For me, one of the saddest things about the 2026 MXGP championship is the performances of five-time world motocross champion, Tim Gajser. Many forget, at the start of last season, he was nearly unbeatable and looked a sure get to add a sixth title to his already impressive career.

A crash though in Switzerland, causes injury to Gajser and stress within the HRC team and after 10 good years together, the Swiss drama eventually saw HRC and Gajser split. It was an ugly divorce and one nobody wanted to really see. Together, they had created history, with Gajser becoming the greatest Honda rider in the sports history.

A move to Yamaha seemed like a good solution, however changing teams after a decade with one team isn’t easy and the move probably hasn’t been what Yamaha or Gajser really hoped for, results wise.

While Gajser is still fourth in the MXGP championship points, with only Lucas Coenen, Jeffrey Herlings and Romain Febvre ahead of him, his results haven’t been brilliant. Just three moto wins, and zero overall victories. This is possibly one of the worst seasons in his legendary career.

For Gajser, things did take a turn for the better in round nine in Italy. Although, even that round, was bittersweet with his first Saturday win in the qualification race, then a race two victory coming shortly after a tough first race where a lap one collision resulted in a broken front wheel.

“I’m really happy. Happy to get my first qualifying race win with Yamaha here in Italy. I felt good all day. This track is not easy, so it was important to get a good start. I made a good start from the inside and made some passes early on. Jan (Pancar) was riding well, but once I made the pass, I just wanted to make a gap, which I did and just controlled the race from there.”

“It’s a shame about the first moto (on Sunday) because I was riding at my best all weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday I felt really comfortable on the bike and my speed was good. But that’s motocross sometimes – there are some things you can control and things you can’t. Overall, I’m really happy with how I rode. In the second moto, I felt great out on track. I was able to settle into a good rhythm, manage the pressure from behind, and then build a gap and control the race from the front. It was a really positive feeling. The bike was working well, I felt strong physically, and there are a lot of positives to take away from the weekend."

In the next round in Portugal, Gajser just missed the podium by claiming fourth overall. His weekend results being a fifth in the Saturday qualification race, then 4-4 on Sunday. Maybe not what he was used to in previous years, but very consistent and that was something he had often lacked in 2026.

“It was a difficult weekend overall, but there were still some positives to take away. My speed in the motos wasn’t too bad, and I felt like I was getting more comfortable as the races went on. It’s a shame about the second race because I was just starting to find my rhythm and close the gap to the riders ahead. Unfortunately, I made a mistake by choosing an inside line where it was a little muddy, and that cost me a lot of time and positions. Missing out on the podium is disappointing because that was my goal coming into the weekend, but that’s racing. We’ll take what we’ve learned, keep working, and come back ready to fight again next weekend.

In the latest round, at the MXGP of Rep. of South Africa. Gajser finished sixth in the opening race before improving to fifth in Race Two. Again, consistent, but no podium and more frustration with poor starts and having to fight to make passing moves.

“Another tough Grand Prix. The track was really nice, but it was just very difficult to make passes. I got stuck behind riders in both races and was trying to come through from behind, but it wasn’t easy to find the right lines and move forward. Overall, I gave it everything I had, like always, and now it's onto the next GP.”

And that next GP is of course, this coming weekend, with the British Grand Prix, at the famous Foxhill circuit. This could be a good one for Gajser, as he loves racing in England and often has success there. The new Foxhill layout will probably suit his style, so let’s hope a victory or podium is in his path.