MXGP Qualification victory for Gajser as Zanchi storms through the pack in the Czech Republic

MXGP
Team HRC’s Tim Gajser was victorious in the MXGP of Czech Republic qualification race, leading from practically start to finish as he increased his lead at the top of the 2024 MXGP world championship to 35 points.

Posting fast times in free practice, and timed practice, Gajser knew that the start would be critical on this Loket circuit and he was able to power his Honda CRF450R around the first turn, just narrowly missing out on the holeshot. Putting pressure on the leader for the first half of the first lap, he quickly moved into the lead and from then on, he controlled the race and took a strong race win for the maximum 10 points. It was a great ride in difficult circumstances as his championship rivals were directly behind him, but the #243 never wavered and was eventually able to take the chequered flag with a five second buffer.

With gate-pick not being so critical on this circuit, the Slovenian rider knows he’ll have to repeat those good starts if he wants to win his first ever GP here tomorrow, but given how well that has been going in the past couple of rounds, this could be statement weekend for the five-time world champion.

MX2
Ferruccio Zanchi put in a really impressive charge through this competitive MX2 class, to work his way from 17^th up into the points, eventually finishing 10^th. He didn’t get the best jump out the gate, and on a track that is known to be difficult to pass on, it seemed he faced an uphill battle to work his way forward, however the youngster never gave up and just picked off riders in a consistent manner to gain the one point. Knowing he has what it takes to make the moves, the aim now is to get a better start on lap one and give himself the opportunity to move forward inside the top 10 and really score some decent points in the GP-scoring motos.

1. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), 24:44.517; 2. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:01.050; 3. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:01.884; 4. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:06.720; 5. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:25.056; 6. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:32.161; 7. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:35.942; 8. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:36.346; 9. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:46.141; 10. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:48.204;