Gajser has strong showing in Dutch sand

Honda HRC’s Tim Gajser continued his impressive return from a shoulder injury with a fifth place in the MXGP of the Netherlands qualification race, held at the sandy Arnhem track. Ruben Fernandez was just a couple of places behind him in eighth place as the pair showed their prowess in the soft-stuff and gave hope that they can challenge even higher in tomorrow’s GP-scoring motos.

After the second-fastest time in free practice, the #243 then posted the third fastest time in timed practice, so the speed was on display right away for the Slovenian. The good gate-pick made his live easier for the qualification race, with the Honda CRF450R roaring round in the first corner in second place. From then until the chequered flag, he was involved in constant battles on a very tricky track, eventually crossing the line in fifth place and giving himself a good chance for more points tomorrow. At this stage, every lap logged is useful, so for him to be fighting with the championship leaders in just his second race back is excellent and bodes very well for the final three races in the series.

Fernandez’ speed was also good to see after a disappointing second moto in Sweden last time out. It took both the practice sessions for the #70 to get comfortable, but once the qualification race began, it was immediately obvious that the Spaniard was a man on the move, working himself all the way up to eighth by the time he received the chequered flag. With the longer motos tomorrow, the CRF450R rider will be hoping he can move up even higher, but he’ll also be hopeful that the improved gate-pick will allow him to start closer to the top guys, which he’ll then try to run with.

Things were also looking more positive for Valerio Lata in the MX2 class, as the Italian placed fifth in free practice before posting 10th fastest in timed practice. After another excellent start he was just outside the top five, but although he was gradually dropping down the field as the race progressed, it still looked like he’d score a couple of points and give himself a nice boost of confidence. However, a small crashed dropped him down to 13th and he instead crossed the line, frustrated to have let those points slip through his fingers. It was a shame for the youngster, but he’ll get a chance to right that wrong in the two Sunday motos and try to finish this last European GP off strongly.

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MX2 Qualification Race
1. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 25:20.247; 2. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:01.304; 3. Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:03.882; 4. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:24.429; 5. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:25.350; 6. Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:26.605; 7. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:36.201; 8. Cas Valk (NED, KTM), +0:38.106; 9. Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +0:39.647; 10. Jens Walvoort (NED, KTM), +0:45.597; … 13. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +0:57.863;