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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1142434
IN THE WIND P28 The Gajser, Prado Machine Keeps Rolling O nce again, Tim Gajser and Jorge Prado stood atop their respective podiums in the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship. Their latest success took place at the MXGP of Asia 2019 (round 12), in Semarang, Indonesia, July 13-14. Gajser won both MXGP races, while Prado did the same in MX2. Gajser, on the HRC Honda, dominated the MXGP class, despite riding with a sore ankle that he injured the day before in qualifying. He managed one holeshot but led every lap of both motos to take the overall win, his seventh straight win of the season, a record breaker for Honda for the most consecutive wins in the same year. It was also Gajser's eighth victory of 2019. "I was having fun on both days this weekend," Gajser said. "Unfortunately, yesterday I had a crash in timed practice and I hurt my right ankle a little bit, but other than a bit of pain yesterday, it was certainly a great weekend again. "In the first moto, I had a great start, taking the holeshot and leading the whole race. In the second one, I started third and made a quick pass, and then made another one a bit later in lap one before making a gap to control the race. I was really having fun out there although the track was a little slippery in some places, but I still got two moto wins, so I can't complain! "I'm trying not to put pressure on myself on each weekend, and I know if I can have fun, I can ride really fast, and that seems to be working right now," Gajser added. "It is also an honor to have the biggest win-streak for a Honda rider in world motocross, a lot of really talented riders have ridden on this great brand, and it is amazing to have achieved this. I hope I can keep it going for as long as possible, and I must also thank Team HRC for helping me out so much and giving me all the support I need in order to do this." Gajser now has a commanding lead in the 2019 MXGP Cham- pionship. He leads Swiss rider Jeremy Seewer (Yamaha), who was third in Semarang, by 173 points. Seewer moved up into second in the championship, overtaking Antonio Cairoli, who is sidelined for the rest of the season with an injury. Fellow Swiss rider Arnaud Tonus (Yamaha) was second on the day after going 2-3. Seewer went 3-4. KTM's Glenn Coldenhoff (4-7) was fourth overall, and Husqvarna's Max Anstie (7- 6) rounded out the top five overall. There were no real surprises in MX2. Once again, champi- onship leader Prado (Red Bull KTM) was on point and topped both motos. He finished the first moto 11 seconds ahead of his teammate Tom Vialle and four seconds ahead of French rider Maxime Renaux (Yamaha) in race two. It was Prado's 10th straight overall win and the 26th of his career. It was also a productive day for Prado in the championship. Jorge Prado won again in MX2. PHOTO: RAY ARCHER