The 2025 MXGP World Championship is drawing to a close tomorrow, and Darwin, Australia is proving to be a fitting final location for the Honda HRC trio as they try to improve upon their qualification results from today.
Tim Gajser and Ruben Fernandez were fifth and sixth in what were tough battling performances from the pair on this excellent circuit at Hidden Valley Raceway. Hosting a GP for the very first time, the track builders did an excellent job crafting a challenging, yet fun track for the riders and all of them are excited to go again tomorrow, for what will be the 59th and 60th points-scoring motos this year.
After a fifth in timed practice, Gajser got a good start and was with the top five as they rounded the first corner. However, as he tried to make moves, the riders in front were able to repel his attacks and instead he ate a lot of roost, which ended up causing him to have to drop back a bit. Unfortunately that allowed another rider to make their move and although he fought back near the end, the #243 ended up crossing the line in fifth place.
Behind him was a charging Fernandez, who came up through the field after a difficult first bend. The Spaniard got shuffled back as the pack rounded the opening corner, but then put on an impressive display of passing to get all the way up to sixth place by the time he received the chequered flag. Utilising the full width of this brand-new circuit, he took advantage of the outside lines on offer and kept pushing until the very end as he tries to finish this 2025 campaign off with some good results.
Unfortunately an electrical problem in the MX2 qualification race halted Valerio Lata’s progress, so the Italian was unable to finish and will now start tomorrow’s motos from last gate-pick. It’s definitely not ideal for the youngster, but he’s still determined for tomorrow and hopeful of a good points tally to finish-off his rookie MX2 campaign.
MX2 Qualifying Race
- Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), 23:46.711; 2. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:05.720; 3. Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +0:09.785; 4. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), +0:11.231; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:15.615; 6. Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:30.363; 7. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:33.419; 8. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:34.329; 9. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:35.191; 10. Kay Karssemakers (NED, Kawasaki), +0:35.658;… 16. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), -7 lap(s);
Tim Gajser 243
It was a tough day, but I think they did a good job with this whole race. The circuit is difficult to judge with different spots requiring different skills, so it always keeps you on your toes. I was battling the entire race and unfortunately the roost caused me an issue that meant I wasn’t able to push forward as much as I would have liked, still, fifth is a decent result and I think I’ll be able to do better tomorrow.
Ruben Fernandez 70
I didn’t have the best start, but I fought through the pack well and was happy to have ended up sixth. It certainly wasn’t an easy surface, but they did an excellent job with the circuit and it is good to be here in Australia racing. After China, the temperature doesn’t feel so bad, but it is still hot and humid so we have to be prepared for the same tomorrow when we’ll have even longer races.
Valerio Lata 18
It was disappointing to have to pull off the racetrack, but it was right decision and at least I saved a bit of energy for tomorrow. It is a tricky circuit, but there are some different lines and I think all the riders enjoyed riding on it. Now, I just have to forget today and focus on just going out and trying to get two good starts from the outside and battle to finish this season strongly.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
I think everyone has been very impressed with how this MXGP of Australia has been organised, and the job they did with the circuit. It is a real challenge and provided some good action today, so credit to them for creating something this good in year one. For Tim and Ruben, both showed potential in the qualification race, but I think they will be expecting more for tomorrow and now we’ve had a day of riding, we know a little bit more of what to expect.
Qualifying Race
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team Time/Gap
1 Coenen Lucas 96 BEL 10 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 23:36.321
2 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 9 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 0:21.099
3 Guadagnini Mattia 101 ITA 8 Ducati Factory MX Team 0:27.959
4 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 7 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:31.357
5 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 6 Honda HRC – MXGP 0:34.883
6 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 5 Honda HRC – MXGP 0:38.518
7 Herlings Jeffrey 84 NDL 4 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 0:40.752
8 Geerts Jago 93 BEL 3 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:41.456
9 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 2 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:42.057
10 Jonass Pauls 41 LAT 1 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 0:47.258
11 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 0 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 0:48.599
12 Watson Ben 919 GBR 0 MRT Racing Team Beta 0:52.526
13 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 0 Ducati Factory MX Team 0:54.504
14 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 0 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 0:58.607
15 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 0 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 0:59.954
16 Gifting Isak 517 SWE 0 JK Racing Yamaha Active 1:22.163
17 Prugnieres Quentin 319 FRA 0 Honda SR Motoblouz 1:27.054
18 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 0 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team 1:30.469
19 Koch Tom 226 GER 0 MRT Racing Team Beta 1:31.622
20 Watson Zac 48 AUS 0 Wildcard Rider 1 lap
Rider Standings
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team
1 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 938 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
2 Coenen Lucas 96 BEL 892 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
3 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 665 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
4 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 604 Honda HRC – MXGP
5 Herlings Jeffrey 84 NDL 586 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
6 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 567 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
7 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 527 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
8 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 508 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
9 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 470 Honda HRC – MXGP
10 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 368 Ducati Factory MX Team
11 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 314 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team
12 Geerts Jago 93 BEL 300 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
13 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 292 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
14 Watson Ben 919 GBR 290 MRT Racing Team Beta
15 Jonass Pauls 41 LAT 263 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
16 Gifting Isak 517 SWE 251 JK Racing Yamaha Active
17 Horgmo Kevin 24 NOR 243 Honda SR Motoblouz
18 Guadagnini Mattia 101 ITA 233 Ducati Factory MX Team
19 van Doninck Brent 32 BEL 191 JM Honda Racing
20 van de Moosdijk Roan 34 NDL 168 KTM Kozak Team
21 Sterry Adam 811 GBR 104 KTM Kozak Team
22 Koch Tom 226 GER 103 MRT Racing Team Beta
23 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 87 Wildcard Rider
24 Guillod Valentin 92 SWI 72 Wildcard Rider
25 Forato Alberto 303 ITA 72 Honda SR Motoblouz
26 Spies Maximillian GER 47
27 Fredriksen Hakon 427 NOR 41 Wildcard Rider
28 Prugnieres Quentin 319 FRA 40 Honda SR Motoblouz
29 Stauffer Marcel 411 AUT 38 Wildcard Rider
30 Cairoli Antonio 222 ITA 37 Ducati Factory MX Team
