Confident win for Gajser in Swedish qualification as Zanchi also impresses

MXGP
Uddevalla, Sweden is hosting the 15th round of this 2024 MXGP World Championship and Team HRC’s Tim Gajser put himself in perfect position for tomorrow’s GP-scoring races, by taking the qualification victory and extending his lead in the series to 25 points.

It was an excellent day all-round for the Slovenian, placing second in both free and timed practice, before getting a great jump out of the gate on his Honda CRF450R machine and rounding the second bend in second position. Keeping the leader firmly in his sights, he waited a couple of laps before making his move on what was a tricky track surface and set about trying to pull away from the field. Although he was unable to stretch out the lead, he did stay in control for the rest of the race and once again took the qualification race victory – his seventh of the season – to gain another point on his nearest championship rival.

This will give him first gate-pick for the two races tomorrow where a further 50 points will be at stake on what should be an excellent day on the west coast of Sweden. Sunshine is expected, and the wind won’t be as strong so the conditions should be really good for when the #243 lines-up at 14:15 and 17:10.

MX2
Team HRC’s Ferruccio Zanchi put in another excellent qualification result on the rocky Uddevalla track to claim sixth place and move up into ninth place in the MX2 championship standings. The young Italian had a good start, but was shuffled down the pack in the early part of the first lap, crossing the line for the first time in eighth place. That didn’t deter him though, and despite having pressure from behind, he was able to make a couple of passes on this tricky MXGP of Sweden venue to receive the chequered flag in sixth place.

The #73 has now scored points in seven straight races and he’ll be hoping to increase that even further in the longer-length two motos tomorrow when 25 points is at stake in each race.

1. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), 24:23.503; 2. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:00.886; 3. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:08.263; 4. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:25.912; 5. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:31.297; 6. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:33.263; 7. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:38.103; 8. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:46.744; 9. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:49.408; 10. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:49.701;