Gajser extends championship lead after another overall victory

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser took his second overall victory of the 2021 MXGP World Championship season after two solid motos at the sandy Oss circuit in the Netherlands. Not only were his three-two scores good enough to secure the top step of the podium, but he also increased his lead in the title standings from six points to 23 points, giving the Slovenian an almost full-moto advantage over his nearest rivals after just four rounds.

The riders knew they would be in for a tough day at the office as sand is well-known for sapping energy, and then combined with temperatures touching 30C at the Dutch track, it really made them work for every point. Thankfully, Gajser was up to the challenge, riding a smooth consistent first moto as those around him had erratic races. The #243 rounded the first lap in third place and made sure to avoid any mistakes, as he eventually crossed the line in the same position.

In race two, another top three start meant he was in a really strong position for the overall, and when he moved into second on lap three, it was all but secured. However, the Honda CRF450RW rider wanted to seal the moto win as well as the overall, and after pressuring the leader for 10 laps, he eventually swept into first. Unfortunately, that battle had knocked him out of his rhythm and he had to surrender the race win later on, but it was done, safe in the knowledge that he’d still be standing atop the podium, and with an even more secure grasp on the championship-leading red-plate.

The gap at the top now stands at 23 points but with the races coming thick and fast, and on all kinds of terrain, Gajser knows he can’t afford to rest on his laurels. Next weekend is the MXGP of the Czech Republic, which is hosted at the old-school venue of Loket, known for it’s hard-pack surface and hilly layout. Like all races this season, the MXGP action will take place on Sunday July 25^th, with a morning practice followed by the two motos in the afternoon, where Gajser will be once again  be continuing his quest for his third world title in a row.