One thing you have to say about Tim Gajser, and that is that he has nerves of steel. The five-time World motocross champion, with a lot of pressure from Jorge Prado and Jeffrey Herlings in recent weeks, came into the opening moto in Switzerland and just owned the race and his rivals.

Slightly muddy conditions might have helped the Slovenian as he is known for his mud skills, but it’s the steely nerves of Gajser that got him this victory. Herlings second and Prado third. The points lead by Gajser is now 13 points over Prado, Tim Gajser 835 points, Jorge Prado 822pts and Jeffrey Herlings 796pts.

Tim Gajser: I mean, we all know the start will be important I was fourth or something, did some quick laps and controlled the race from the front.

MXGP Moto One

Renaux in the lead from Prado, but Gajser quickly passed the Spaniard and Herlings in seventh. Top ten was Gajser, Renaux, Prado, Seewer, Fernandez, Febvre, Herlings, Gilbert, Coldenhoff, and Pancar. Herlings into sixth place and Gajser looking on fire at the front. Herlings into fifth and he knows he has to get to Gajser.

Gajser the quickest lap of the moto and a two second gap over Renaux, with Prado 3.6 seconds back in third and Herlings 7.3 behind in fifth. Gap went to 4.4 seconds on lap three and Herlings all over Seewer for fourth position. Gajser another quickest lap, two seconds quicker than everyone else and the lead is now six seconds, with Renaux one second ahead of Prado.

Prado struggling somewhat in these conditions and not looking as smooth as on the dry tracks and he is now 7.6 behind Gajser, with Herlings 11 seconds back in fifth place. Top ten on lap four was Gajser, Renaux, Prado, Seewer, Herlings, Febvre, Coldenhoff, Guillod, Fernandez and Pancar still 10th.

Lap five and the lead was 8.4 and Gajser again a really quick lap, two seconds quicker than everyone else. Seewer passed Prado and this race is falling into place for the HRC man. Prado really not enjoying this slightly muddy circuit. Lead went to 9.2 and Gajser showing why he is a five time World champion and taking the pressure with pleasure.

Herlings catching Prado to maybe make the day of the Spaniard even worse. On lap seven the lead was 9.8 as its Gajser, Renaux, Seewer, Prado, Herlings, Febvre, Coldenhoff, Guillod, Pancar and Forato. Herlings also not looking that comfortable in these slippery conditions. Herlings 16 seconds off the lead by Gajser.

Seewer, Prado and Herlings in a great battle as all three are desperate to get to Renaux in second. Herlings into second as he passed both Prado and Seewer, incredible passing move by the Dutchman. Herlings now 14 seconds off the lead as he cut two seconds in that lap.

Lap nine and the lead by Gajser was 12.4 seconds and Herlings all over Renaux and 13 seconds off Gajser. Still 12 minutes and two laps remaining and we all know Herlings usually turns it on with 10 minutes remaining, if he is going to make a charge. Herlings into second place and Prado might get more pressure from Febvre soon.

Herlings cuts another second off the lead as it went to a 12 second lead, we might be in for another Herlings charge. Gajser a great lap though and extended it to 12.7 seconds. Gajser really responding to Herlings as the lead went to 13.2 seconds. Prado all over Seewer and Febvre hounding those two.

Eight minutes and it doesn’t look like Herlings is going to be catching Gajser as after 12 laps the gap was still 13.2 and seven minutes remaining. Gajser making a huge statement today. Four minutes remaining and the lead was 12.7 with Herlings not able to close that gap. Prado still in a fight for third place as he hounded Seewer and Renaux. Brilliant race by Renaux as he continued to hold onto third place.

Prado into third as he passed Seewer and now going after Renaux. Desperate to gain as many points as possible the Spaniard showing true grit. Lap 15 it was Gajser with 13.2 over Herlings, then Prado, Renaux, Seewer, Febvre, Coldenhoff, Guillod, Forato and Pancar. Prado into third and showing really good speed late in the moto. As expected Renaux fading and Seewer moved past and Febvre all over his countryman. Gajser wins it from Herlings and Prado.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 1 - Classification

1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 34:17.116; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:14.525; 3. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:22.150; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Kawasaki), +0:23.513; 5. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:26.344; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:28.986; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), +1:15.163; 8. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Honda), +1:15.636; 9. Alberto Forato (ITA, Honda), +1:28.669; 10. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +1:29.815; 11. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Honda), +1:32.499; 12. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Yamaha), +1:34.569; 13. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), +1:36.868; 14. Brian Bogers (NED, Fantic), +2:08.345; 15. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 16. Josh Gilbert (GBR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 17. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), -1 lap(s); 18. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 19. Kevin Brumann (SUI, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 20. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, Beta), -1 lap(s); 21. Tomas Kohut (SVK, KTM), -1 lap(s); 22. Tom Koch (GER, KTM), -1 lap(s); 23. Dylan Walsh (GBR, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 24. Yuri Quarti (ITA, Honda), -1 lap(s); 25. Mark Scheu (GER, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 26. Luca Bruggmann (LIE, GASGAS), -1 lap(s); 27. Alessandro Contessi (SUI, Kawasaki), -2 lap(s); 28. Nikolaj Skovgaard (DEN, KTM), -3 lap(s); 29. Bryan Boulard (BEL, KTM), -3 lap(s); 30. Nicolas Bender (SUI, Husqvarna), -3 lap(s); 31. Aleksei Vinogradov (EST, KTM), -4 lap(s); 32. Isak Gifting (SWE, Yamaha), -8 lap(s); 33. Cato Nickel (GER, Husqvarna), -13 lap(s); 34. Maximilian Spies (GER, KTM), -14 lap(s); 35. Robin Scheiben (SUI, GASGAS), -15 lap(s); 36. Marcel Stauffer (AUT, KTM), -18 lap(s);

MXGP - World Championship Classification

1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 835 points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 822 p.; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 796 p.; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 571 p.; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 550 p.; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 514 p.; 7. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 509 p.; 8. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 373 p.; 9. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 319 p.; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, FAN), 290 p.; 11. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 274 p.; 12. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, YAM), 257 p.; 13. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 252 p.; 14. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), 218 p.; 15. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 197 p.; 16. Cornelius Toendel (NOR, KTM), 192 p.; 17. Isak Gifting (SWE, YAM), 159 p.; 18. Ben Watson (GBR, BET), 110 p.; 19. Tom Koch (GER, KTM), 99 p.; 20. Alvin Östlund (SWE, HON), 96 p.; 21. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 86 p.; 22. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, BET), 81 p.; 23. Brent Van doninck (BEL, HON), 77 p.; 24. Alberto Forato (ITA, HON), 75 p.; 25. Maximilian Spies (GER, KTM), 67 p.; 26. Kevin Brumann (SUI, HUS), 36 p.; 27. Josh Gilbert (GBR, KTM), 34 p.; 28. Adam Sterry (GBR, KTM), 28 p.; 29. Yuki Okura (JPN, HON), 25 p.; 30. Conrad Mewse (GBR, HON), 21 p.

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