Gajser victorious in muddy Cozar qualification
03/15/2025 03:05 PM
Honda HRC's Tim Gajser showed that his motocross skills in muddy conditions continue to be unmatched, as he swept through to win the MXGP of Castilla La Manche (Spain) qualification race.
Having posted the fastest time in practice, he had first gate-pick and rounded the first corner in third place. Navigating the Cozar track was difficult, after a week of rain had hit the circuit, but the Honda CRF450R rider showed that when the conditions are wet and muddy, he rises to the top. Taking his time to fine the right lines, he moved from third into second and then into first place with some calculated passes and the rest of the field couldn't match his speed and smoothness as he took the win by over 10 seconds. The goal now is to repeat that effort tomorrow, when the forecast is predicting even more rain to hit the track, but if 2024 showed us anything, it is that not much can stop the #243 when he is in full flow.
Teammate Ruben Fernandez wasn't able to get out of the gate quite as well, and although he fought the entire moto, he ended up finishing in 10th place, scoring one point. The reward wasn't just, compared to the effort the Spaniard put in, at his home GP but he knows that he has a chance to show what he is capable of in the two GP-scoring races tomorrow.
In the MX2 class, Ferruccio Zanchi showed that he really does enjoying riding this circuit, as the youngster placed sixth after a good race against the best MX2 riders in the world. He got a decent start, but it was the first few corners where his line choice was excellent and he swept around a good number of guys to come out in fifth after the first lap. In the difficult conditions he maintained a solid pace and crossed the line, with his best result so far in 2025. Now the goal is to that again, and perhaps even challenge for the podium spots in the longer-races tomorrow.
Unfortunately Valerio Lata had a tough race, crashing on the first lap and only being able to remount in last position. Despite his best efforts, and some excellent laptimes, he could only work his way as high as 18th by the time the chequered flag came out and as such, didn't score any points. However, if he can get out of the gate well tomorrow, his speed should give him the opportunity to score good points, and that'll be his aim when he goes to the line.
SUNDAY:
08:45 EMX125 Race 2, 09:25 MX2 Warm-up, 09:45 MXGP Warm-up, 10:30 EMX250 Race 2, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.
MX2 Qualification Race
- Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), 26:41.124; 2. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:05.954; 3. Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:10.162; 4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:22.030; 5. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:29.110; 6. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:30.894; 7. Oriol Oliver (ESP, KTM), +0:32.593; 8. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, KTM), +0:42.198; 9. Cas Valk (NED, KTM), +0:42.968; 10. Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +0:45.063; … 18. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +2:21.479;
Tim Gajser 243
It was a good race in sketchy conditions. They'd smoothed over the track, but there were still ruts underneath so it was difficult to always know exactly what lines were good. Still, I was a good pace, got a good start which was a big help and made the passes when I needed to, to get into the lead. Overall, very happy with how it went and I'm hoping I can do the same again tomorrow.
Ruben Fernandez 70
Not my best race, but I felt okay, and I know that I can do better tomorrow. The track conditions are tough because it rained so much before the race weekend, and now even though it didn't rain today, it was still very muddy. I'd like to have done better in front of my Spanish fans, but I'm motivated to score some good points tomorrow and really get my season started.
Ferruccio Zanchi 73
I knew coming into this weekend that I liked the track and although the conditions were very different from a few months ago, I still was confident I could do well. I didn't have the best timed practice, but I got a good start and made some passes in the first few corners to get into fifth. After battling all race I was able to finish sixth, which was still good and it's a result that gives me more confidence for tomorrow.
Valerio Lata 18
Crashing on the first lap, in these conditions was the worst thing I could have done. I was dead last and way behind the rest of the field. I tried to put in some good laps and I think my laptimes were close to the top five, so that gives me motivation that if I can survive the first lap, I can challenge for the podium spots.
Qualification Race
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team Time/Gap
1 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 25 Honda HRC – MXGP 24:43.911
2 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 22 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:10.476
3 Jonass Pauls 41 LAT 20 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 0:13.136
4 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 18 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 0:18.069
5 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 16 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 0:19.309
6 Coenen Lucas 96 BEL 15 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 0:20.131
7 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 14 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:20.716
8 Horgmo Kevin 24 NOR 13 Honda SR Motoblouz 0:24.051
9 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 12 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 0:30.902
10 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 11 Honda HRC – MXGP 0:35.274
11 Guadagnini Mattia 101 ITA 10 Ducati Factory MX Team 0:42.986
12 Gifting Isak 517 SWE 9 JK Racing Yamaha Active 0:51.327
13 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 8 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 0:53.900
14 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 7 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team 0:57.818
15 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 6 Wildcard Rider 1:00.146
16 van de Moosdijk Roan NDL 5 1:01.038
17 Guillod Valentin 92 SWI 4 Wildcard Rider 1:23.773
18 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 3 Ducati Factory MX Team 1:24.641
19 Watson Ben 919 GBR 2 MRT Racing Team Beta 1:36.598
20 Sterry Adam GBR 1 1:46.389
Rider Standings
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team
1 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 79 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
2 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 73 Honda HRC – MXGP
3 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 68 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
4 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 51 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
5 Guadagnini Mattia 101 ITA 50 Ducati Factory MX Team
6 Jonass Pauls 41 LAT 45 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
7 Coenen Lucas 96 BEL 42 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
8 Horgmo Kevin 24 NOR 38 Honda SR Motoblouz
9 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 32 Honda HRC – MXGP
10 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 29 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
11 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 29 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
12 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 29 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
13 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 28 Ducati Factory MX Team
14 Geerts Jago 93 BEL 22 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
15 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 22 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team
16 Guillod Valentin 92 SWI 20 Wildcard Rider
17 Gifting Isak 517 SWE 18 JK Racing Yamaha Active
18 Watson Ben 919 GBR 13 MRT Racing Team Beta
19 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 7 Wildcard Rider
20 Tondel Cornelius 17 NOR 6 JWR Honda Racing
21 Koch Tom 226 GER 5 MRT Racing Team Beta
22 Aparecido dos Santos Fabio BRA 5
23 van de Moosdijk Roan NDL 5
24 Forato Alberto 303 ITA 1 Honda SR Motoblouz
25 Sterry Adam GBR 1
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