Slovenia’s Tim Gajser totally dominated the opening MXGP class races of the 2021 motocross world championship season in Russia at the weekend.
Defending world champion Gajser (pictured here) looked unstoppable on his way to perfect 1-1 results at the MXGP of Russia, held at the hard-pack Orlyonok circuit, on the banks of the Black Sea.
Despite having seven months away since the last world championship race, Gajser looked as good as ever, as he took two contrasting race wins.
The high-paced Russian track is notorious as being difficult to pass on so the start was deemed to be critical to the success of any rider’s chances so when Gajser crossed the holeshot line in fourth, confidence was high that he would start off the season well.
Then, within three corners, he had swept around the outside of those in front, taking the lead and never being troubled as he won by more than 15 seconds from second placed French Kawasaki rider Romain Febvre.
Unfortunately, after a good jump out of the gate in race two, he had to dismount the bike before the first turn, eventually remounting one place ahead of last as they crossed the line for the first time.
Knowing he had to go to work straight away, he put his head down and sliced his way through this highly talented MXGP class, overtaking more than half the field on lap one to cross the line in ninth.
He kept his speed high in the next laps, passing a couple of riders per lap to move into third place by lap five. This would have been good enough for second on the podium, but Gajser wasn’t finished there. He kept pushing and overtook second place on lap six before setting his sights on first.
It took him a further six laps to close the gap but once he was within striking distance, he finished off the comeback, eventually winning by five seconds over his nearest rivals and taking the first 2021 red plate.
His perfect one-one scores give him a 10-point lead in the championship over Dutch hero Jeffery Herlings (KTM), with Febvre third overall, and he now heads to Matterley Basin, England – his favourite track – hoping to extend that lead even further.
That round takes place on June 27, giving Gajser and his rivals a weekend off to prepare for what should be totally different conditions at the loamy circuit in the south-east of England.
“First of all, I’m really happy that we are back racing,” said Gajser.
“It has been a really long period without races and it is great to see so many fans here in Russia.
“In the first race my start was good, and my riding was smooth and consistent. I was able to get into the lead quickly and control the moto.
“Then in the second race my jump out of the gate was good but someone on the inside, crashed and pushed me off the track and I even jumped off the bike so when I remounted I was way back in the pack.
“I searched for some lines in the first few laps, trying to pass as many people as possible. I got into second and looked where best to make the move and once I got into first, I made a gap and took the win. I’m very happy with how it all went this weekend.”
Photo courtesy Honda HRC
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RESULTS & STANDINGS:
MXGP CLASS:
MXGP – Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification:
1.Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 35:19.814; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:16.794; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:21.233; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:36.489; 5. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), +0:42.311; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:45.570; 7. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), +0:47.261; 8. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:48.176; 9. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +1:03.128; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +1:05.863.
MXGP – Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification:
1.Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 35:48.848; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:05.865; 3. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GASGAS), +0:24.559; 4. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), +0:29.511; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:31.116; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:31.850; 7. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), +0:39.194; 8. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:49.576; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:51.013; 10. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:52.002.
MXGP – GP Top 10 Classification:
1.Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 50 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 40 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 37 p.; 4. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 31 p.; 6. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 27 p.; 7. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 25 p.; 8. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GAS), 20 p.; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, BET), 20 p.; 10. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 20 p.
MX2 CLASS:
MX2 – Grand Prix Race 1 – Top 10 Classification:
1.Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 34:27.923; 2. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:10.522; 3. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:15.355; 4. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:22.308; 5. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), +0:24.551; 6. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:25.902; 7. Jed Beaton (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:29.624; 8. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +0:30.971; 9. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), +0:31.437; 10. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:39.948.
MX2 – Grand Prix Race 2 – Top 10 Classification:
1.Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 34:43.963; 2. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:02.569; 3. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:06.603; 4. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), +0:17.573; 5. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, Kawasaki), +0:30.552; 6. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:32.471; 7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:34.932; 8. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:43.259; 9. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:44.689; 10. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), +0:47.047;
MX2 – GP Top 10 Classification:
1.Tom Vialle (FRA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 42 p.; 3. Mathys Boisrame (FRA, KAW), 40 p.; 4. Roan Van De Moosdijk (NED, KAW), 36 p.; 5. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 34 p.; 6. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 27 p.; 7. Jed Beaton (AUS, HUS), 24 p.; 8. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, KTM), 23 p.; 9. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 22 p.; 10. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), 22 p.