Can he get any better? Is it possible? Possibly the fastest motocross rider in the world at the moment, Tim Gajser is just chewing up his competition and spitting them out. Nobody can match his speed and the level is without question faster than we have seen in a long time, maybe ever.
The Gariboldi Honda rider once again went 1-1 to capture his 6th GP victory of the season and his 11th of his career. For the public, this young kid as breathed some fresh air into the MXGP series, and it is clear he is now the most popular rider in the series.
His countrymen are going crazy for his success and Tim was kind enough to sit down with us and talk about his victory, and the mental edge he now has over his rivals. He also talks about his plans to just race the Monster Energy Cup in America, and doesn’t have plans as yet to race in American full time. As he also mentioned this to us in Latvia in one of our exclusive interviews.
Tim, you have a 74-point lead. Does that change your game plan at all?
I think I am thinking the same, just going and having fun. If I start thinking about the points or championship that isn’t good.
You look so smooth and in control now. Is it easier now that your confidence is growing?
It is never easy in MXGP, and for sure not with a legend riding next to you. It is never easy, but I am getting more comfortable with the bike and used to the 450 and I am still learning and getting better and better.
How does the win feel?
I am really happy to win again. I was really looking forward to going to Matterley [Basin]. Big jumps and big speed and I was enjoying it. Second moto was more difficult because of the rain and we had issues with our goggles. I am so happy to make two good races.
You made another ridiculously amazing pass this weekend&mash;the one on Evgeny. Can you explain that pass?
It was over the finish line, and I scrubbed and had the inside and was able to pull a quick gap. I was so happy with the riding, because in Italy and Latvia I was in a hurry, but I am learning quickly to not make those mistakes. It’s so important to ride smart.
You still seem to be having a lot of fun out there. Is that how it feels?
I came into this season as the MXGP rookie. Like in Qatar, I didn’t expect a lot. I went there without any goal and of course I expected to do well, but I went there with the aim to just ride, have fun and enjoy myself. That is the key and every race I enter and every race I enter in the future, like Mantova, Lommel, Loket, I will just go to these races to have fun, that is the key to winning.
Nobody wants a rider to get injured. How do you feel about the injury to Romain Febvre?
You know, as a rider you don’t want anyone to get injured and that is the sport, and it can happen to anyone. Every time you go out there you are risking injury. I want to wish him a quick recovery and I wish to see him back on the bike soon.
How important is it to beat the competition mentally, because looking at it, it seems you might have already beaten Antonio mentally. How important is that?
I think that is the most important thing, because I believe everything is in the head. The win is in the head, you have to believe you can win before the gate drops and it is the most important part, also of all sports, just not motocross.
Whenever I put a story with you on my website, it always has like 10 times the views of the other stories. Seems like 1000’s of your countrymen are following you, going crazy for you, but also inside the paddock. It seems like you are the most popular rider this year.
Actually back home the popularity of the sport is going quick. People who never watch motocross are crazy about it, watching all the races on Sunday. I am really glad that I can help that sport grow in my country. I have a chance to be sportsman of the year, I have a good chance. Last year I was fifth and also the youngster sportsman for the year last year. We will see.
Do you expect a lot of your countrymen to be in Mantova next weekend?
It is going to be many people in Mantova, I think it’s the closest GP from my country and for sure there will be many people there and I look forward to that.
A lot of sand tracks coming up. With your style you should be good in the sand. What do you think?
Actually I haven’t ridden on the sand for a while now, but before Lommel we will go to Belgium and ride in the sand and make some testing.
You mentioned to us last month you will do the Monster Energy Cup, any other plans for some races in America?
It is too early to speak about where I go next year. We are just focused on the GP season. The plan is Monster Energy Cup, and that is all for now.
Ray Archer images
