Gajser wins first moto back and closes to within four points of MXGP lead

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser went one-five for second overall, as the MXGP world championship returned to action in what is the first of three rounds in a week at the sandy Kegums track in Latvia. His teammate Mitch Evans battled hard for his points but was up against it when he was collected in two first turn crashes, through no fault of his own.

After a five-month break, the #243 rider looked extremely fast in the abbreviated qualification format, posting the fastest lap which gave him first gate pick in what was a blisteringly hot day at the Kegums facility. With the races following shortly afterwards, Gajser kept that momentum and jumped out to an early lead in race one, showing the power of the new Honda CRF450RW as he received the holeshot award. A small mistake lost him first position but he soon regained it and looked comfortable as he posted his third moto win out of the five to have taken place in this extended 2020 season. In race two, another good start saw him round the first bend in second place and while he pressured for the lead, he wasn’t quite able to make the pass. With about 10 minutes remaining, Gajser looked to swap his line in the notorious wave section and while he looked like he would have the speed to make the pass, he wasn’t able to hold on and had to dismount the machine. This dropped him back to fifth place and while that meant the overall victory wasn’t a possibility, he was still able to finish second overall and move to within four points of the MXGP championship red plate.

After missing the last round of the season through injury, Mitch Evans was thankful to back in action this weekend, as he continues his recovery from the shoulder injury sustained at Valkenswaard. The Australian was unlucky to be involved in two first turn crashes which gave him no chance of battling near the front of this competitive MXGP field. Instead he had to work his way through the pack, managing to score points in both races and showing everyone that he is on the right road to the sort of form that saw him finish third in the first moto of the season.

With the next round on Wednesday, the riders don’t have much time to prepare themselves again, but both are confident that they can ride even better when they return on August 12^th in what should be another hot day at the sandy circuit. Gajser will be looking to add to his three moto wins, while Evans will be hoping to show more improvement but both are excited to finally be back racing the world motocross championship once again.