Gajser maintains momentum as Fernandez and Lata show good speed in Trentino

Honda HRC’s Tim Gajser continued his excellent start to 2025 with a second-place finish in the MXGP of Trentino qualification race, held at the picturesque track in Pietramurata, Italy. Behind him, Ruben Fernandez showed excellent speed to come through from way outside the top 10, to cross the line in third place, only to be deducted two positions after an unlucky incident when involved in a chaotic battle for third.

Gajser wasn’t able to post a good time in practice, and so took to the gate in seventh position, but due to the nature of the start at this circuit, it wasn’t too much of a disadvantage. Using the full-power of the Honda CRF450R he got a good jump off the line and rounded the first few corners inside the top five. A couple of quick passes later and he was into second where he then set about trying to hunt down the leader. Unfortunately for the #243, their laptimes were very similar and he wasn’t able to make any in-roads into the lead and instead had to settle for second place.

Behind him, Fernandez rode excellently to fight his way through to third-place, passing a lot of riders as he tried to make it two Honda HRC riders in the top three. A hectic first lap saw him drop down to around 15^th after a good start, and with a lot of work to do. Showing blistering speed and great passing instincts, he very quickly worked his way into the top 10, before putting in an incredible fourth lap to move from seventh into third place. However, he was harshly deemed to have gained an off-track advantage after being forced off the racing surface, and despite giving back the place he gained, he was penalised two positions. So instead of third, he was given fifth place, but if he rides like that tomorrow, there is no doubt that the Spaniard can make it onto his first podium of the season.

In the MX2 class, Valerio Lata put in his best ride of the season to move through this highly competitive class and finish in seventh place. This was after he posted the second-fastest laptime in timed practice and given the passes he made and the speed he showed in the qualification race, he has a big boost of confidence heading into the GP-scoring races.

Unfortunately Ferruccio Zanchi wasn’t able to complete the quartet of impressive motos, as the youngster had to withdraw from the race. He was involved in a battle just outside the top 10, and with a couple of passes, could easily have matched his fellow Honda CRF250R riders’ results. Instead, he’ll be starting from the very outside gate-pick with a lot of work to do if he wants to challenge at the front of the field. However, given that it is a home GP for the Italian, he is highly motivated and fully capable of scoring a lot of points at this Trentino GP.

While it looks like we might get some rain for tomorrow’s moto, it shouldn’t change the circuit too much, and all four Honda HRC riders will be going out trying to put in strong displays for what is the team’s most important event.

MX2 Qualification Race

1. Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), 25:28.118; 2. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:02.098; 3. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), +0:08.964; 4. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:23.480; 5. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:41.743; 6. Cas Valk (NED, KTM), +0:44.754; 7. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +0:53.611; 8. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, KTM), +0:56.570; 9. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:57.000; 10. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:57.439; … 30. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), -4 lap(s);