For the two-time world motocross champion Tim Gajser, winning was something he knows well. His MX2 championship in 2015 was a surprise—he did get a little lucky with the injury to title favorite Jeffrey Herlings—but a championship is won at the end of the year and he did just that.

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His MXGP championship in 2016 was more a win of speed—where he was consistently the best rider at each GP—and that second title put him in the record books as one of very few men to win titles in two different classes. But still, he is hunger for more world championships continues.

In 2017 and with Antonio Cairoli back to form and fit, it wasn’t easy for the HRC rider and a bunch of injuries made his season difficult. Now in 2018, it’s a similar story: starting the season with a broken jaw, and his confidence down. Geoff caught up with the always friendly Honda rider last weekend in Latvia.

How did you feel in Latvia?

It wasn’t too bad, although that’s clearly not where we want to be. This is how things are looking at the moment, but we will keep working hard. I know what I’m capable of and I know I can do better than this, but step by step I think we will get there. Teutschenthal is next, and it’s a track I really like. It’ll be important to avoid mistakes and push hard to get the type of results we deserve. I want to thank the team for their invaluable work: the bike was really good throughout the whole weekend.

Tim is currently 9th in the standings with one moto and overall podium in 2018 so far.

How about your Saturday?

I’m quite happy with how today went, even despite the crash. I had a lot of fun on the track in free and timed practice. I had a decent start to the qualifying race although I went down to ninth after being passed by a couple of rivals. I slowly came back and managed to get past quite a few riders, then with two laps to go I just made a small mistake and lost the front.

 

How are you feeling, because obviously it isn’t going to plan?

Yes, sure, it isn’t the season we want, but that is how it is. We are working hard and trying to come back to where we want to be. Trying to get in my rhythm and back in shape, like I was two years ago. Step by step we are getting better. I start to enjoy it more and more, but still, this isn’t what I want.

 

Your body isn’t right, your head isn’t right?

I think the mental side. Physically I am ready, but mentally, we have some work to do. I know in the training how fast I can be, and also, I need to be more consistent, you know.

 

You have shown signs of being your old self. To be able to ride with Jeffrey and Antonio and not too many people have been able to do that.

Yes, for sure, but if we are honest, Jeffrey and Tony, they are on another level. Even if I am their rival racing for a championship, we have to be honest, they are a step in front of everyone. I am working hard to get closer and I will try that until the end of the season.

 

You already have two world championships, in MX1 and MXGP. Does that make it a little easier when you are in these situations? You have ready achieved more than most have in their career.

I don’t know, it the first time for me that it is like this. I got injured last year and I got injured, then I lose confidence, and don’t trust in myself. And now a year after I have a big crash and from now we start to rebuild everything, going back to the beginning. The fitness and mental side is important, and I am working on that right now, to get back mentally where I was.

Talk of the #243 coming to the US has quieted for the time being

How can you get that back? Maybe you also need some luck at the races?

Sure, you need some luck at the races, but like, I think confidence is everything, and you can see that with Jeffrey now, he is winning everything, and last year it wasn’t like that. He knows he can, and I know that feeling. 2016 I was coming to the race, and I knew I would win, I knew I was the guy to beat. That is what confidence is all about.

 

What about Germany and England, are you looking forward to those two tracks?

Yes, I like both those tracks, for sure more than the sand. Matterley is actually my favorite track, I ride good there and I like the feeling of the place. It’s a huge speed, big jumps, I like that.

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Your dad is known to be tough preparing you, is he more tough now, or was he tougher when you were winning?

He is the same, always the same, he didn’t change. Even if I am winning, he is still looking where I can be faster, even when you are winning you can go faster.

Bavo Swijgers images

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