Gajser fights through to win Turkiye qualification, with Fernandez and Zanchi both fifth

MXGP
Hard fought battles were the order of the day for all three Team HRC riders, as Tim Gajser won the MXGP of Turkiye qualification race to increase his lead to 19 points in the 2024 MXGP Championship. Teammate Ruben Fernandez came from eighth to fifth in an impressive rider for his second race back after injury, while MX2 rider Ferruccio Zanchi also finished fifth in an exciting qualifying race for the Italian.

It was Gajser who continued his momentum, winning his third race in a row at a crucial time of the championship and showing that he is on top of his game on-board his Honda CRF450R. The #243 was fastest in timed practice and that gave him the first gate-pick which he used to maximum advantage to cross the holeshot line in first place. Unfortunately, he was narrowly edged out in the next corner and had to then settle himself in second place as riders chose multiple lines on this hard-pack Afyon circuit. Following the leader but probing for a pass throughout, the Slovenian made his move just after the mid-point of the race and took control of the moto. Despite a spirited effort from his rivals, Gajser wasn’t to be denied and took the win by five seconds, adding to his one-one performance in Switzerland last time out. He’ll be hoping to replicate this in tomorrow’s two motos when a further 50 points are a stake, in what is important day of racing in central Turkiye.

Behind him, the #70 of Fernandez made a number of impressive moves to come through to fifth place in what is just his second round back after missing most of the season through injury. Getting a top 10 start, he picked off a couple of riders on the first two laps before getting fifth four laps from the end. He had pressure from behind the whole moto so it was good to see him withstanding that whilst still being able to move forward. There weren’t too many expectations placed upon him when he came back in Switzerland, but rides like this will certainly give him a lot of confidence for the last couple of rounds and the Motocross of Nations.

The goal now for both riders is to repeat those starts tomorrow, and put together the same rides in the longer 30minute plus two laps motos which have gate-drops at 14:15 and 17:10. And for Gajser especially, that will really give him confidence as there are just two rounds of the season left following the conclusion of this one.

MX2
After an impressive couple of races in Switzerland last time out, Ferruccio Zanchi continued that form with an excellent fifth place in the qualification race of the MXGP of Turkiye. The Italian had to fight hard for every position as the Afyon track provided plenty of opportunity for passing and blocking for these MX2 riders. Zanchi was able to make some good moves though and is really starting to show that he fully belongs with the best 250cc riders in the world, and he’ll be hoping he can put it together in both races tomorrow.

1. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 25:01.617; 2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:00.921; 3. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:09.994; 4. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:20.413; 5. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:24.855; 6. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:27.078; 7. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:27.574; 8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:29.821; 9. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:37.668; 10. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:38.910;