Team HRC is ready for the 2018 MXGP season
Team HRC is ready to spearhead their attack on the 2018 MXGP and MX2 titles with a strong rider line up consisting of two-time World Champion Tim Gajser and new signings Brian Bogers (MXGP) and Calvin Vlaanderen (MX2). For the forthcoming 19-round 2018 season, the team will field the latest evolution of last season’s race-winning CRF450RW and the much-anticipated, all-new Honda CRF250RW, two machines that build on Honda’s history of success in the series.
Tim Gajser needs no introduction: the sensational 21-year-old Slovenian rider has made history with Honda by winning back-to-back MX2 and MXGP titles in 2015 and 2016 and taking the whole MXGP championship by storm. With one more year of experience within the class and a strong finish to his 2017 campaign, Gajser is now looking forward to trying to regain the crown that slipped from his grasp last year.
Brian Bogers is one of the two new arrivals in the Team HRC’s family: the 21-year-old from the Netherlands will enter his rookie season in the MXGP class alongside Gajser, although he is still recovering from a foot injury that will briefly delay his debut in the senior class.
Calvin Vlaanderen is the new standard bearer of Team HRC in the MX2 class. The young South African rider has already shown great speed in the championship, and is now looking forward to stepping up his game on board the new Honda CRF250RW, which he rode to third place in the first race of the ‘Internazionali d’Italia’ in Riola last weekend.
The 2018 MXGP season will get underway at Villa La Angostura (Argentina) on March 3-4.
Tim Gajser 243
We have finished testing and I must say I’m really happy with the bike, so I’m now looking forward to the season beginning. I learned a lot from last year and, although it was an up and down season, we finished on a high note so we now hope to keep the momentum going heading into 2018. I love the bike and it feels good to reunite with the team, so I’m excited to see what this season will bring!
Brian Bogers 189
It’s such an honour to be a factory Honda rider and obviously a dream for me to be racing in the MXGP class. The Honda CRF450RW is a fantastic bike – I was able to ride it at the end of last year and it really impressed me on every level. I have had a chance to spend some time with the team and I must say they’re great people and I look forward to joining them for my MXGP debut!
Calvin Vlaanderen 10
I’m really happy to be part of Team HRC and to be racing in the MX2 again with such a competitive package. I know the class well but obviously this is a new journey for me and I can’t wait to exploit the potential of the new Honda CRF250RW. We just finished on the podium in Riola and this race allowed me to get to know the bike better, and I feel we’re definitely heading in the right direction. I would like to thank the team and Honda for this amazing opportunity and look forward to the first race of the season!
Marcus Pereira de Freitas
We are ready and motivated for what is going to be a very exciting season for us in the factory Honda MXGP team. We feel we have all the ingredients needed for a successful campaign: the new rider line up is young and extremely talented, and we have two amazing bikes in the Honda CRF450RW and the new CRF250RW. Tim is eager to make his way to the top, while Brian and Calvin are looking forward to showing what they’re capable of as part of an official effort. I see no reason why 2018 can’t be an ultra-successful year for us, so we can’t wait for the action to start!
Rider standings
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