Gajser Goes 1-1 in Portugal

HRC factory rider Tim Gajser made good of his poor performance in Mantova last week with a perfect 1-1 in Portugal today. The two time World champion scored his 17^th GP victory of his career and closed up the points lead by Antonio Cairoli, who went 2-2 this weekend.

“I am really happy,” Gajser said. “I was enjoying the whole weekend. We had a solid start and then Tony made a mistake, and I won the race. Last weekend we were struggling and didn’t ride well and this week we regrouped and I want to thank my team and all the fans and everyone around me."

"Yes,” Cairoli said. “Not so happy of course, but its part of racing. First moto I stalled my bike and then I was struggling to pass Desalle and I had arm pump and I passed him, but then I made a small mistake and he passed me. I had to work back to second and it isn’t what you expect after Mantova, but Tim was very strong today and I am holding control for the championship."

Desalle in the lead of the second MXGP moto, and then Cairoli, Tonus, Paulin, Lupino, Gajser, Seewer, Lieber, Jonass and Coldenhoff. Gajser nearly down in a while mistake but kept his position.

Been a while since Desalle led a Sunday and he looked sharp in first. After a lap it was Desalle, Cairoli, Tonus, Gajser, Seewer, Paulin, Febvre, Jonass, Coldenhoff, Van Horebeek 10^th.

Gajser into third place and four Yamahas of Tonus, Seewer, Paulin and Febvre in chase. Simpson 12^th and Searle 13^th.

Gajser moving fast and onto Cairoli for second place. Nice to see Desalle and Cairoli battling again, wasn’t sure we would see this in 2019. Seewer went past Tonus, and Jasikonis up to 16^th place.

Cairoli really pushing the Belgian for the lead and Gajser fighting hard to stay with them. Nice move by Cairoli to take the lead and Gajser also went past into second place. Gajser wants this GP, but at the moment they are equal on points.

Cairoli went down in a corner and dropped back to fourth place. Gajser now looking likely to win the GP. After nine laps it was Gajser, Desalle, Tonus, Cairoli, Seewer, Paulin, Febvre, Jonass, Coldenhoff and Lieber 10^th.

After 12 laps Cairoli making no impression on Desalle and Tonus and Gajser was long gone. A nice 10 second lead to the HRC rider on lap 12. Tonus into second and Cairoli also goes past Desalle.

Cairoli into second place, but with a lead of 10 second Gajsers race and GP victory is secure. Gajser wins it from Cairoli and Tonus.

MXGP - GP Classification

1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 50 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 44 p.; 3. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 40 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 33 p.; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 29 p.; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 28 p.; 7. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 28 p.; 8. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 27 p.; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 26 p.; 10. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 22 p.; 11. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 20 p.; 12. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 18 p.; 13. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KAW), 18 p.; 14. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 16 p.; 15. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, KTM), 12 p.; 16. Benoit Paturel (FRA, KAW), 8 p.; 17. Vsevolod Brylyakov (RUS, YAM), 6 p.; 18. Tanel Leok (EST, HUS), 6 p.; 19. Tommy Searle (GBR, KAW), 5 p.; 20. Petar Petrov (BUL, KTM), 4 p.; 21. Anton Gole (SWE, YAM), 1 p.; 22. Brian Bogers (NED, HON), 1 p.; 23. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 0 p.; 24. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, YAM), 0 p.; 25. Sandro Peixe (POR, SUZ), 0 p.; 26. Artem Guryev (RUS, HUS), 0 p.; 27. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, YAM), 0 p.; 28. Micha-Boy De Waal (NED, YAM), 0 p.; 29. Jeffrey Dewulf (BEL, KTM), 0 p.; 30. Sven Van der Mierden (NED, YAM), 0 p.; 31. Max Anstie (GBR, KTM), 0 p.; 32. Ander Valentin (ESP, HUS), 0 p.; 

MXGP - World Championship Classification

1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 285 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 251 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 197 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 175 p.; 5. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 166 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 153 p.; 7. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 137 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 136 p.; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 122 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 120 p.