Gajser dominates with one-one on return to MXGP action

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser looked unstoppable on his way to perfect one-one results at the MXGP of Russia, held at the hard-pack Orlyonok circuit on the banks of the Black Sea.

The Slovenian rider came in as the reigning MXGP champion and despite having seven months away since the last world championship race, he looked as good as ever, as he took two completely different race wins. The high-paced Russian track is notorious as being difficult to pass on so the start was deemed to be critical to the success of any rider’s chances so when Tim crossed the holeshot line in fourth, confidence was high that he would start off the season well. Then, within three corners, he had swept around the outside of those in front, taking the lead and never being troubled as he won by over 15 seconds from second place.

Unfortunately, after a good jump out of the gate in race two, he had to dismount the bike before the first turn, eventually remounting one place ahead of last as they crossed the line for the first time. Knowing he had to go to work straight away, he put his head down and sliced his way through this highly talented MXGP class, overtaking more than half the field on lap one to cross the line in ninth.

He kept his speed high in the next laps, passing a couple of riders per lap to move into third place by lap five. This would have been good enough for second on the podium, but the Honda CRF450RW rider wasn’t finished there. He kept pushing and overtook second place on lap six before setting his sights on first. It took him a further six laps to close the gap but once he was within striking distance, he finished off the comeback, eventually winning by five seconds over his nearest rivals and taking the first 2021 red plate. His perfect one-one scores give him a 10-point lead in the championship and he now heads to Matterley Basin, England – his favourite track – hoping to extend that lead even further.

That round takes place on June 27^th, giving Gajser and Team HRC a weekend off to prepare for what should be totally different conditions at the loamy circuit in the south-east of England.