When defending World MXGP champion Tim Gajser crashed out of the second round of the Italian International series a few weeks ago, you can be sure, the whole HRC crew took a deep breath and resigned to the next few months being passengers in the MXGP championship. World championship hopes dashed and a run of GP victories like in 2022 would remain a thing of the past.

Vertex support Ruben Fernandez and mxlarge: Vertex Pistons

Sure, the young Spaniard Ruben Fernandez could get some podiums, or maybe even a surprise Grand Prix victory, but in all reality, even that was being positive in these moments of deep disappointment.

Well, come Sunday night in Argentina, everyone wearing red, with a HRC emblem on their chest was smiling and the celebrations of 2023 were suddenly once again approved by the Japanese technicians under the red tent.

Going 5-1, the victory might have been a little lopsided when it comes to being consistent, but Fernandez looks solid all weekend despite his opening moto crash and despite the huge pressure of being the only guy circled by half a dozen Japanese working on their computers to make sure the Spaniard had the bike to win.

Having turned 24 just a couple of weeks ago, and in his second season racing the MXGP class, the future seems bright for Fernandez. Is he the next big thing, well, possibly. Victories over his countryman Jorge Prado at the Spanish championship a month or so ago and again in Argentina, gives him confidence he can be the best Spanish rider in 2023 and with that confidence, why not win himself a World MXGP championship along the way.

Anything is possible in a sport of injuries and mechanical failure. Had somebody told you when current MXGP World champion Tim Gajser comes back, it might be his job to help the HRC number two rider win a World title, well, you would have laughed and been considered crazy. Now after his first Grand Prix win, Fernandez has 100% placed himself as a contender for this year’s championship.

Bavo Swijgers/HRC images