Team HRC’s Tim Gajser made it a perfect day in Trentino, Italy, winning the 2020 MXGP World Motocross Championship after his two-one results, which were good enough to also take the overall victory at the MXGP of Pietramurata.
Coming into today’s racing, Gajser needed to beat his closest rival by two points in the first race, or score 27 points in total in order to secure the championship. After a bad start, this was looking unlikely but the Honda CRF450RW rider quickly found his rhythm and posted the fastest lap of the moto as he swept through the field. By the midpoint of the race he was in second place and although he pressured the leader heavily, he wasn’t quite able to make the pass stick. However, at that stage he knew second place would be good enough to seal his fourth world title, and his second MXGP crown in succession, crossing the line to spark scenes of celebration.
After a difficult year for the whole championship with the five-month break after round two, Gajser once again proved that he was the best rider in this highly competitive MXGP class, winning more races, leading more laps and posting more fastest laps than anyone else. Defending a title is always a big challenge, but Gajser has continually shown speed and control and he managed to wrap up this 2020 championship with three motos still remaining.
Of course, the #243 (newly changed to #1 for race two) still wanted to take the overall victory here in Trentino, and he knew a race win would do just that. As has become the norm in recent weeks, the Honda rider ripped another holeshot before leading every moment in what was a tight battle to the chequered flag. This was his fourth overall in just seven rounds and the perfect way to finish his championship-winning day.
After the celebrations, the team will now focus on finishing the season on a high by trying to win the MXGP of Garda-Trentino, the 18th and final round of this 2020 world championship.