Honda’s Tim Gajser recorded his seventh MXGP overall of the season, and the sixth in succession after posting one-two results at the Palembang track in Indonesia at the weekend.
With high temperatures and brutal humidity affecting other riders at this 11th round of the series, Gajser continued his hot streak of form, reeling off two holeshots on his way to his 10th moto victory in 12 gate drops.
This meant he extended his lead at the top of the MXGP championship to 130 points with just seven rounds still to race.
After winning the qualification race yesterday, Gajser used first gate pick to great effect, ripping off holeshots in both races and leading the field for the first few laps. In the first moto, the Slovenian rider was able to then pull out a good gap quickly which allowed him to control the race and cross the line six seconds ahead of his nearest challenger.
As he attempted to do the same in race two, a small mistake forced him off the track and he ended up on the ground. Remounting in third, he quickly moved into second place but with the rutted terrain proving quite treacherous, he decided to settle for second, knowing that he still had the overall wrapped up.
“And with the 47 points from Sundays motos, his MXGP championship lead increased to 130 points, and more importantly to 161 points over nine-time motocross world champion Antonio Cairoli (Red Bull KTM).
The injured Cairoli was a non-starter in Indonesia and he is reported to be out now for the remainder of the season, therefore making it much more likely that Gajser will go on untroubled to win the title this season.
As the series moves east to the neighbouring island of Java, the high temperatures are likely to follow them but with a week to acclimatise to the weather, Gajser will be hoping to continue his form at a Semarang track that hosted a round in the 2018 series too.
“All day I really enjoyed riding the track,” said Gajser afterwards.
“In the first moto I grabbed the holeshot and made a little gap and controlled the race. I had a lot of fun out there and managed to win the first moto.
“In the second race I didn’t have the best jump out of the gate so I got closed off on the straight, but as they ran wide, I was able to cut inside and take another holeshot. On the fourth lap and went off the track, and my rear tyre spun on the dusty ground and I had a little crash. I re-joined the race in third place, but managed to pass Jeremy immediately.
“I saw that Romain Febvre was riding a really good pace out front so I decided to settle for second place and to win another overall. Obviously I’m still happy with how the day went and my standing in the championship.”
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MXGP – World Championship Classification:
MXGP – Grand Prix Race 1 Top Ten:
- Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 34:36.177
- Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), +0:06.132
- Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:09.421
- Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:12.671
- Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:14.553
- Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:17.147
- Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:41.127
- Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:58.936
- Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), +1:14.559
- Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +1:21.810
MXGP – Grand Prix Race 2 Top Ten:
- Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), 33:26.578
- Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:03.256
- Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:18.172
- Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:19.389
- Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:20.854
- Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), +0:23.871
- Pauls Jonass (LAT, Husqvarna), +0:42.166
- Brian Bogers (NED, Honda), +1:10.690
- Tanel Leok (EST, Husqvarna), +1:15.096
- Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), +1:33.943
MXGP – GP Classification Top 10:
- Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 47 points
- Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 43 points
- Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 38 points
- Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), 37 points
- Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 36 points
- Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 30 points
- Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 27 points
- Brian Bogers (NED, HON), 22 points
- Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 22 points
- Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), 21 points
MXGP – World Championship Classification Top 10:
- Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 488 points
- Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 358 points
- Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 327 points
- Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 318 points
- Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 304 points
- Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 271 points
- Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 256 points
- Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 246 points
- Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 245 points
- Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 227 points
MX2 – Grand Prix Race 1 Top Ten:
- Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 33:40.277
- Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:06.767
- Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:14.306
- Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Honda), +0:20.497
- Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:25.275
- Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:35.933
- Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), +0:43.472
- Brent Van doninck (BEL, Honda), +0:48.482
- Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Honda), +0:50.722
- Henry Jacobi (GER, Kawasaki), +0:50.761
MX2 – Grand Prix Race 2 Top Ten:
- Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), 33:51.534
- Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:03.587
- Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), +0:07.156
- Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:13.464
- Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:16.017
- Brent Van doninck (BEL, Honda), +0:21.456
- Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:25.820
- Henry Jacobi (GER, Kawasaki), +0:35.899
- Adam Sterry (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:37.093
- Mitchell Harrison (USA, Kawasaki), +0:38.253
MX2 – GP Classification Top 10:
- Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 47 points
- Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 42 points
- Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 40 points
- Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 34 points
- Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 32 points
- Brent Van doninck (BEL, HON), 28 points
- Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, HON), 26 points
- Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 24 points
- Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), 24 points
- Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 21 points
MX2 – World Championship Classification:
- Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 494 points
- Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 443 points
- Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 334 points
- Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 326 points
- Henry Jacobi (GER, KAW), 307 points
- Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 246 points
- Mitchell Evans (AUS, HON), 228 points
- Adam Sterry (GBR, KAW), 224 points
- Bas Vaessen (NED, KTM), 209 points
- Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 192 points
