:09.670; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:13.130; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:25.943; 6. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:29.791; 7. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:31.863; 8. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:33.395; 9. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:43.189; 10. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:56.963; 11. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:57.933;
Tim Gajser 243
On this track, the start is critical and I wasn’t quite able to avoid some of the bumping and bashing going on down the start straight. I was probably around 10th early on but made a lot of passes early on and throughout the moto to get into second place and that’s where I crossed the line. I know that my speed is good, I just need to start near the front in order to stand a chance of winning.
Ruben Fernandez 70
It’s never easy to comeback and in the practice sessions I wasn’t feeling totally comfortable, but it was awesome to get the holeshot and lead a good part of the qualification race. Out front, things are a lot easier and I found a good rhythm on this technical track, but once I got passed, I knew it would be difficult to keep the speed, especially having not really raced in almost six months. Still, eighth is really good and I’m extremely happy with this return to the MXGP class.
Ferruccio Zanchi 73
I’m not very happy because any chance I had of getting a good start was over within the first couple of seconds. Someone bumped the gate near me and that caused a lot of problems, and it took me a number of seconds to get free and actually start the race. Unfortunately, they didn’t restart the moto and although I was able to get up to 11th, I feel like I could have done better if I had been able to start with those guys.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
It was nice to come to Switzerland with all three riders and just have the whole team together again. Tim did enough to keep himself in the hunt with a strong second place, coming through the field well on this tight, technical Frauenfeld circuit. Ruben had a great start and it was really nice to see him leading in his first race back. Unfortunately, Ferro didn’t have the same luck with his start and we hope that things will go better when he lines back-up tomorrow. Overall, a lot of positives and we’re looking forward to even more tomorrow.
@shotbybavo
