Gajser victorious in muddy Cozar qualification

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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

  1. 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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