Tim Gajser continued to add to his impressive legacy with a dominant performance at the French Grand Prix, securing his 51st career GP win. The five-time world champion looked in control all weekend, navigating the changing track conditions with ease. Gajser reflects on his weekend, the adjustments he’s made to his bike – including a switch to KYB suspension – and his thoughts on upcoming sand races. He also shares his perspective on racing against rising talents like Lucas Coenen.
GateDrop: That is the 51st GP win now, can you just talk me through your weekend and how you found the motos? It looked like you had pretty much everything under control all weekend…
Gajser: Yeah exactly, coming here I was feeling good, I really like the changes that they made to the track, it opened up a little bit more flow. Let’s say it was more enjoyable to ride with the 450’s. So yeah, already Saturday it starts really well, I was feeling comfortable on the bike, on the track. Today I think the track was a bit more technical, with the rain a bit more deeper, some ruts, so you could really make a little bit more difference than yesterday, because yesterday was quite flat, quite wide open, everybody was fast. But yeah, I managed to take two good starts, I was in front quite quickly and then make a gap and control the race. First moto, I mean with Roman we pushed quite hard, he was pushing until the end, but happy to win 1-1 for another overall.
GateDrop: I was going to ask you about the track actually, they didn’t rip it before the weekend because they were scared of the rain, and then time practice and free practice, like you said it was very fast, there was no real ruts. Do you prefer it when they rip the track or when they get technical like today because of the rain? In one way loads of ruts, they seem to suit you, but at the same time if there’s too many ruts you sort of get stuck, whereas yesterday it’s more open, maybe you can move about more, just what’s your thoughts on that?
Gajser: I mean I think they were afraid of the rain, if they dig too deep or rip too deep, then it can be like really muddy and when it’s too muddy then we just clean one line and it’s just one line track, so I think the decision was okay. Like I say the track was really flat, fast all day let’s say, and today they didn’t rip a lot also, but it was because of the rain, it got softer, still on some corners, the 180s the ruts were super deep. We were dragging the footpegs, but it was really technical today, a bit more and with the bumps, with the ruts, so many of them, you need to be creative, you need to make new lines, found something, so it’s let’s say easier to make a difference, so yeah overall was good and I think both days was okay, I think the crew for the track did a good job.
GateDrop: Battling with Lucas, more so yesterday, how was that? Obviously you two had a very good relationship, are you still quite close or maybe not too much now as he’s now more of a rival?
Gajser: No, I mean we are still good friends, you know, but obviously on the track we don’t have friends, you know. But like a lot of respect, you know, not just him, but everybody on the track, that’s just me. But yeah it’s nice after the race, when you see him so happy, so I was really happy for him to win the qualifying race and even today to pull two solid moto’s, to stay on two wheels, I think that’s important for him to take experience and speed he showed us that he had, you know, and I mean like I expect from him from now on that he will be fighting with us.
GateDrop: Sand riding at the next GP, the first sand race, obviously you like to go back to Slovenia a lot, you’re obviously good in the sand anyway, but have you done much sand riding so far this year? How do you feel in the sand?
Gajser: In Sardinia we always go for preparation, you know, so basically January, all January, beginning of February until the preparation races we mainly ride Riola. I mean we did some changes on the bike this year and I feel more comfortable, so yeah, really looking forward going to Riola.
GateDrop: I believe you were with Showa Suspension for many years, there was a change this year to KYB, what was the reason for that change?
Gajser: I mean we just, I got the opportunity to try them and I was happy with them so I continued with them.
GateDrop: How do you feel, have you changed the bike much from the winter until now and how did you feel on day one of the new suspension?
Gajser: I felt immediately really comfortable but yeah overall I would say we have quite a good base, so we are not changing a lot. Obviously a little bit from track to track, but like yeah, really happy where we are.
GateDrop: Between now and the next round, go back home, reset or will you maybe stay somewhere close to ride some sand?
Gajser: No, I’m going back home, I have my private track in Croatia, in the sand that I always train, so going back home and then definitely doing some riding in the sand.
GateDrop: Before the start of the season I was looking at your stats and they’re pretty incredible, obviously your career isn’t over yet, but when you reflect on what you’ve done so far, I don’t know if you look at stats that much, but so far you must be pretty proud of what you’ve achieved in your career, it’s pretty unbelievable, especially because you didn’t win so much in MX2, you’ve done most of your winnings in the toughest class in the world as well…
Gajser: Yeah exactly, I mean it’s nice when you see, especially last weekend. I didn’t really know that I won my 50th Grand Prix until I came behind the podium and they told me so, I mean it’s nice, it makes me realise that I’m quite a long time already in the paddock, riding in MXGP class, also doing two years before on the beginning in MX2 class, but mainly I switched quite early to 450s and had some good years. I won some championships, won some titles, I mean quite many GP’s as well. It’s nice and I’m super proud and hopefully we can manage to win even more in the future.
GateDrop: Can you tell me when your contract with HRC is up, is it your contract year this year or have you got a few more years left on it?
Gajser: It is this year.
