Five time World Motocross champion Tim Gajser of the HRC effort, put in a strong second-place finish in race two, to get himself onto the MXGP of Sardegna podium, and continue his excellent start to this 2025 world motocross championship season.
His 5-2 performance might not have been similar to his two victories in Spain and France in rounds two and three of the championship, but his consistency has seen him extend his championship points after winning the Saturday qualification race.
On the Saturday, Gajser put in excellent rides to finish first in the MXGP of Sardegna’s qualification race. Coming into the Saturday, Gajser had won five the last six gate-drops, and he made it six from seven, with a come-from-behind performance that shows he sand skills are up with the best in the world. The #243 was fastest in timed practice, but didn’t get the best jump, especially compared to teammate Fernandez, who roared out of the gate and crossed the holeshot line in first place.
While Fernandez tried to pull away, Gajser made a number of moves to get himself into third place by the end of the first lap as the Honda pair made-up two of the three podium positions. Midway through the moto, Gajser passed his teammate for the lead and while the #70 did slip to third, it was still an excellent ride for the Spaniard, and one that should give him a lot of confidence for the longer motos tomorrow.
Gajser then tried to pull out a gap, but unbeknownst to him, the second-place rider was staying within striking distance. On the last lap, as lappers blocked the Slovenian, he suddenly realised how close it was up-front so increased his speed and held on for the win – his second qualification victory of the season, also moving him to 39 points ahead of his nearest rival in the championship standings.
“It was a good day in the sand, being fastest in timed practice and then coming through the field in the qualification race to win that. I didn’t get the best start, but I made a lot of good passes on the first lap to get into third. Ruben was riding well in the lead, so it took a few laps to get past him, and then I thought I had a comfortable gap to second but in the last lap I heard a rider behind and had to push to stay in the lead. Still, I felt comfortable and I enjoyed myself so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Both motos on Sunday, the Slovenian didn’t get the best of starts as he had to avoid fallen rivals, but he made his characteristic first-lap passes to put himself in a position to challenge for the top honours. In race one, he wasn’t able to find the rhythm on the deep-sand Riola Sardo circuit, and could only work his way into fifth position.
This left him leaving a big effort in race two and that’s exactly what he was able to deliver, receiving the chequered flag just 0.6 seconds behind the winner. Overall though, third step on the podium and increasing his lead from 29 points to 34 points over the course of the weekend is what the Honda HRC rider is aiming for and he now heads to Trentino – his ‘home’ GP – full of confidence he can keep this podium streak going.
“After the first moto, when I just didn’t find a good rhythm and struggled to really attack the track, I felt much better in race two and I think it showed. I didn’t get a good start in either race and that doesn’t help, but I made some good passes and had a good second moto for a solid GP. I am in a good position in the championship, and I’m excited to head to Trentino for what should be a very cool event.”
Now onto Trentino this coming weekend and you just know that Gajser will again perform well at this Italian facility. One of his favourite GPs, with a huge number of his countrymen travelling across the border from Slovenian to cheer him on. Some of the HRC mans best memories have come at Trentino.