Motocross world championship leader Tim Gajser is looking forward to the sixth round of the series, the MXGP of Europe, at Valkenswaard this weekend, although he’s very wary of the treacherous sand track.
The sixth round of MXGP returns to the popular Belgian sand track in Valkenswaard this weekend for the MXGP of Europe, just one week after the Italian GP at Trentino.
The track is well known for its tough conditions. The deep black sand is difficult to master as its condition becomes progressively more challenging throughout the day.
Last year, when he was also then the red plate-holder, Slovenian rider Gajser achieved third place at this track after winning the first race, but he made some costly mistakes in the second race as the track grew more demanding.
Gajser is still leading the 2017 world championships with an 18-point lead over Italian KTM ace Antonio Cairoli, after his second-place finish at the Italian MXGP at Trentino, but he knows he’ll need to be at his best to keep Cairoli and the other behind him this weekend.
Gajser’s smooth riding style will hopefully secure him his fifth podium of the season.
“I am looking forward to Valkenswaard,” said Gajser.
“I think I am in good shape and I feel good on the bike, I am riding in some sand this week to train for it as we all know the track gets rough.
“Sand isn’t my favourite terrain to ride in but we have to be prepared for any kind of track. I hope to have a consistent weekend I will do my best. I will be ready for it.”
© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com
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MXGP class rider standings
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Points | Team | Constructor |
| 1 | Gajser Tim | 243 | SLO | 201 | Team HRC – MXGP | Honda |
| 2 | Cairoli Antonio | 222 | ITA | 183 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | KTM |
| 3 | Desalle Clement | 25 | BEL | 151 | Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing | Kawasaki |
| 4 | Bobryshev Evgeny | 777 | RUS | 145 | Team HRC – MXGP | Honda |
| 5 | Paulin Gautier | 21 | FRA | 145 | Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing | Husqvarna |
| 6 | Van Horebeek Jeremy | 89 | BEL | 144 | Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team | Yamaha |
| 7 | Febvre Romain | 461 | FRA | 106 | Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team | Yamaha |
| 8 | Tonus Arnaud | 4 | SWI | 101 | Wilvo Yamaha MXGP | Yamaha |
| 9 | Nagl Max | 12 | GER | 95 | Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing | Husqvarna |
| 10 | Strijbos Kevin | 22 | BEL | 90 | Team Suzuki World MXGP | Suzuki |
| 11 | Simpson Shaun | 24 | GBR | 88 | Wilvo Yamaha MXGP | Yamaha |
| 12 | Herlings Jeffrey | 84 | NDL | 84 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | KTM |
| 13 | Coldenhoff Glenn | 259 | NDL | 77 | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | KTM |
| 14 | Anstie Max | 99 | GBR | 69 | Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing | Husqvarna |
| 15 | Jasikonis Arminas | 27 | LTU | 56 | Team Suzuki World MXGP | Suzuki |
| 16 | Butron Jose | 17 | SPA | 49 | Marchetti Racing Team KTM | KTM |
| 17 | Goncalves Rui | 999 | POR | 42 | Husqvarna 8Biano Racing | Husqvarna |
| 18 | Leok Tanel | 7 | EST | 37 | Husqvarna 8Biano Racing | Husqvarna |
| 19 | Tixier Jordi | 911 | FRA | 36 | Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing | Kawasaki |
| 20 | Lupino Alessandro | 77 | ITA | 29 | Team Honda Red Moto | Honda |
| 21 | Guillod Valentin | 92 | SWI | 26 | Team Honda Red Moto | Honda |
| 22 | Nicholls Jake | 45 | GBR | 15 | Hitachi Construction Machinery KTM UK | KTM |
| 23 | Desprey Maxime | FRA | 7 | Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing | Kawasaki | |
| 24 | Graulus Damon | 71 | BEL | 7 | Wildcard Rider | Honda |
| 25 | Salazar Jetro | 60 | ECU | 4 | Wildcard Rider | Honda |
| 26 | Poli Joaquin | 179 | ARG | 1 | Wildcard Rider | Honda |
