Gajser wins epic race two to keep championship lead

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser put in a superb performance in the second moto at the MXGP of Turkey to win his fourth race of the season and maintain his 13-point lead at the top of the MXGP championship table. His six-one results were good enough to see him return to the podium in third place, in what was this first race after the mini-summer break.

On a hot day at the Afyon track, the hard-pack terrain provided a real test for all the riders for the eighth round of the series but it was Gajser that showed his speed and determination in race two to take the 25 points after passing a few of his title rivals. Posting the fastest lap of the race, he stormed through the top riders before opening up a gap that nobody else was able to challenge, taking the chequered flag by almost five seconds at the end.

This was the perfect way to rebound from what was a slightly disappointing race one, where he got stuck behind another rider for too long and lost contact with those in front. He eventually crossed the line in sixth place, frustrated, but knowing that he had more in the tank for moto two.

The MXGP class now have a couple of days to recover, before lining up for part two of this Turkish double-header, which will take place on Wednesday 8^th September. As with previous multi-round venues last year, there are unlikely to be any major track changes but for the Honda CRF450RW rider, that should allow him to hopefully add to his four moto wins and three overalls that he has racked up in this intense 2021 campaign.