In something that for many is still a surprise HRC rider Tim Gajser holds the red plate yet again, despite Jorge Prado winning five of the Grand Prix’s run this season, and Gajser the single GP victory in France. However, the Slovenian is known for his mental strength and consistency and it is those two things that have him at the very top of the MXGP championship points.

His Saturday qualifier, just as it has done all season gave him a lot of confidence heading into the Sunday show and picking up his fourth qualification win, it was little surprise he felt happy.

“We had a great pace today with Jorge (Prado) and we escaped quickly from the third-place rider. I’m enjoying out there, I enjoy riding sand you know. It’s a tricky track, and not easy, especially with the new layout as there are lots of stop and go but anyway, I had a lot of fun and I hope we can do the same tomorrow!"

And Sunday was another consistent performance with 2-2 scores, his third such result in the season, as he also picked up 2-2 in rounds two and three. Still, with just two Sunday moto wins this season, those runner-up spots are the reason he will enter Maggiora with the red plate.

“I rode well all weekend and am happy with the overall effort. Going one-two-two shows that my consistency is good and that my speed is good enough to win, but I wasn’t quite able to make it happen. I got the red-plate back so that is a positive and although there is still a long way to go, it is nice to ride with the red-plate on my Honda CRF450R, especially next week in Maggiora which is a special track.”

With 454 points and 13 second place finishes, seven moto wins over both Saturday and Sunday, and his worst result being a 10th in the mud in Portugal, Gajser has shown a dazzling run of points scoring. His worst finish in a GP to date (from Sunday results) has been fourth overall in the second Spanish GP and even then, he was just off the box. Similar to Jorge Prado in 2023, his Saturday qualifiers has seen him go 1-2-2-2-1-2-2-1-1, which is miles better than anyone else from the big three. Obviously, regaining that red plate last weekend means a lot to him.

“I’m very happy and it’s nice to have the red plate back! Also with both races, the speed was there but maybe my starts were not the best. I would definitely wish to start like yesterday in Quali race with a holeshot because it wasn’t easy after that. Second race I was a bit in between, pushing for Jorge and got some pressure from Jeffrey. I was searching for the lines but couldn’t open the door for Jeffrey, so it was a good race in the end and very happy. Huge thank you to all the team because they work very hard and everybody around me. I’m already looking forward to the next one!”

Now onto Italy, before the circus heads to Indonesia for the two rounds on the holiday island of Lombok, which you can be sure, the Slovenian won’t be laying on the beach in the sun, but working hard in the gym and in preparation for the second part of the 2024 season. A six World title awaits him, and it would be hard to bet against him.

Bavo Swijgers image