Positive Trentino weekend as Gajser closes gap at the top

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser put in three solid motos over the course of this MXGP of Trentino to close up the gap at the top of the 2024 MXGP World Championship to just 13 points. The Slovenian backed up his second place from yesterday’s qualification race to go two-four for third overall as he extended his podium streak to four.

In race one, a good jump off the line saw him rounding the corner in a decent position, despite being forced into the inside wall of the first turn. He quickly made the necessary moves and by the time they crossed the lap for the first time, he was into third place. Knowing that he couldn’t afford to let the front two get away, he put on a charge and as they passed the halfway mark, he made the move on second place. Despite a last-ditch effort, crossing the line just 0.3 seconds behind the leader, he had to be content with second place and focus on moto two, knowing that a victory would have saw him stand on the top step of the podium.

Unfortunately, he got caught up in some first-turn carnage and only just about stayed on two wheels. Way down the field and knowing he had a lot of work to do, he once again sliced through the field in the opening couple of laps to get up to sixth. A lap later he was in fifth and after a mistake from a rider in front he moved into fourth. Trying to push as much as possible, he couldn’t quite make the necessary moves and instead had to settle for fourth place, which gave him third step on the podium, much to the delight of the thousands of Slovenians who had crossed the border and were supporting their hero.

Teammate Roan van de Moosdijk was missing from the action after deciding to withdraw from the MXGP. After the qualification race yesterday, it became apparent that the Dutch rider was in too much pain, to be riding at 100% and as such, decided it would be better not to line-up. He will now travel home to see a specialist and work out a plan of action based upon those results.

With two weekends off now, there is plenty of time for both riders to prepare themselves for what will a tough run of three races in three weeks. First up is Portugal on May 4-5 before the series heads to a new venue in Lugo, Spain a week later. The triple-header is then rounded out with a return to the magnificent St Jean D’Angely track in France which always brings the crowds out in force.