Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team’s Tim Gajser has secured third overall at the 14th round of the MXGP World Championship in Belgium. Competing at the deep sand circuit of Lommel for the MXGP of Flanders, Gajser was on form all weekend, finishing third in Race One and fourth in Race Two. Teammate Maxime Renaux faced a more challenging weekend and ended the Grand Prix in 13th.
Having placed third in Race Two last weekend in the Czech Republic, Gajser carried the same speed into the 14th round of the campaign and finished the Qualifying Race in fourth. It was an exciting start to the opening Grand Prix race as the Yamaha YZ450FM rider moved from third into second on lap one. Gajser was then demoted to third a few laps later by Kay de Wolf, but he was able to latch onto his rival and finished the race in third, just over one second behind.
In the second race, Gajser executed another great start and held third for a few laps. He then slipped to fifth near the end of the race before reclaiming fourth on the final lap when one of the riders ahead encountered an issue. Placing third overall marks Gajser’s fifth podium appearance of the season, and he remains fourth in the championship standings.
At the same time, the MXGP of Flanders wasn’t quite so fruitful for Renaux. Still suffering from a lingering illness, and combined with one of the toughest circuits on the calendar, the former MX2 World Champion finished 13th overall. Renaux continues to lie seventh in the series standings.
Since returning from injury three rounds ago, JK Racing Yamaha’s Isak Gifting continues to build momentum and in Belgium he finished eighth in both races for eighth overall. Up next is the Swede’s home Grand Prix where he’ll be aiming to continue with his upward trajectory.
With a mixed Grand Prix complete, the season continues in two weeks’ time with a trip to Uddevalla in Sweden for round 15, with round 16 taking place one weekend later in The Netherlands.
