After showing a lot of promise in 2024, HRC factory rider Ferrucco Zanchi is really starting to build some momentum in 2025, with eight in the MX2 championship points, a race win in the second round in Spain and consistent finishes in the overall standings.

On the Saturday in the last round in Lugo, Spain, Zanchi has been well aware of how important starts can be, as the young Italian has struggled to get out of the gate this year. This was partly due to his timed practice results, which then had the domino effect of not giving him a good gate-pick for the qualification races, which then didn’t allow him to race at the front of the field. Today, he put all that right, getting third in timed practice and then ripping a good start on his Honda CRF250R. The #73 was inside the top five for the entire race, and finished in fifth place, his best result since he won the first moto of the MXGP of Castilla La Mancha. This will give him a big boost of confidence heading into tomorrow where he has the chance at another podium in Spain.

“Finally I was able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together and do well in all the sessions I needed to do well in. I’ve known for a few weeks that timed practice is important because it sets you up for the rest of the weekend and finally, I got a third-placed time and that just makes everything easier. I was able to get a good start and felt good in the qualification race and fifth is better than I’ve had for a while so now I want to put in two strong motos tomorrow and really get this season back on track.”

Zanchi showed his mud skills once again in Spain on the Sunday, backing up his fifth from yesterday with a fourth in race one on the rain-hit circuit. Like Fernandez, he got a great start and just rode a consistent race, keeping pace with the guys in front, whilst resisting any advances from those behind. Things looked even better in race two early on as the #73 was in second place for the first lap, giving him a virtual podium.

Unfortunately, that was short-lived as a mistake on one of the downhills dropped him down the standings. He still fought back to 10th at the chequered flag, giving him seventh overall on the day, but the young Italian was left thinking of what could have been as he heads into this weekend off.

“Overall, I should be happy with my performance, but I know I left a possible podium visit on the table after crashing in that second moto. The first race I got a good start and rode in fourth the whole race. I stayed consistent and didn’t let the pressure from behind phase me. In the second moto, I got an even better start and was in second position and feeling really good, but made a mistake coming into one of the 180s on a choppy section of the track. I remounted down in 14th and did make it up to 10th but I know I could have stayed with those guys up front and really fought for a podium. So yes, a disappointment, but still an improvement on previous rounds, which I guess I have to be happy about.”

Image Bavo Swijgers