Had a nice bit of bench racing with an American friend this morning about Tim Gajser going to Monster Energy Cup, and Jorge Prado going to MXGP at MXoN and then MXGP full-time in 2020. I have a pretty good opinion on both moves and I think first that both things are brilliant.

When a World champion sees a challenge, and wants to experience it, that is first; what the sport is all about, and second, a massive task. I mean we all remember Gajser at the MEC last time, with him sprawled across the track and out of the event, but I get the feeling America will see a completely different 243 this time around. A much better prepared and much wiser rider.

When Tim told us a few months ago he would do Monster Energy Cup, we didn’t really write about it, as being so far out, it didn’t seem something to write about until it became a little closer. So, when I asked him again last month, he continued to talk about his dream to race the US event and the maturity he has now compared to back then.

“You know,” Gajser said. “Comparing when I won the MXGP in 2016, I would say I was also fast back then, but I am also going fast now. Maybe I am more experienced. Many things changed in the winter, and they seem to have worked out really well and I am happy I did that and hopefully we can continue the right way.”

When I asked him again in Lommel, he got a big smile on his face, and even when I mentioned how his last MEC ended, he was still looking forward to explaining what will be different.

“Yes, very excited, I can’t wait. Yes (I did crash), but this time we have a bigger break between Nations and the Monster Cup, like three weeks, so I am going there two weeks before the Monster Cup and do a lot of testing on the supercross track and we will be ready this time.”

I know the US season is a long one, just as long as the GP season, they have 29 races over 29 days and we have 18 races over 36 days. 

They start racing at A1 in January a couple of weeks before Gajser started his in a pre-season in Italy, and they will end their season this coming weekend while Gajser will still race in Turkey and China, before doing the MXoN, of which none of the top three in America will do (Tomac, Roczen and Musquin), but isn’t it nice to see a guy having a bit of old school attitude and enjoying his career and taking risks. So don't expect Gajser to come in fresh, but you can bet he will come in motivated.

I tip Gajser for a podium in Las Vegas, and wouldn't be surprised to see him battle for a race win, and then walk away with even more US fans and some teams looking seriously at wanting him to join them in the future. 

Despite being 22 years of age, which is old for a supercross rookie, Gajser, like so many of the elite MXGP riders could adapt to supercross, but for now, it is just fun to see the leading GP riders like Gajser at MEC or Herlings at Ironman in 2017 go over there and have some fun. 

Just like back in the day, with names like Brad Lackey, Jim Pomeroy, Danny LaPorte, Ricky Johnson, David Bailey, Jeff Ward and so many others came to Europe to race, it will only make the sport better on both sides of the Atlantic.

Bavo Swijgers image