As the 2016 MXGP season embarks upon its final back-to-back trio of races, the Assen TT circuit plays host to round 16, where Tim Gajser could write the next chapter in motocross history.

“I have very good memories from Assen last year because it’s where I took the lead of the MX2 title, and on sand too. It was a really nice track, but the sand is deep and last year it got rutted so was quite tough.”

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“Of course I know that I have the chance to take the title this weekend, but to be honest I try not to think about it. I’ve said before that if you go out just to collect points something can go wrong or strange, so there’s no need to change our approach at all.”

“We go to win, like at every other race, as that’s the best way to focus. We’re all still feeling relaxed and good, and after a little break since Switzerland we’re fresh, recharged and ready to go!”

At this point last season, Gajser came into the Assen round with a four-point deficit to the lead of the MX2 World Championship, which he subsequently won at the final race of the year.

Now, in his rookie MXGP season aboard the CRF450RW, the Honda Gariboldi rider has a 99-point lead in the standings. Two good results on Sunday, scoring a single point more than closest rival Antonio Cairoli, would write the next chapter in the history books for GT243 with back-to-back World Championship titles.

The final round in Europe before the pairing of American races, Assen became a brand new venue in 2015 when the popular MotoGP circuit was transformed with 25,000 cubic metres of imported sand to create the man-made track which winds its way from the road-racing track’s last corner, along the main straight and back down the pit lane into the paddock area.

Tim Gasjer has a commanding lead in MXGP Champiosnhip
Tim Gasjer has a commanding lead in MXGP Champiosnhip

Action gets underway at 1045hrs on Saturday morning with the start of free practice, at which point all eyes in the motocross world will be watching the 19-year-old Slovenian wearing the red #243.

Giacomo Gariboldi is also looking forward to seeing what happens in Assen. A special rider might be crowned world champion on sunday and what a deserved world champion he will be.

“Whilst of course we know the potential of this weekend, it’s important that we all remain calm and relaxed, and approach it just like any other race. We’ve shown all year that our approach is working very well and that we work so well together, so we will not change anything.”

“We showed last year that we cope well with the pressure, with the MX2 title going down to the last race of the season, so actually we treat this race just like any other this season. Tim rode really very well there last year to take the red plate, so we’re all excited about this weekend and continuing the remarkable performance Tim’s delivered all year.”

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