Strong ride for Gajser and good comeback from Bogers in Belgium qualification

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser put in a strong performance to take second at the MXGP of Belgium qualification race, held in the deep sand of Lommel. With heavy rain yesterday dampening the track, and with three classes racing before them, the track was at its most difficult when the MXGP riders took to the circuit but Gajser proved his world championship class by riding a controlled race after a couple of early sprint laps. Teammate Brian Bogers wasn’t able to match that though, as he struggled to get going, but he did finish strongly in 13^th place with the important motos taking place tomorrow.

After the hard pack of Loket last weekend, the sand was a totally different prospect and with a lot of riders littering the circuit in the timed session, Gajser wasn’t able to put together a completely clean lap, having to settle for 10^th place gate pick for the qualifying race. Once again though, he got great drive out of the gate and was quickly able to work his way to the front of the field, on a track that offered plenty of passing opportunities. With chaos reigning behind him, he set about breaking clear and although he did drop to second place after three laps, he ended up finishing over 20 seconds clear of third, which is exactly the sort of race he needs to ride at this treacherous track.

Unfortunately Bogers struggled to get going in the early sessions, with the track having already been beaten up by the EMX125, EMX250 and the MX2 classes before he was able to touch the circuit. He recovered well for timed practice though, going four seconds quicker and finishing as the top Honda rider in seventh place. With a good gate pick, he was hopeful of a strong start, but that wasn’t the case and instead the CRF450RW was forced to battle through the field to finish in 13^th position. It still leaves him with a chance tomorrow and if he can get out the gate well, he proved he can make passes in the deep sand.

The forecast looks good for Sunday, which should mean the track is a bit drier by the time first warmup comes around at 10.45am. That should give them a chance to finalise their settings, ready for the motos which start at 14:14 and 17:10 on Sunday 4^th August.