Team HRC’s Tim Gajser increased his lead at the top of the 2019 world motocross championship table to 177 points after finishing second overall at the MXGP of the Czech Republic.
Watched on by a record number of Slovenian fans who made the journey north to watch their Honda CRF450RW-riding hero, the #243 rode solidly throughout both races to secure his podium position, his eighth in a row. Team mate Brian Bogers also had a good day, placing ninth in race one, before finishing just outside the top 10 in race two.
On the hard pack Loket track, Gajser made two good starts, placing inside the top three in both races and with passing opportunities limited due to the lack of line options, he settled for two second places to score 44 points on the day. This was good enough for second overall and more importantly, four points more than his nearest championship rival which left the gap at 177 with just 250 points left to race for. Unfortunately it does mean his winning streak ended at a record-breaking seven, but the vast number of Slovenian fans didn’t care one bit as the double world champion took another massive step towards title number three.
“The track was really tough, it was hard and slick so I didn’t feel so comfortable on the track, but I’m quite happy with how the motos turned out,” said Gajser. “I took two good starts and I was riding smart and I didn’t want to push too much because it was easy to make a mistake. Overall it was a good weekend and I’m happy I could give all the Slovenian fans something to cheer about. They support me so much on the track and I could really hear them around the start straight bend each lap. So many of them made the trip and I am just really thankful for every one of them and it is just an awesome feeling to be out there and celebrating with them.”
Taking a risky outside gate pick in both motos, Bogers stormed around the first corner in race one in fifth position. Holding a good speed early on, he eventually succumbed to arm pump on a track that was really tricky to go fast on. By the end of the race, he crossed the line in ninth place which was still inside the top 10, his goal at the beginning of the moto. Unfortunately the outside gate pick didn’t pay off in race two and he rounded the first bend outside the top 20. Making a lot of quick passes early on, he managed to work his way up to 13th by the midpoint of the race and although his pace was good, he could only finish in 12th, which was enough for 11th overall.
Next weekend the MXGPs head to Lommel for one of the toughest tests of the year as the riders have to deal with the deep sand in the north of Belgium. It is certainly a much different surface than the hard pack surface they found this weekend in Loket, but as Gajser has proved over the last 13 rounds, he is capable on every type of terrain. He also knows that with a couple more good results, his dream of a third world championship title becomes ever nearer. Bogers is also looking forward to racing at a track that he grew up riding on and will once again set his sights on the MXGP top 10 when the gate drops in Lommel on Sunday 4th August.
MXGP – Grand Prix Race 1 Top Ten:
1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), 35:16.428;
2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:01.767;
3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:03.019;
4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:04.994;
5. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +0:06.234;
6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:11.778;
7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +0:23.045;
8. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), +0:29.981;
9. Brian Bogers (NED, Honda), +0:36.277;
10. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:39.366;
MXGP – Grand Prix Race 2 Top Ten:
1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), 35:24.868;
2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:02.779;
3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:07.399;
4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:10.737;
5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:12.992;
6. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Honda), +0:14.782;
7. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:16.522;
8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:26.870;
9. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +0:29.205;
10. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), +0:50.995;
MXGP – GP Top Ten:
1. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 50 points;
2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 44 p.;
3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 40 p.;
4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 36 p.;
5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 29 p.;
6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 29 p.;
7. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 28 p.;
8. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 27 p.;
9. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), 24 p.;
10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 21 p