New challenges for Team HRC as MXGP heads to Spain
After triple-headers in Latvia, Faenza and Mantova, Team HRC and the world motocross championship heads to Arroyomolinos near Madrid, Spain for an intense single round of action at a track that no one has raced on before.
Built near the impressive Xanadu shopping mall on the south-west outskirts of Madrid, not much is known about the track, but it is likely to be in the same ilk as recent circuits in Turkey and China which were well-received by the MXGP riders. Only a few locals have had the privilege of riding the track, so all the contenders will be coming in with no advantage, but with the weather forecast looking promising, it should be a great venue for another weekend of racing with the EMX125 and EMX250 on Saturday 10th, followed by MX2 and MXGP on Sunday 11th.
Both Tim Gajser and Mitch Evans are showing good form right now, with Gajser winning the most recent round of the MXGPs in Mantova last Sunday. It was the reigning world champion’s first overall the season but it extended his lead to 11 points as he continued to hold onto the red plate. The overall victory also included his eighth moto win of the season and he’ll be looking for more of the same when they take to the track on Sunday morning.
Evans also showed his excellent speed in Mantova by grabbing his joint-best overall of the season by going four-eight for fifth. He has been improving ever since the restart and this track is another opportunity for him to keep that ball rolling as the season enters its hectic final chapter.
While there are still seven rounds left, those are taking place in only three different venues over just 28 days with triple-headers in Lommel and Arco di Trento rounding off the season. Both those tracks are extremely familiar to the majority of the MXGP paddock, so this weekend is a completely new challenge and one that Team HRC are fully prepared for.
Tim Gajser 243
It’s always exciting to go to a new circuit, especially after riding three races at the same track. I’ve seen a few videos and photos of the terrain and it looks hard pack so it’ll be nice to ride that again after the sand in Mantova. Obviously, it was great to get an overall victory at the last round and I’ll be looking to maintain that momentum for this weekend and then hopefully for the last six rounds in Lommel and Trentino.
Mitch Evans 43
I was really hoping to get on the podium in Mantova but I wasn’t quite able to make that happen so now my focus is on getting the best possible results in Spain. I’ve seen a couple of videos so nothing too informative but I’m looking forward to a new challenge on a new track. We have a lot of rounds coming up in a short space of time and I really want to show everyone what I’m capable of, and ending the season on a strong note.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
I must congratulate everyone in Team HRC for their continued effort in this difficult 2020 season. Usually by now, the season would be over and we’d be planning for 2021 but we still have seven rounds left and have lot of work to do to make sure that Tim and Mitch continue to get the best results possible. It was great to see both of them running up front in the first moto last Sunday and that is exactly why we wanted to keep them with the team in the future. Tim is reigning world champion and is leading this year’s championship and that is level we hope that Mitch can reach so we are glad to get them both signed for the future. Now it is Spain though, which is a new venue for everyone but I’m confident that they can both go out and challenge for the podium spots.
Rider standings
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