HRC Honda head to Uddevalla as Sweden returns to MXGP calendar


The MXGP of Sweden returns to the world motocross championship calendar after a two-year absence, to give Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Mitch Evans a chance to get back to their high levels of performance after a tough event last time out in Lommel, Belgium.

With just four rounds left of this 2022 campaign, Gajser sits in a commanding position, 122-points ahead of his nearest rival and excited to finish the season strongly. The deep sand of Lommel wasn’t kind to the #243, but he is looking to bounce back with a good result in Uddevalla, Sweden, a place he has won at before in 2017 (MXGP) and 2015 (MX2). After missing the Covid-affected seasons, the scenic track, just north of Gothenburg should see a lot of fans come out to cheer on the Honda riders and they will both be looking to respond by challenging for the podium positions once again.

Evans was riding in third position for the majority of the Lommel qualification race, but a crash a couple of laps from the end saw him drop down the field, and although he was able to tough out the first half of moto one in 13th, he then had to pull off the race track. It was decided for him to not line-up in race two and instead to give himself the best chance of recovery for this round in Sweden, where he should be feeling a lot better and where he should be able to get back to the form that saw him put in six strong finishes in a row in the three previous events.

With the good weather in Europe looking to remain, the Uddevalla track should be in prime condition, and with two years to work on everything for their next event, the facilities should also be up to their usual high standards as they welcome the best riders in the world. As with every event this year, the championship is back to a two-day format with free and timed practice followed by a qualification race on the Saturday, and then a morning warm-up and the two motos on the Sunday afternoon.

This article continues below

Tim Gajser 243
These past couple of weeks, I just wanted to get back to normal again and just try to enjoy my riding. Last time out in Lommel wasn’t the best and it was disappointing at the time, but I can’t change that now, I just have to go out and perform in Sweden and I feel confident I can make that happen. I enjoy Uddevalla and it is nice to go back there after a few years off, and I’m excited to ride in front of my Scandinavian fans once more.

Mitch Evans 43
It seems just as I’m making a bit of progress, something happens and I have to regroup and put my head down and work even harder to get back what I had. Everything was going so well in the qualification race in Lommel, but now I’ve had to recuperate a bit and just let my body recover and try to get back to that level again for Sweden. I’m looking forward to going there and riding well and just putting in the results I know I’m capable of. I feel I’ve been really close to doing that and I’m confident I can finish off this season strongly.

Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
It’s certainly been a challenging season, filled with a lot of good rounds, but also some tough rounds and last time out in Lommel it was a struggle. However, the good thing is that both Tim and Mitch are positive people so they won’t let it affect them, and they’ll both be highly motivated to do well this weekend in Sweden. The team are also making sure that everything will be perfect for them, just as it has all year and I’m extremely proud of the level they have maintained so far. We have four rounds left and we all want to do well at every event.

Words: HRC Honda

Image: Shot by Bavo