Tim Gajser had the ultimate rollercoaster ride at the end of 2024 losing the MXGP title at the last round in heart breaking fashion but then regrouping in less that a week to win his class at the MXoN with a 1-1 and memorable pass on Jett Lawrence with one corner to go in an all-star race that will go down in history.
Gajser told us: “I mean, definitely was a really good race, you know, especially after losing a title one week before that race. I was quite down, you know, because you work all year, you know, I was so close, I was having a red plate for, let’s say, most of the races. But then just slight little mistake in China and, yeah, we lost quite a lot of points and everything. And then Spain, I just didn’t quite well, you know, I was there, but Jorge was better on that last race.
“And I mean, on the end, looking back, I think we both deserve a championship because we both rode really good. We were both consistent, like always in front. But, yeah, then going to Matterley Basin, I wanted to do well, you know, that’s my favourite track.
“The ground, I mean, how they prepare the track with a little bit of rain was super deep, super technical. I like these kind of conditions when the track gets super rough, deep. So you have to really use the experience, you know, use, let’s say, your brain, you know, to create some lines.
“And, yeah, we had good races there and going 1-1 with so many legends, so many good riders”.
It was like an all-star race, wasn’t it?
Exactly. And to go 1-1, that was really a highlight. And, yeah, I was really happy, especially, like I said, losing a title a week before.
The whole world was watching! Did you plan on it in the lap or was that just a moment? You saw Jett go wide, you thought I’m going down the inside?
That was like, you know, the corner before was like tabletop. And then a left corner going up into the triple. Like, I remember like half a lap to go. I was already quite far, like two, three seconds. And then I just didn’t give up. I was just pushing until the end.
Then I found a really nice line in that left-hander before going on the triple. So, I opened up nicely the corner, you know, so I could cut more the corner when I make a pass. And, yeah, it was amazing, you know. Actually, in my career, I never did a pass just two corners to the end and win the race.
So, you know, to do it on such a big event, the biggest one, you know. Let’s say, Olympic Games in our sport. And, yeah, it was amazing.
The whole place just erupted all around! It was crazy.
I could hear that. I could hear that!
Get the full interview with Gajser after a brilliant performance at Arco below:
