Team HRC’s Tim Gajser recorded his seventh MXGP overall of the season, and the sixth in succession after posting one-two results at the Palembang track in Indonesia. With high temperatures and brutal humidity affecting other riders, Gajser continued his hot streak of form, reeling off two holeshots on his way to his 10th moto victory in 12 gate drops. This meant he extended his lead at the top of the MXGP championship to 130 points with just seven rounds still to race. Fellow Honda CRF450RW rider Brian Bogers also put in two good rides to get his best result of the season, going twelve-eight for eighth overall at this 11th round of the world motocross championship.
After winning the qualification race yesterday, Gajser used first gate pick to great effect, ripping off holeshots in both races and leading the field for the first few laps. In the first moto, the Slovenian rider was able to then pull out a good gap quickly which allowed him to control the race and cross the line six seconds ahead of his nearest challenger. As he attempted to do the same in race two, a small mistake forced him off the track and he ended up on the ground. Remounting in third, he quickly moved into second place but with the rutted terrain proving quite treacherous, he decided to settle for second, knowing that he still had the overall wrapped up. And with the 47 points from today’s motos, his MXGP championship lead increased to 130 points, and more importantly to 161 points over the next active rider in the series.
For team mate Bogers, a strong second moto finish of eighth allowed him secure eighth overall and his best overall placing of the season. After having difficulties with the heat and humidity in the first race, dropping from 8th to 12th position, the Dutch rider regrouped in the break and set about trying to break into the top 10 for race two. After getting a good start and rounding the first lap in sixth place, he was able to achieve his aim with a strong, resilient performance, something he’ll be looking to show again in Semarang next weekend.
As the series moves east to the neighbouring island of Java, the high temperatures are likely to follow them but with a week to acclimatise to the weather, both Gajser and Bogers will be hoping to continue their form at a Semarang track that hosted a round in the 2018 series too.
Tim Gajser
All day I really enjoyed riding the track. In the first moto I grabbed the holeshot and made a little gap and controlled the race. I had a lot of fun out there and managed to win the first moto. In the second race I didn’t have the best jump out of the gate so I got closed off on the straight, but as they ran wide, I was able to cut inside and take another holeshot. On the fourth lap and went off the track, and my rear tyre spun on the dusty ground and I had a little crash. I re-joined the race in third place, but managed to pass Jeremy immediately. I saw that Romain was riding a really good pace out front so I decided to settle for second place and to win another overall. Obviously I’m still happy with how the day went and my standing in the championship.
Race 1
1 GAJSER Tim243SLO25Team HRC - MXGP34:36.177
2 ANSTIE Max99GBR22Standing Construct KTM6.132
3 SEEWER Jeremy91SWI20Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team9.421
4 FEBVRE Romain461FRA18Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team12.671
5 COLDENHOFF Glenn259NDL16Standing Construct KTM14.553
6 TONUS Arnaud4SWI15Wilvo Yamaha MXGP17.147
7 PAULIN Gautier21FRA14Wilvo Yamaha MXGP41.127
8 JONASS Pauls41LAT13Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing58.936
9 MONTICELLI Ivo128ITA12iFly JK Racing1:14.559
10 JASIKONIS Arminas27LTU11Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing1:21.810
11 VAN HOREBEEK Jeremy89BEL10Honda SR Motoblouz1:26.721
12 BOGERS Brian189NDL9Team HRC - MXGP1 Lap
13 LEOK Tanel7EST8A1M Husqvarna1 Lap
14 LUSBO Andero621EST7Wildcard Rider1 Lap
15 STEWART Lewis336AUS6Wildcard Rider1 Lap
... Race 2
1 FEBVRE Romain461FRA25Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team33:26.578
2 GAJSER Tim243SLO22Team HRC - MXGP3.256
3 COLDENHOFF Glenn259NDL20Standing Construct KTM18.172
4 SEEWER Jeremy91SWI18Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team19.389
5 PAULIN Gautier21FRA16Wilvo Yamaha MXGP20.854
6 ANSTIE Max99GBR15Standing Construct KTM23.871
7 JONASS Pauls41LAT14Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing42.166
8 BOGERS Brian189NDL13Team HRC - MXGP1:10.690
9 LEOK Tanel7EST12A1M Husqvarna1:15.096
10 JASIKONIS Arminas27LTU11Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing1:33.943
11 VAN HOREBEEK Jeremy89BEL10Honda SR Motoblouz1 Lap
12 MONTICELLI Ivo128ITA9iFly JK Racing1 Lap
13 LUSBO Andero621EST8Wildcard Rider1 Lap
14 STEWART Lewis336AUS7Wildcard Rider1 Lap
15 COLES Adam227AUS6Wildcard Rider2 Laps
...
Rider Standings
1 GAJSER Tim243SLO488Team HRC - MXGP
2CAIROLI Antonio222ITA358Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
3SEEWER Jeremy91SWI327Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
4PAULIN Gautier21FRA318Wilvo Yamaha MXGP
5TONUS Arnaud4SWI304Wilvo Yamaha MXGP
6JASIKONIS Arminas27LTU271Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
7COLDENHOFF Glenn259NDL256Standing Construct KTM
8JONASS Pauls41LAT246Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
9VAN HOREBEEK Jeremy89BEL245Honda SR Motoblouz
10FEBVRE Romain461FRA227Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
11DESALLE Clement25BEL208Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing
12ANSTIE Max99GBR184Standing Construct KTM
13LIEBER Julien33BEL184Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing
14MONTICELLI Ivo128ITA161iFly JK Racing
15SIMPSON Shaun24GBR129RFX KTM Racing
... Honda Racing