Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1456050
Gajser Wins MXGP Opener T im Gajser claimed the overall win at the 2022 MXGP open- er in Great Britain at Matterley Basin, February 27, while Simon Laengenfelder of Germany won the MX2 class. Gajser, on the HRC Honda, came out swinging in the first MXGP moto to take the win, but the Slovenian had to work for it. The former MXGP champ started off in sixth and fought his way to the front, stealing away the lead from Jeremy Seewer two laps from the finish. Seewer took second, followed by Max Renaux (Yamaha), Jorge Prado (KTM) and Jed Beaton (Kawasaki). It was another hard day in the office for Gajser in moto two after starting off in fourth. But, as in moto one, the Honda rider forged his way to the front after passing race leader Prado, who had held the point since the start, four laps from the finish. But Gajser was denied the win after dropping his bike in a rutted drop-off which allowed Prado back by. "I just leaned the bike too much and touched the ground with the rear brake, so I went down," Gajser said. "It was a weird crash." Gajser remounted quickly and the two battled to the finish with Prado just holding on for the win. However, Gajser's 1-2 was still good enough for the overall win. Glenn Coldenhoff (Yamaha), Seewer and Ruben Fernandez (Honda) rounded out the top five in the moto. Overall, Gasjer emerged on top ahead of Prado (4-1), Seewer (2-4), Renaux (3-6) and Colden- hoff (9-3). "It is great to begin the sea- son with a strong performance like today," Gajser said. "I didn't make it easy, getting bad starts in both races, but I came through to the front, making passes on a tricky surface, and in the first moto I came through for the win. Unfortunately, in race two, I got to the front, but I made a small mistake with a couple of laps remaining and, although I pushed really hard to get back into the lead, I crossed the line less than a second behind. Still, I won the GP overall and lead the MXGP championship, and that was the aim coming into today." Prado was happy with his day. "Today was a great day," said Prado. "To start the season on the podium was perfect. First race I felt a bit rusty, and I knew I would be better in the second race. I took a good start, and I had a good pace, but Tim was IN THE WIND P48 Honda's Tim Gajser kicked off the 2022 MXGP Championship with the overall win at Matterley Basin.