march 11, 2024 - Team HRC
Second moto victory gives Gajser podium, as Zanchi charges hard in Patagonia-Argentina
MXGP
Team HRC’s Tim Gajser got his 2024 MXGP campaign off to a strong start, taking the win in moto two, after placing fifth in race one to give him third overall. Combined with the qualification race victory, he sits just three points off the red-plate and well poised for another title challenge. Unfortunately, teammate Ruben Fernandez wasn’t able to line-up for the motos due to the lower left-leg injuries he sustained in the first turn qualification race incident yesterday.
Having first gate-pick after winning the 10-point qualifying race, Gajser didn’t get the best start, but as he was forcing his way through the field, he made a small mistake and dropped down to 13th as they crossed the line for the first time. Knowing that it was a long race, he built his speed up and made plenty of passes, as the fastest man on the track, eventually coming home in fifth place, just a couple of tenths behind fourth.
Last year, Fernandez won this GP after going five-one so the #243 knew he had a chance to take the overall if he won the second race, and with a great start he was able to just that. He almost grabbed the holeshot, but swiftly moved into the lead and never looked back, riding a fast but controlled pace that the rest of the field couldn’t match. However, unlike in 2023, Gajser’s five-one saw him find the third step of the podium, but it was still a strong start for the five-time world champion.
The Honda CRF450R pair now have a weekend off to recover from their travel back from Patagonia, before they head to Arroyomolinos, near Madrid in Spain for the second round of the series on March 23-24. Gajser will once again be hoping to making it up onto the podium, while Fernandez’s first priority will be concentrating on getting healthy for his home GP.
MX2
In his full-debut for Team HRC, Ferruccio Zanchi put in two really impressive rides to come through the pack and finish seven-eight for sixth overall. The speed and skill that he showed to pass riders on this extremely fast Argentina track should give him a lot of confidence heading into round two and if he can improve his starts, he really should become a permanent feature of this exciting MX2 class.
Both races followed a similar pattern as the #73 started way outside the top 10, before working his way forward throughout the moto. Battling with riders with much more experience, the 17-year-old was able to maintain his composure and make the necessary moves and he was delighted with how his first world championship round on-board a Honda CRF250R went.
Race 1
1. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), 34:23.626;
2. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:02.085;
3. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:02.482;
4. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, GASGAS), +0:12.308;
5. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:12.777;
6. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:32.737;
7. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:37.722;
8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:43.901;
9. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:46.230;
10. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:48.480;
Race 2
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), 34:55.608;
2. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, Triumph), +0:01.555;
3. Lucas Coenen (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:11.627;
4. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:13.862;
5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:40.650;
6. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:41.566;
7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:41.975;
8. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, Honda), +0:52.327;
9. Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:54.965;
10. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:56.852;
Overall
1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 47 points;
2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 43 p.;
3. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 38 p.;
4. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 34 p.;
5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 29 p.;
6. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, HON), 27 p.;
7. Marc-Antoine Rossi (FRA, GAS), 27 p.;
8. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 26 p.;
9. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 25 p.;
10. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 23
Tim Gajser 243
I am very happy with my riding today and to win two of the three races over the weekend is a good way to start the season. I probably rushed a bit too much in the first race and made that mistake but it was good to be able to make some passes and get back up to fifth. Then in race two, I got a much better start and was able to control the race and that is a nice feeling on what is quite a difficult track. Now we have Spain coming up and I hope to go for the win there as well.
Ruben Fernandez 70
I’m really disappointed to miss this round, but it was the right decision as I wasn’t really healthy enough to ride at the level I want to. I could have probably tried but I wanted to be smart and the season is long so the plan is to be ready for Spain in a couple of weeks, which is a home GP for me and one I always look forward to.
Ferruccio Zanchi 73
It was a good start for me with Team HRC, and I’m very happy to be leaving with sixth overall. Even though my starts weren’t the best, I made a lot of passes throughout the weekend which really builds my confidence and it was good to be consistent across the three motos. I am already looking forward to Spain in a couple of weeks, where hopefully I will continue with this kind of riding.
Marcus Pereira de Freitas; HRC General Manager - MXGP
Both Tim and Ferruccio put in some really strong races today, and that was great to see. Tim looked really fast and showed his speed when he controlled race two, and even in race one when he came through the field. Without that small mistake I’m sure he’d be leaving here with the red-plate but it is a long season and this was still a very good opening round. Ferruccio also showed what a great prospect he is by getting sixth overall after seven-eight moto finishes. He came through the field in both races, overtaking some much more experienced riders and we are just delighted with how it went. Of course, Ruben wasn’t able to line-up and we will get back to Europe and check him again, and then make plans based on what those results are.
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