Second moto victory gives Gajser podium, as Zanchi charges hard in Patagonia-Argentina

MXGP

Team HRC’s Tim Gajser got his 2024 MXGP campaign off to a strong start, taking the win in moto two, after placing fifth in race one to give him third overall. Combined with the qualification race victory, he sits just three points off the red-plate and well poised for another title challenge. Unfortunately, teammate Ruben Fernandez wasn’t able to line-up for the motos due to the lower left-leg injuries he sustained in the first turn qualification race incident yesterday.

Having first gate-pick after winning the 10-point qualifying race, Gajser didn’t get the best start, but as he was forcing his way through the field, he made a small mistake and dropped down to 13^th as they crossed the line for the first time. Knowing that it was a long race, he built his speed up and made plenty of passes, as the fastest man on the track, eventually coming home in fifth place, just a couple of tenths behind fourth.

Last year, Fernandez won this GP after going five-one so the #243 knew he had a chance to take the overall if he won the second race, and with a great start he was able to just that. He almost grabbed the holeshot, but swiftly moved into the lead and never looked back, riding a fast but controlled pace that the rest of the field couldn’t match. However, unlike in 2023, Gajser’s five-one saw him find the third step of the podium, but it was still a strong start for the five-time world champion.

The Honda CRF450R pair now have a weekend off to recover from their travel back from Patagonia, before they head to Arroyomolinos, near Madrid in Spain for the second round of the series on March 23-24. Gajser will once again be hoping to making it up onto the podium, while Fernandez’s first priority will be concentrating on getting healthy for his home GP.

MX2

In his full-debut for Team HRC, Ferruccio Zanchi put in two really impressive rides to come through the pack and finish seven-eight for sixth overall. The speed and skill that he showed to pass riders on this extremely fast Argentina track should give him a lot of confidence heading into round two and if he can improve his starts, he really should become a permanent feature of this exciting MX2 class.

Both races followed a similar pattern as the #73 started way outside the top 10, before working his way forward throughout the moto. Battling with riders with much more experience, the 17-year-old was able to maintain his composure and make the necessary moves and he was delighted with how his first world championship round on-board a Honda CRF250R went.

Race 1
1. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), 34:23.626;
2. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:02.085;
3. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:02.482;
4. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, GASGAS), +0:12.308;
5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:12.777;
6. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:32.737;
7. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:37.722;
8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:43.901;
9. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:46.230;
10. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:48.480;

Race 2
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), 34:55.608;
2. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:01.555;
3. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:11.627;
4. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:13.862;
5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:40.650;
6. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:41.566;
7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:41.975;
8. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:52.327;
9. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:54.965;
10. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:56.852;

Overall
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 47 points;
2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 43 p.;
3. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 38 p.;
4. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 34 p.;
5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 29 p.;
6. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, HON), 27 p.;
7. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, GAS), 27 p.;
8. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 26 p.;
9. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 25 p.;
10. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 23