Five-time World motocross champion, Tim Gajser has gone 1-1 to dominate the season opening Mantova International. The Slovenian had little trouble with the competition, and with Jeffrey Herlings possibly missing the early part of the season, and in fact, for sure the pre-season races, you have to have the Honda rider as a heavy favourite going into Argentina in a few weeks’ time.

Tim Gajser: I mean, finally we start the season and I couldn’t wait. We had a good off season and made some changed to the bike, the weather wasn’t the best, but its motocross and the starts were important. I took two solid starts, second both time and led the races, so I am happy. I mean all know Lucas is fast and it doesn’t surprise me and I think we will have some nice battles this year.

Lucas Coenen: Tough moto (the first one) and I was a bit lost and Tim passed me and I lost time and I was nervous but finished good and I had a good start in the second one and found a good rhythm, but the track was very tough, and we keep working for next week.

Lucas Coenen of the De Carli KTM factory team was second overall with 2-2 scores and a nice start to his 450 career and third overall was Andrea Bonacorsi with 3-3 results.

Moto Two - MXGP

Gifting took the holeshot in the second MXGP moto from Gajser but then fell on the second corner when his wheel got stuck in a rut. Fernandez was second with a HRC freight train, then Bonacorsi, Coenen, Guadagnini, Seewer, Spies, Koch, Tropepe, and Gifting now in 10th place.

The lead by Gajser was quickly 10 seconds with Bonacorsi one second behind Fernandez and pushing to get to Gajser. Fernandez a mistake and he dropped back as his bike stopped on the track and then the same thing happened to Gajser, but he got going again, with Coenen now into third place.

On lap three the gap was 10 seconds, with Coenen still close to third place and Guadagnini 23 seconds back. Fernandez out of the race as Gajser nearly collided with a fallen rider, to continue his adventures around this track. Bonacorsi 12 seconds back in second, then Coenen, Seewer, Guadagnini, Spies, Gifting, Tropepe, Pancar, and Zanocz.

Coenen into second place and looking really fast in these conditions. This kid might turn some heads in 2025 and I for one hope he can battle Gajser, Febvre and Herlings (when he is back) on a regular basis. On lap eight the lead by Gajser as 17.6 second, with Seewer 27.5 off the leader. Gajser wins the moto and the overall and heads to another Italian International race next weekend.

Bavo Swijgers image

MXGP Moto Two