Tim Gajser had one final great ride on his HRC Honda to end his era with the team on a high after 3-4 score helped Slovenia to an all-time high of fifth overall at the MXoN! We caught up with Tim after the race to get his thoughts on his final race for a brand he has represented with class and success with five world titles to his name on big red.
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Tim Gajser, your last race on a Honda there. Looked like you gave it your all all weekend and you even tried to chase down Jett Lawrence again in that last moto – were you able to enjoy your last weekend here?
Yeah. Actually I enjoy a lot, you know, being here for Des Nations in America. The track was amazing, it was a bit sketchy today: bumpy, slippery on some places but yeah actually I felt good, you know. First moto i was a bit tight, i had a little bit of arm pump. But then for the second moto we did some changes and I felt way better. The start was not good, I think I started around 25th, something like that, but I came through the pack, made many passes and finished fourth. So yeah, really happy with how I finish the season, so yeah, it was good.
Do you enjoy these events just on an individual level where you’re racing the Americans? Now with Jan Pancar riding so well, it really gives Slovenia a chance to kind of show what they’re capable of as well!
Exactly. I mean in the past, I was here just let’s say to ride individual, you know. But like now, I think we finished fifth so that is incredible for such a small country, to battle with such big countries in motocross. Jan did amazing job in the second moto, he was even leading in the beginning a little bit and then riding all the moto in second. Then he got a third place so he helped a lot. And even in the last moto, we both gave our best and yeah, like I said, we end up fifth so the best ever result – it is just incredible
There’s a lot of people in a lot of high-level sports (basketball, cycling, etc) people in Slovenia in this generation what’s going on in Slovenia?!
I mean we are a small, small country like I said. Just a little bit over two million people live there. So yeah, we are always super motivated, we want to show the world that it doesn’t matter how big the country is, you know? Even if you are coming from a place that maybe not many people know – like where we live – we can still be good in sports. We have heart, we always give our best and I think that’s why we are good in all kind of sports.
Has it been an emotional weekend you’ve been with Honda you put 10 years maybe more it’s like a obviously on a human level with all the people they’re like family I’m sure!
Exactly, I mean definitely it’s been a difficult weekend you know, knowing that. I mean now it’s not the secret anymore – it’s a last race with them. we’re gonna have some changes for next year so yeah. It’s never easy you know to to go away from such a great relationship we’ve been together 12 years, 12 seasons we won some titles together, won many GPs together. Yeah, it’s not easy but that’s sport you know, that’s life, so we have to move on.
The crash in Switzerland, it felt like you’re in the form of your life until that crash and I feel like the crash wasn’t directly your fault with the way the track was – how hard was that mentally deal with because you were on such a high at that moment?
Yeah, I felt really good. I mean like it’s difficult to say if that was the best ever you know how I felt but I felt really good on the bike and coming into the Swiss GP I won three out of five GPs so the the gap in the championship was already really nice and comfortable and then that crash happened. I mean yeah, it was a weird crash you know, there was there was some things the mounds of the dirt on the side of the track where I think they should not be. Especially on such a high-speed section. But yes, I mean it happened to me, but I hope the guys and the FIM, In Front, they learn something. It’s sad that something like that has to happen so that they make some changes but I hope in the future they will make it safer as well in case you go off the track but yeah, I feel like that was the end of let’s say I think another amazing year. But like I said before you know, that Motocross. Crashes, injuries are part of the sport but it’s not easy to accept it, especially when you are when you are up front.
You would have had six world titles probably an extra million in the bank you know this directly affects your life and your legacy in a way you know these crashes, because of the track.
Yes. But I mean I try to put that already behind me you know, honestly. I mean the memory is gonna still be there you know? When I will think about 2025, I will always remember how well I felt at the beginning and then you know the crash cost me maybe maybe the sixth world title, you know? Maybe, maybe, maybe… you know so that’s how it is, we’re gonna have another opportunity next year so we’re gonna work hard during the winter, go testing, prepare the bike and then we should be back ready to fight for another world title.
You’re obviously making a change of manufacturer, so is there as sad as it is to leave this team, is it exciting to have something different than to look forward to?
Exactly, I mean like I said: from one part it is sad you know? To leave such a team great people we have done so many things together but from the other side I’m really looking forward you know something new, new beginning let’s say new things to try so yeah, I’m super motivated.
So next year 2026 Jeffrey’s changing team, you’re changing team…
I think it’s gonna be exciting for the first round, it is gonna be interesting!
It is maybe what MXGP actually needs, Lucas your buddy really fast, Kay de Wolf might be going 450, we’re not sure it’s so it’s really maybe an ejection of an excitement in MXGP!
I think it’s good I think it’s good for the sport you know. There are many people you know to that follow MXGP but I think with things like that, changes like that, it brings even more attention you know people are more excited. So I think it’s not bad I think it’s not bad I think it’s gonna be good.
