It was a fantastic Grand Prix in Switzerland for Tim Gajser who is in a very intense MXGP championship battle. Prado had been gaining ground but Gajser pulled out a 1-1 exactly when he needed it to extend his points lead and he looked a million dollars around a very technical track.
We caught up with Gajser to discuss his weekend and much more…
GateDrop: Two very different motos for you… The first moto, good start and controlled things at the front. Second moto, completely different. Not such a good start, but the end result was the same. So, overall, I’m sure you’re pleased to go 1-1… Very important for the championship.
Gajser: Yeah, exactly. I mean, today definitely the goal was trying to be in front, you know. I really… I mean, the track was sketchy, small, you know. It was not easy to ride on it, especially with the 450cc. But, actually, I gelled with the track quite nicely. The first moto, I think I had a solid start. I was third and then made a quick pass at the beginning. And then, yeah, made a comfortable lead, gap and controlled the race. The second one, the start was not the best. I got kind of pushed wide. And then, yeah, I found some nice lines, good flow on the track. I managed to pick the riders in front of me to pass them and I was in the lead. And then, again, I made a little gap and controlled the race. So, it was quite nice, you know, good feeling to finally, after a long time go 1-1, you know. I won GP’s this year, but, like, it was always with 1-2, 1-3, something like that. It was never really a perfect day, let’s say. I’m really happy to do it here, you know. It’s also, let’s say, a crucial moment of the championship. It was really important to get good races, to get good rides, to give me confidence, you know, for the last three GP’s. So, yeah, all looking good.
GateDrop: How did the track change from Saturday to Sunday? Obviously, Saturday a lot of deep ruts, but it was dry. Sunday sort of started wet, got a bit drier and, again, a lot of deep ruts… Was it more hard pack today? It looked like you need to be really smart on the throttle and have good throttle control…
Gajser: Actually, I think the rain overnight was actually good for the track, you know. The track became more deeper, more techier, way more lines. I mean, like, even yesterday we had a lot of lines, but it was a bit more harder. But today, you know, the ground was super, let’s say, tacky, grippy, and you could create the lines yourself as well. So, yeah, it was good. I would say I definitely prefer the track today than yesterday, but in the end it was not such a big difference, you know. It was rough.
GateDrop: Coming into this weekend, obviously, you still had the red plate but it kind of felt like the momentum was with Prado because he’d got quite a good few GP wins under his belt. Did you feel like that? I think you needed this 1-1 to extend your points lead, so that’s positive.
Gajser: I mean, I felt good. I mean, I know that coming to Lommel and Arnhem, I mean, I did a lot of riding in the sand and testing. Arnhem was better, but Lommel I was really struggling. So I know that it’s going to be difficult to ride with the guys, you know, like Jeffrey and Jorge. But anyway, I give my best, you know… I think in Arnhem we were really close. We were not that far like in Lommel. But yeah, I know that on the good day I can ride the same pace. I mean, if I feel good, I know that I can be the fastest one out there. And yeah, definitely these kind of wins, you know, gives you confidence for the future.
GateDrop: Just on the 2025 Honda, from the start of the season the bikes looked amazing. Have you made many changes or have you just kept things the same? And if you’ve made changes, what kind of things have you changed? Because the bike, like I said, looks so good from round one…
Gajser: Yeah, I mean, like the first time I sat on the bike, you know, I felt really good. But if I’m completely honest, we changed so many things. From race to race, you know, just trying to get more comfortable. Because, you know, with us three, let’s say the pace is so high the little things can make a big difference in the end. So, we are constantly testing, you know, trying something different to see if it’s better or if it’s not better, we came back and try something else, you know. So, I mean, definitely always looking for improvements.
GateDrop: Just what’s it like being in such an intense championship battle? I mean, a mistake now, a costly mistake now, which means you finish 15th or whatever, would be detrimental. What’s that like? Is that something you even think about?
Gajser: I mean, it’s really intense, yeah. You know that you have to push, you have to go for the win every time, but at the same time you have to be smart and not make a mistake, you know. So, definitely it’s not easy for all of us, all three of us. I would say these kind of battles, you know, in the championship, especially the closer we are coming to the end when the gap is not that big, you know, it’s not easy, especially on the mental side. I think we are all fit, we are all in great shape, but mentally you have to be really strong.
GateDrop: Jacky Vimond is exclusive to HRC Honda this year. How closely do you work with him? I think you only started working with him this year, is that right? What’s it like working with him?
Gajser: Let’s say a couple of rounds into the season. It’s nice to have Jacky, you know, he has a lot of experience, he’s been in motocross for a long time so, yeah, it’s nice to have him around the track to see some nice lines, you know, smooth lines and to give me some advices. I’m really happy to have him.
GateDrop: The Motocross des Nations, have you got it confirmed yet that Slovenia are going to be going? And obviously, if so, you’ll be there. Is that an event you’re looking forward to?
Gajser: It’s not official yet, but like, yeah, I think we’re going to go. I mean, I don’t want to miss the nations at Matterley Basin. It’s my favourite track and we’re looking forward, you know, that’s a proper motocross track and I think the event, you know, MXoN is something special, especially after the season is done, you know, let’s say a bit more relaxed, but obviously we want to do well as well for the country.
GateDrop: Just on Slovenia, I’m not sure if you follow the Tour de France, but Pogacar, what an animal he is, he absolutely smoked everyone this year. For Slovenia, that’s really good… Do you know Pogacar at all?
Gajser: Yeah, I mean, like, we met many times at kind of like gala evets, you know, the Slovenia government or things like that, ceremonies, you know. He’s an amazing guy and I think he’s so successful because he’s so simple, you know, and I think that’s a way to success… I mean, we all are simple guys. At the end, you have to stay the same, you know, before you win something and even after you have to stay the same and I think that’s the right thing to do and yeah, he’s a great guy.
