Gajser still not in championship mode after Czech conservatism

The HRC star recorded his ‘worst’ podium result of the season at Loket and around a track where the Slovenian has never triumphed in almost ten years of Grand Prix racing. Gajser looked menacing as he pushed Jeremy Seewer hard through Saturday’s Qualification Heat but a 2-3 on Sunday and a lack of threat against the Monster Energy Yamahas meant his winless streak continued in the Czech Republic; to the disappointment of a large pocket of several hundred fans that noisy cheered the championship leader onwards.

“A solid day but I was struggling; some arm-pump and I was not riding like myself,” he admitted. “I’m quite happy to be on the podium in front of so many Slovenian fans.”

Gajser holds a 125-point lead over Seewer: a gap of five motos with only ten remaining if the postponement of the season-ending Grand Prix of Oman is expected to happen. He commented that the Czech result had nothing to do with any thoughts of a fifth title on the horizon.

“Of course [the championship is on his mind]…but it was not the case today, I just didn’t feel comfortable on the track,” he insisted. “Every race, the goal is to win but Jeremy and Maxime were just faster and I was struggling a lot.”

“I don’t know. I like the track…[but] it’s not my favourite,” he said when pushed to explain his comparative lack of spoils at Loket. “I have been many times second and third.”

Words: Adam Wheeler

Pic: Martin Plesník