Honda HRC’s Tim Gajser continued his excellent start to 2025 with a second-place finish in the MXGP of Trentino qualification race, held at the picturesque track in Pietramurata, Italy. Behind him, Ruben Fernandez showed excellent speed to come through from way outside the top 10, to cross the line in third place, only to be deducted two positions after an unlucky incident when involved in a chaotic battle for third.
Gajser wasn’t able to post a good time in practice, and so took to the gate in seventh position, but due to the nature of the start at this circuit, it wasn’t too much of a disadvantage. Using the full-power of the Honda CRF450R he got a good jump off the line and rounded the first few corners inside the top five. A couple of quick passes later and he was into second where he then set about trying to hunt down the leader. Unfortunately for the #243, their laptimes were very similar and he wasn’t able to make any in-roads into the lead and instead had to settle for second place.
Behind him, Fernandez rode excellently to fight his way through to third-place, passing a lot of riders as he tried to make it two Honda HRC riders in the top three. A hectic first lap saw him drop down to around 15th after a good start, and with a lot of work to do. Showing blistering speed and great passing instincts, he very quickly worked his way into the top 10, before putting in an incredible fourth lap to move from seventh into third place. However, he was harshly deemed to have gained an off-track advantage after being forced off the racing surface, and despite giving back the place he gained, he was penalised two positions. So instead of third, he was given fifth place, but if he rides like that tomorrow, there is no doubt that the Spaniard can make it onto his first podium of the season.
In the MX2 class, Valerio Lata put in his best ride of the season to move through this highly competitive class and finish in seventh place. This was after he posted the second-fastest laptime in timed practice and given the passes he made and the speed he showed in the qualification race, he has a big boost of confidence heading into the GP-scoring races.
Unfortunately Ferruccio Zanchi wasn’t able to complete the quartet of impressive motos, as the youngster had to withdraw from the race. He was involved in a battle just outside the top 10, and with a couple of passes, could easily have matched his fellow Honda CRF250R riders’ results. Instead, he’ll be starting from the very outside gate-pick with a lot of work to do if he wants to challenge at the front of the field. However, given that it is a home GP for the Italian, he is highly motivated and fully capable of scoring a lot of points at this Trentino GP.
While it looks like we might get some rain for tomorrow’s moto, it shouldn’t change the circuit too much, and all four Honda HRC riders will be going out trying to put in strong displays for what is the team’s most important event.
MX2 Qualification Race
- Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), 25:28.118; 2. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:02.098; 3. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), +0:08.964; 4. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:23.480; 5. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:41.743; 6. Cas Valk (NED, KTM), +0:44.754; 7. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +0:53.611; 8. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, KTM), +0:56.570; 9. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:57.000; 10. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:57.439; … 30. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), -4 lap(s);
Tim Gajser 243
I didn’t have my best day, especially in timed practice when I could only finish seventh, but I was able to make the right changes and got off to a good start in the qualifying race. This made things a lot easier, as I only had to make a couple of passes to get into second place. Unfortunately the leader had already pulled a good gap by this stage and although I had a good pace, we were matching laptimes. Still, it was great to hear all the Slovenian fans around the track and I’m excited to go out for the motos tomorrow where I’ll be looking for my sixth win at this venue.
Ruben Fernandez 70
I am frustrated to have received the penalty that moved me from third to fifth. I felt I did everything right to safely re-enter the track in a dangerous spot and then conceding the advantage back to the rider in front. Apart from that though, my riding was really good and I’m very happy with my speed and my ability to make the passes to move up through the field. I came from 11th to third, passing a lot of fast guys and I’m looking forward to getting the result I deserve tomorrow.
Ferruccio Zanchi 73
Obviously to have to pull off the race track isn’t the way I wanted to end the day, but otherwise it was a solid day with some things I can look to improve in the motos tomorrow. The support I received from the crowd was a great and I think it’ll be even busier tomorrow so I’m excited for that. It won’t be easy, having such a bad gate-pick but all I can do is try my best and fight for every point.
Valerio Lata 18
I really enjoyed my day, and I think if I get a good start tomorrow, I can really fight with the top riders. I was second in timed practice, and I was able to work my way from around 15th, all the way to seventh in the short qualification race, passing a rider every lap near the end of the race. I just need to start better and if I can do that, I’m sure I can give all the Italian fans something to cheer about tomorrow.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
It wasn’t an easy day here, especially early on, but everyone worked hard and tried to get the maximum from it by the end. For Tim, he was unusually unable to put in a quick timed lap but recovered quickly for the race and looked comfortable for his second place. Ruben’s speed was very impressive in the qualification race and we’re excited to see what he can do tomorrow. Valerio also showed similar speed in the MX2 race and he’s feeling like tomorrow will be even better, so that’s always good to hear. Unfortunately Ferro didn’t have the same luck but he is determined to change that around and make the best out of his situation, and whatever the weather brings all four guys will be ready!
Qualification Race
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team Time/Gap
1 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 10 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 25:19.807
2 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 9 Honda HRC – MXGP 0:05.774
3 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 8 Ducati Factory MX Team 0:29.766
4 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 7 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:32.383
5 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 6 Honda HRC – MXGP 0:26.086
6 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 5 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:33.395
7 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 4 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 0:36.309
8 Watson Ben 919 GBR 3 MRT Racing Team Beta 0:39.210
9 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 2 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team 0:43.181
10 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 1 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 0:48.531
11 Coenen Lucas 96 BEL 0 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 0:58.056
12 Geerts Jago 93 BEL 0 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:59.661
13 Koch Tom 226 GER 0 MRT Racing Team Beta 1:01.732
14 Stauffer Marcel 411 AUT 0 Wildcard Rider 1:05.674
15 Monticelli Ivo ITA 0 1:08.300
16 Horgmo Kevin 24 NOR 0 Honda SR Motoblouz 1:10.083
17 Sterry Adam 811 GBR 0 KTM Kozak Team 1:11.195
18 van de Moosdijk Roan 34 NDL 0 KTM Kozak Team 1:14.763
19 Evans Mitch 43 AUS 0 Wildcard Rider 1:19.266
20 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 0 Wildcard Rider 1:19.517
Rider Standings
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team
1 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 224 Honda HRC – MXGP
2 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 191 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
3 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 160 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
4 Coenen Lucas 96 BEL 141 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
5 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 132 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
6 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 116 Honda HRC – MXGP
7 Horgmo Kevin 24 NOR 114 Honda SR Motoblouz
8 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 105 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
9 Jonass Pauls 41 LAT 86 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
10 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 84 Ducati Factory MX Team
11 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 84 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
12 Guadagnini Mattia 101 ITA 84 Ducati Factory MX Team
13 Gifting Isak 517 SWE 78 JK Racing Yamaha Active
14 Watson Ben 919 GBR 67 MRT Racing Team Beta
15 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 61 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
16 Guillod Valentin 92 SWI 59 Wildcard Rider
17 Geerts Jago 93 BEL 51 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
18 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 46 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team
19 van de Moosdijk Roan NDL 36
20 Sterry Adam GBR 23
21 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 21 Wildcard Rider
22 Herlings Jeffrey NDL 15
23 Koch Tom 226 GER 15 MRT Racing Team Beta
24 Spies Maximillian GER 13
25 Ludwig Noah GER 11
26 Gilbert Josh GBR 8
27 Tondel Cornelius 17 NOR 7 JWR Honda Racing
28 Aparecido dos Santos Fabio BRA 5
29 Forato Alberto 303 ITA 2 Honda SR Motoblouz
30 Pape Romain 53 FRA 2 Wildcard Rider
@shotbybavo
