HRC rider and defending MXGP World champion Tim Gajser has started his season well with a win in the opening race of the 2020 season, held in Italy this afternoon. The Slovenian led early and pulled away, before his team-mate Mitch Evans got a little close at the end of the race, but it was a HRC 1-2 with Evans second and Jeremy Seewer of the Wilvo Monster Energy Yamaha team third.

Tim Gajser: I mean I was feeling okay, got a good start, but was struggling all moto with arm pump, but I am happy. I will try and get a good start in the second one. We also have nice weather, so it is good for racing.

Mitch Evans: Not a surprise for me, I am on the best team there is, and I am riding with Tim and the 45 suits me a lot better and it is good to prove it. It is just the beginning and I am looking forward to the season.

Jeremy Seewer: Yes sure, a good start to the season. I made a mistake following Tim and it cost me second place, but we are still building up so that is it. 

Gajser took the holeshot from Monticelli, Seewer and Evans. Seewer moved into second place and Monticelli tried to pass back without success. Evans was also putting a lot of pressure on Monticelli, while Desalle was fifth, Jonass seventh, Jacobi eight and Febvre ninth. Paulin was 11^th, Jasikonis 12^th, and Bogers 12^th.

Gajser looked strong up front leading well from Monticelli, Seewer, with Febvre dropping back to 10^th as Cervellin passed the Frenchman. Seewer started making a little ground on the leader and Evans was also keeping the two front guys in his eyesight.

Top ten was Gajser, Monticelli, Evans, Seewer, Desalle, Jonass, Jacobi, Cervellin, Paulin and Jasikonis. Gajser continued to clock the quickest times of the race as his lead. Monticelli was suddenly all over Gajser, and Evans was also close.

Gajser seemed to turn the heat up a little and got away from Monticelli, and Evans was nearly two seconds off the pace of his HRC team-mate. Gajser started lapping riders and had made a nice break from Monticelli, who had Evans all over his back wheel. Seewer was also not letting the top three get too far ahead.

Seewer was looking likely to pass Evans for third place, as the Aussie was pushing Monticelli in second place. Great racing for the opening race of the 2020 European season. Jasikonis had moved up to sixth place, with Forato in seventh then, Paulin, Jonass and Jacobi in 10^th. Febvre down in 13^th and struggling on his Kawasaki debut.

Evans riding well in his first 450 ride in MXGP and pushing second placed man Monticelli, finally passing and making it HRC 1-2. Seewer then also moved close to Monticelli and was looking for a way past. Seewer burst into third place in a nice pass on Monticelli, and it was Gajser, Evans, Seewer, Monticelli, Desalle, Jasikonis, Forato, Paulin, Cervellin, and Jonass 10^th. With the race closing up, Evans started clocking good lap times and close right up on Gajser for the lead. Gajser wins it from Evans and Seewer.

In the opening MX2 race it was Jago Geerts winning from Ben Watson and Max Renaux. As usual, it was a limited field in the 250 class.

Bavo Swijgers image