Ruben Fernandez and Tim Gajser went one-two respectively in the MXGP of Switzerland qualification race, dominating the MXGP class by nearly 30 seconds and making a statement for the Honda HRC team. Fernandez’ holeshot followed on from Valerio Lata’s holeshot in the MX2 class, showing the power of the CRF machinery at the Frauenfeld circuit.
On a track that isn’t his favourite, Fernandez’ performance was truly an excellent result, showing speed and consistency after powering away at the beginning of the race. After one lap, he was being chased around the track by fellow CRF450R rider Gajser, and pair put in lap-times that the rest of the field didn’t come close to matching. Gajser probed and prodded but couldn’t find a way past, settling for second place – and still increasing his championship lead to 42pts – as Fernandez kept his composure and his pace to pull 27 second gap to the rest of the field. It is the second Honda HRC one-two of the season, after the muddy race one in Spain and further proof that both the bikes and riders are working extremely well together.
This was also on display in the MX2 class, as Lata rocketed out of the gate on his Honda CRF250R and led the first few laps of his qualification race. This was a result of an excellent fourth place in timed practice and another example of the potential that the young Italian has. He did end up dropping to sixth, in this highly competitive field but these are still positive steps and he is ticking off a lot of boxes that should stand him in good stead for the rest of the season.
Ferruccio Zanchi wasn’t quite able to have the same impact, placing 10th in timed practice before coming from outside the top 10 to finish ninth in the qualification race. On the tight and twisty Frauenfeld circuit, passing was extremely difficult so starts are going to be crucial when the racing resumes on Monday. Now the team have Easter Sunday off to prepare themselves for the longer GP-scoring motos, but all four are feeling good about their chances and are excited to get going again for this sixth round of the 2025 MXGP World Championship.
MX2 Qualification Race
- Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), 24:19.016; 2. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), +0:01.798; 3. Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:03.052; 4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:04.463; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:13.511; 6. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +0:14.429; 7. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:14.989; 8. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), +0:16.472; 9. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:18.684; 10. Cas Valk (NED, KTM), +0:20.236;
Tim Gajser 243
I felt I had the pace to win the race today, but it wasn’t easy to pass Ruben and I didn’t want to risk too much on this technical track. I didn’t have the best start and got closed off, but I made a good amount of passes on the first lap and very quickly was behind Ruben. He rode really well and a big congratulations to him because winning is special and he deserves it with his recent performances. It was still a good day in the championship and I’m hoping for the same again – maybe a little bit more – on Monday.
Ruben Fernandez 70
It was great to win the qualification race here in Switzerland, and get my first race win of the season. It wasn’t easy holding off Tim but I knew my pace was good and I just chose some good lines in the right places as I know it is difficult to pass here. Of course this was helped by the holeshot, which was like last year’s one I did on my return here. Now we have a day-off before racing on Monday but I’m really happy and looking forward to the gate-drops.
Ferruccio Zanchi 73
Today was better than recent Saturdays, but on this track the start is so important and getting a good gate-pick comes from putting in a good lap-time in timed practice and I couldn’t do as good as I wanted. 10th in timed practice, gave me around a 10th place start and I wasn’t able to pass as many people as I wanted and ended up ninth. It’s still not where I want to be, but my race-speed was good, and I know I can do better if I start with the front guys.
Valerio Lata 18
Getting a holeshot is a big boost for me and after a good start in Trentino, I’m very happy with that aspect of my riding and it’s cool for the team and reward for all the hard work they do. Unfortunately I couldn’t match that speed for the rest of the moto, but those guys are so fast and consistent throughout the whole race and that’s something I need to work on. Still, it is my rookie season and this was another big step to lead a race for a few laps and it gives me more confidence that I belong at the front.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
Ruben and Tim going one-two, plus Ruben and Valerio getting the holeshots in the MXGP and MX2 classes makes this a very good day for Honda HRC. Everyone works so hard so it is nice to have these moments and it gives everyone a little boost after these three races in three weekends. Now we have a day to prepare for Monday when the GP racing takes place, and our goal is to help all four guys to perform to a similar level and really show that we are the team to beat.
Qualification Race
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team Time/Gap
1 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 10 Honda HRC – MXGP 24:05.531
2 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 9 Honda HRC – MXGP 0:06.874
3 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 8 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:27.766
4 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 7 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 0:31.131
5 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 6 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 0:32.764
6 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 5 Ducati Factory MX Team 0:34.620
7 Herlings Jeffrey 84 NDL 4 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 0:37.223
8 Guillod Valentin 92 SWI 3 Wildcard Rider 0:37.896
9 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 2 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 0:38.176
10 Coenen Lucas 96 BEL 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 0:42.009
11 Lupino Alessandro 177 ITA 0 Ducati Factory MX Team 0:43.842
12 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 0 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:44.747
13 Horgmo Kevin 24 NOR 0 Honda SR Motoblouz 0:45.943
14 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 0 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team 0:56.580
15 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 0 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 1:05.297
16 Tonus Arnaud 4 SWI 0 Wildcard Rider 1:07.338
17 Watson Ben 919 GBR 0 MRT Racing Team Beta 1:08.940
18 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 0 Wildcard Rider 1:11.699
19 Geerts Jago 93 BEL 0 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 1:16.530
20 Koch Tom 226 GER 0 MRT Racing Team Beta 1:18.058
Rider Standings
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team
1 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 283 Honda HRC – MXGP
2 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 241 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
3 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 198 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
4 Coenen Lucas 96 BEL 177 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
5 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 172 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
6 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 158 Honda HRC – MXGP
7 Horgmo Kevin 24 NOR 137 Honda SR Motoblouz
8 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 129 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
9 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 104 Ducati Factory MX Team
10 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 102 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
11 Jonass Pauls 41 LAT 86 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
12 Watson Ben 919 GBR 85 MRT Racing Team Beta
13 Guadagnini Mattia 101 ITA 84 Ducati Factory MX Team
14 Gifting Isak 517 SWE 78 JK Racing Yamaha Active
15 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 71 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team
16 Geerts Jago 93 BEL 68 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
17 Guillod Valentin 92 SWI 62 Wildcard Rider
18 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 61 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
19 Herlings Jeffrey NDL 40
20 van de Moosdijk Roan NDL 40
21 Sterry Adam GBR 29
22 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 25 Wildcard Rider
23 Koch Tom 226 GER 24 MRT Racing Team Beta
24 Stauffer Marcel 411 AUT 18 Wildcard Rider
25 Spies Maximillian GER 13
26 Ludwig Noah GER 11
27 Cairoli Antonio 222 ITA 10 Ducati Factory MX Team
28 Gilbert Josh GBR 9
29 Tondel Cornelius 17 NOR 7 JWR Honda Racing
30 Monticelli Ivo ITA 6
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