Monster Energy Yamaha factory rider, Tim Gajser has won the Mantova round of the Italian International with a stunning 1-1 performance. The five time world motocross champion started well in both races and looked in great control throughout the day, apart from a late slip over at the end of the second race. He also won the Italian International championship with a handy points lead over the rest.

Tim Gajser: I mean, I felt really good all day and it started good and we had a good setup. A good start in the first one was important and the second one was the same, but Adamo closed everyone and we almost crashed, but I rode some good lines and I made a small mistake at the end, but we have another month before we start the world championship. I think Ruben was behind me and close and I was pushing, but still, it’s a preseason race and then I made a nice gap from seven seconds and when the crash came I had to push again, but it was all good.

Tom Vialle: It was a while since I raced here and it was weird to get used to the track. We need to work on some things before Argentina and we need to improve. A new bike and new team, I am happy. The track was really rough and I had fun all day.

The other HRC debut rider, Tom Vialle a nice fifth place in the second moto and second overall behind Gajser with 2-5 scores. Third overall was Forato with 5-4 finishes.

The other five time world champion, Jeffrey Herlings, in his debut for HRC had an up and down day, with two good starts, but poor positioning out of the first few corners. A stone in his chain in the opening race saw him stopped on the track for some time and he ended in 11th place and an average race in the second, where he finished in third place. More to come no doubt in Hawkstone Park and Lierop in the coming weekends.

MX1 Moto Two

Adamo down in the first corner of the second MX1 moto, after a great start and that allowed Talivuki with the lead, then Geerts, Gajser, Fernandez, Herlings, Vialle. Gajser all over Geerts, but the Belgian doing a good job blocking the Slovenian. Forato, Pancar, Lapuci and Hsu making up the top ten.

Taluvuki doing a great job of stopping Geerts and Gajser getting into the lead and also created a freight train behind him of five riders. Gajser passed Geerts and Fernandez into third as he also passed Geerts.

Gajser into the lead and Fernandez following the Slovenian as he moved into second place, with Herlings all over Geerts for fourth place. Herlings looking strong as he followed closely behind both Talivuki and Geerts.

Herlings passed Geerts and then close to Talivuki for third place. Gajser and Fernandez getting away in first and second places. Vialle and Forato close to Herlings, so a lot of traffic around that third place.

Herlings into third place, but a lot of seconds behind the two men in front of him, Gajser and Fernandez. Unfortunately for Talivuki, he had dropped to 8th place as the GP regulars all passed him.

Gajser looking like he might have made some changes between the first and second moto, because he looked much smoother in this second race. Easily holding the lead with Fernandez around five seconds back in second place.

Gajser a small mistake where he slipped over, but Gajser wins the moto, the overall and the championship. Herlings did catch Fernandez, but couldn't get close enough to pass. Vialle a nice fourth place and second overall behind Gajser with 2-5 scores. Third overall was Forato with 5-4 finishes.

Full results soon........