Photos by: Chase Yocom

Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Tim Gajser became the youngest ever MXGP World Champion at just nineteen years-young. The #243 also became the first rider to have won the MX2 and MXGP Championship title in back-to-back years since Greg Albertyn won the 125cc and 250cc World Championship way back in ’91 and ’92.

There are rumors saying the Slovenian may make the jump to American motocross and supercross full time in possibly 2018, but he’s already clinched two World Championships in the U.S. Last year Tim clinched his MX2 World Championship at Glen Helen and this year he locked it down at last weekend’s inaugural MXGP of the Americas with a second overall on the night.

Have a look as Geoff Meyer talks to Tim about his future, his race in Charlotte and more.

Tim Gajser, World Champion! I mean two championships and you win them both in America. Is that some kind of sign for the future?

[Laughing] Maybe it is. I won both championships in America, like you said. I’m really happy about it.

After locking down the Championship with a 4th in moto one, Tim came back a lot stronger with a 2nd in moto two.
After locking down the Championship with a 4th in moto one, Tim came back a lot stronger with a 2nd in moto two.

Are you a little bit disappointed how the last two weeks went—as far as your riding—because it isn’t like it was.

Yeah, the things that happened in the last few weeks are things that can happen to anyone. You know everybody makes mistakes. It’s not easy to go out there every weekend and be on the podium. For sure it came to some bad weekends, but the most important thing is that after that bad weekend you still never give up. We went back home and trained even harder. I try to stay motivated and I think that is the key.

 

What did your dad tell you after Assen, because I remember him saying he was going to be angry with you?

No actually our language is like that. It’s different, but he is also speaking a bit louder. For sure he was disappointed—also me. The person who was most disappointed was me, because I had two horrible races you know. But like I said, it happens. Shit happens. So we went back home, regrouped and I think this weekend we came quite strong.

 

How are you going to celebrate?

Right now I just want back to the hotel you know. Maybe speak with my girlfriend and straightly go to bed. Then go to the west coast. When I’m back in Slovenia I’m definitely going to celebrate.

The celebration was real in Charlotte.
The celebration was real in Charlotte.

You had a fantastic season. Ups and downs at some point, but finally you made it. Congratulations. How is it to be a World Champion once again?

Yeah, it’s just amazing. Last year I won MX2 championship and this year the MXGP championship, so it has just been an amazing two years. I’m really looking forward to the rest. I’m still young and really motivated. I’m just really happy, and I want to say a huge thanks to everybody.

 

Last weekend we saw you make several mistakes. You mentioned that you weren’t comfortable at all, but this weekend and especially today you managed to stay on two wheels. You managed to do your race, so I guess there is a lot of psychological stuff going on.

Yeah for sure. In the first race, I didn’t have the best start. I was riding behind Jeremy all the race, so I didn’t find the rhythm. I was really fighting with the bike and didn’t enjoy it at all, but at the end it was just amazing. When i came over here everybody was just waiting for me. So yeah, amazing feeling you know.

 

Tell us about the second moto. You were more relaxed, and you had a fantastic start. Tell us about that.

Yeah, after the first one I went to the truck and I said to myself “It’s done.” So I don’t have any pressure. I got a good start and also the first couple of laps riding was good. I was feeling good. I made a small mistake, but then came back in good rhythm, so I stayed in second for overall second. That was good.

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.