Ruben Fernandez (MXGP class) and Valerio Lata (MX2) will be the Honda HRC representatives at the MXGP of Latvia this weekend, as unfortunately Ferruccio Zanchi joins Tim Gajser on the sidelines after his crash in Germany last weekend. Despite missing the motos after his crash on the first lap of moto one, Fernandez has been cleared by his doctors to ride and will line up as he looks to fight for third place in the 2025 MXGP World Championship.

For Lata, it is another chance to show the motocross world what he is capable of, after a breakout ride in Teutschenthal last weekend. The Honda CRF250R rider won the MX2 qualification race and then went four-four for fourth, narrowly missing out on the podium due to the second moto tiebreaker. It was a shame for the #18, but he has shown massive progression in recent weeks and is building towards his goal of standing on the box. It was also especially impressive because the second motos took place in wet, muddy conditions, something that has been an issue prior rounds, however he has made it a point to train in similar surfaces to improve and it was clear that he has done just that in Germany.

Thankfully Fernandez has been deemed okay to race at Kegums, on the tricky sandy circuit after his crashed while trying to move into second place early on in race one. With passing at a premium, he knew that striking early was important and he came up short on the double jump early after the start straight. He was too banged up to ride any further that day, but a few days off has seen him recover and he’ll head to the Baltic nation trying to put some important points on the board in what is the third race in consecutive weekends.

While Fernandez has recovered in time, Zanchi hasn’t been cleared to race after also falling foul of the same jump on the Teutschenthal circuit. The Italian is gathering information with regards to his situation and once he knows exactly what the issue at hand is, he and the team will create a game-plan for his return to action. It is a shame for the #73 as he has had some good moments this year and the belief was that he was beginning to show he would be joining his teammate Lata and fighting further up the MX2 class.

Once again the weekend forecast isn’t very good so everyone is preparing for a wet, sandy visit to the Kegums circuit in what kicks off the second half of the world motocross championship.

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY: 07:05 EMX125 Group 1 Free Practice, 07:30 EMX125 Group 2 Free Practice, 08:00 EMX250 Group 1 Free Practice, 08:30 EMX250 Group 2 Free Practice, 09:10 EMX125 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 09:50 EMX125 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 10:30 MX2 Free Practice, 11:00 MXGP Free Practice, 12:10 EMX250 Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 12:45 EMX250 Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP Time Practice, 15:00 EMX125 Race 1, 15:45 EMX250 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:25 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:40 EMX125 Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

Ruben Fernandez: Definitely not a good weekend in Germany, but after getting checked out by the doctor, I was told that I should be fine for this race in Latvia. Of course, it isn’t ideal preparation for what is always a difficult event at Kegums. The track is tough to get the right settings for, because it is like a hard-pack sand race, but I’m hoping to score some decent points and get back on track.

Ferruccio Zanchi: Unfortunately I won’t be lining up this weekend in Kegums. After my crash in Teutschenthal, I went home to get seen by the doctors and they have told me it is best to sit this event out. It isn’t what I wanted to hear, but being fit and healthy is the priority and I now will try my best to be ready as quickly as possible. Thanks for all the support I’ve received, it has really meant a lot.

Valerio Lata: I really enjoyed Germany, winning the qualification race and even finishing fourth in muddy conditions was a real struggle, but something I’m proud of, because it shows my riding is getting better. I like the Kegums track and won a moto last year in the EMX250 class, so it should be another good weekend and hopefully I can make the next step and get onto the podium.

Marcus Pereira de Freitas - HRC General Manager - MXGP: Teutschenthal was tough, losing Ferro and then Ruben not making it through the motos. Thankfully Valerio rode so well and is really finding a strong pace in the MX2 class. It also shows what a strong squad of riders we have because when one has a bad round, another guy steps up. It’ll be Ruben and Valerio in Kegums - as Ferro will be out for a little while - and unfortunately it seems like it will be another rain-affected weekend. I think the whole paddock just wants a dry event, especially after back to back to back races, but we will be ready, whatever the conditions.

Bavo Swijgers image