Tim Gajser delivered a statement ride at Arco di Trento, securing his first MXGP moto victory with Yamaha machinery and finishing second overall in what was a dramatic and emotional weekend. The Slovenian star, still recovering from broken ribs, dug deep to claim the race win in the second moto, showcasing both his trademark determination and growing comfort with his new team. Backed by an electric atmosphere from the fans, Gajser’s performance marked a significant milestone in his transition to Yamaha colours — and a reminder that even when not at full fitness, he remains one of the sport’s fiercest competitors.
Following the race, we caught up with Gajser as he opened up about riding through the pain barrier, the strategy behind his decisive move for the win, and how he is adapting to life with Yamaha as he continues to build momentum heading into the next phase of the MXGP season.
GateDrop: Tim, you didn’t get the overall, but a moto win it was and the first one on the Yamaha, you must feel amazing.
Gajser: Yeah, it feels great. I mean today I was least expecting something like that. I feel like the fans were just amazing and they were just pushing me every lap, especially that second moto. When I came in the lead, when Lucas made a mistake, I was leading and then Jeffrey was pushing from behind and I was also pushing. I mean I’m super happy and thankful, huge thank you to the team and everybody involved. It’s a first win for me in Yamaha.
GateDrop: Broken ribs, you kept that one quite, and just how much pain were you in out there?
Gajser: F**k, a lot, a lot of pain. I mean I was riding under a lot of pain. Even, I didn’t train a lot, you know, during the week between the Riola and here in Arco. Coming into the weekend, I knew that it was going be a difficult one, but the physios, you know, Tina back home and also Filippo here, did a great job. We were treating every day, twice a day and doing the treatments and everything, trying to get me better. But we all know, you know, in one week you can’t do magic. But anyway, we managed, I mean, I didn’t give up and I’m really happy to finish on the podium.
GateDrop: You like to say a happy rider is a fast rider. Even though were in a bit of pain, it genuinely looked like you were having fun out there. Maybe you weren’t though, but it looked like it. It looked like you the old Tim Gajser!
Gajser: Yes, I mean, in the first moto, I think you could see, everybody could see that last couple of laps I just backed up a little bit, I tried to save some energy. The pain was starting to be bigger and bigger each lap. I felt like at the beginning the speed was good, but then just faded a little bit. But then for the second one, I felt like, when I was in the lead, you know, it was like the first time after a long time that I was leading a race and when I was in that position. I mean I just give it all, you know, even if I felt the pain, I was just pushing, pushing, pushing and it paid off.
GateDrop: Being behind Lucas in the second moto, it did look like you were just trying to pressure him and force him into a mistake and that’s exactly what happened. Was that what the game plan was?
Gajser: Yeah, exactly. I mean like it was not easy to pass because the pace between me and him was quite similar and it was not easy really to prepare a pass or pass. I came even more closer because I was there on one second and putting a pressure on him and he made a mistake on his own. I was in the lead and then I just give it my all to bring it home.
GateDrop: Just being with Yamaha. How is all that going? They seem to be bending over backwards for you to get you comfortable. Are you happy with everything they’re doing?
Gajser: I mean, we’re working a lot. We are working a lot, still testing a lot. I would say that each race I feel better and better. Still, I feel like there is a place to improve and I think this four week break is going to be good for us. I feel like we need this and then when we came back after four weeks, we can really start to fight.
GateDrop: After Switzerland you went to the Netherlands for 12 days. You’re usually in Slovenia. How was that riding the rough Dutch sand tracks and also in Lommel, that you’ve never done before during the week!
Gajser: It was nice. I mean, I spent my Easter alone there in Belgium without all the family. Usually, if I don’t race for Easter, I usually spend Easter together with the family, with the closest ones. But no, I said we have to go, we have to go to Belgium to the team. It was super nice also to see what a nice facility that the team have there. It’s incredible, the workshops and all the recovery stuff, the fitness that we have for the riders. I spent there more or less 10 days, I did some good testing. I feel like when we were coming in Riola, I was coming in way more confident. I feel like the riding in Riola was good but I just did too many mistakes but the speed and the pace was there.
GateDrop: Now, there’s a break in MXGP which is usually unheard of. What’s your plans between now and France – I think at least one Italian championship?
Gajser: Yes, we have some plans. We have some plans. Yes, I would like to do at least one, if not two, Italian Championships. I definitely try to keep the race rhythm as much as possible in the race conditions. Four weeks is quite a long break, it’s kind of like an off-season in the season. We need to time the training good, the testing good, the training good, to not over-train myself. I also need to not do too many stuff, but not do not enough, you know.
GateDrop: I can’t let you go without asking you about the fans. Unbelievable, the sighting lap, could you even see the track (laughs). It was crazy.
Gajser: Yeah, it was crazy, was crazy. I feel like this weekend was amazing. Again, I have said it so many times, but a big thank you to everyone that came to support me. I could hear them every lap there in that corner, but not just there, all around the track. They were cheering, especially in second moto and especially when we were going into the last two laps, the last lap, and then crossing the finish line, winning that second moto. Under the podium as well, they were, they were super loud. A huge thank you, and I’m really thankful for everyone.
