Gajser Displays Class

Gajser Gracious in Defeat

by: Kellen Brauer

The 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP) season for the two riders who just missed out on the championship is going to be viewed with many “what ifs.” For Romain Febvre, what if he had won a few more races when he had the chance? And for Tim Gajser, what if he didn't break his collarbone halfway through the championship? As much adversity as eventual champion Jeffrey Herlings had to overcome, there were similar sentiments for both riders who fell short.

In Gajser’s case, 2021 will appear like an unsuccessful defense of his 2019 and 2020 world titles. The three-time MXGP champion (2016, 2019, and 2020) had enjoyed a remarkable run of good health and immense speed en route to back-to-back championships along the way. He sat within one point of the championship with two rounds to go, but a costly five-position penalty after cutting through the second turn at Sunday’s MXGP of Lombardia likely ended his title hopes. Still, he had a very strong season despite riding injured much of the second half and leaves 2021 behind with a new fire to get back to the top. After his second-place overall finish at Wednesday’s finale, we caught up with the Honda HRC man to get his thoughts on it all.

Racer X: So, second overall today, third in the world championship. I’m sure it’s frustrating to know you’re not going home with a world title, but you were so close in the end, and it was a great season overall. Just kind of sum up your entire season for us.
Gajser: Yeah, it was a crazy season you know. We have some nice battles also. You know, the pressure for the last couple of GPs was high. From last Sunday after I lose a couple of points from the penalty that I got, it was kind of like I was back on the ground. I knew that it was still possible, but we all know that 15 points in just one Grand Prix is difficult if everything’s normal. But anyway, overall, with the season we had a lot of ups and downs. I think the speed in the beginning of the season was good. Then, with the injury, with the broken collarbone, I was kind of like struggling for a couple of GPs. Like from that injury until the end, I didn’t really feel like myself. Even I was getting arm pump in the first motos and then for the second motos I was feeling a bit better. I could relax a little bit. But yeah, I learned a lot from this year and it’s definitely difficult to accept but that’s how it is. That’s motocross. Next year, we’re going to have another chance.

Just talking about today, you were I think seventh or eighth in qualifying, and I know you had crashed on that one lap. But what changes on the bike, or maybe some things that you did yourself, helped you turn it around for the motos?
Yeah, I’d say that this season I was struggling to make one lap in the qualification. I was always around sixth or fifth. I was second a couple of times. I even have one pole if I remember correctly. But yeah, didn’t ever do a great lap to put all the sectors together. But then in the race I know that I have speed. We made some changes that were positive for the races, so I felt really good. Riding was good so I was definitely happy to finish with good riding and a good feeling so that we go with the confidence into the offseason. It’s not going to be that long, you know. We’re going to start normally next season at the end of February, so we just have three months. So, a little short offseason, a little bit of holidays, and then we are back.

You would have ended the season in Argentina [in December], so it would have been an even another month of racing and a shorter offseason. How difficult is it when you’re in a title fight like this to have the season change midway through and to go to different tracks and different places with a tight schedule while battling for a title?
Last two seasons were difficult because usually we were starting the season in the beginning of March and ending the season like in September, but now we have like a full 12 month season with the preparation. Because usually you start at the end of November with the training and the preparation for a new season, and now we are almost into the middle of November. So basically, the season was a full year. But it was also difficult with the COVID[-19] and everything for the past two years. Hopefully life is going to go back to normal. It’s slowly starting to go and hopefully next season we’re going to have a normal season with a full weekend of Saturday and Sunday, end then ending the season also a bit earlier in the end of September.

#222 One of the Best Ever!

5 REASONS WHY TONY CAIROLI IS ONE OF THE BEST OF ALL TIME

Posted in People, Racing

Enviable statistics mark Tony Cairoli as the second-best rider in the 64-year history of the FIM Motocross World Championship but the Sicilian not only holds an unforgettable place in the annals of the sport but in KTM’s racing story…

Tony Cairoli is a motocross legend. He will retire from Grand Prix competition at the end of 2021

To read the complete story on Cairoli's incredidable story go to this site https://blog.ktm.com/5-reasons-why-tony-cairoli-is-one-of-the-best-of-all-time/

Tony Cairoli Ends A Stellar Career!

Success ‘still hard to believe’ as Cairoli’s career draws to close

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Nine-time world champion reflects on final GP outing.

Crossing the line in moto two at Mantova Tony Cairoli’s outstanding MXGP career drew to a close, the nine-time world champion stating his success is ‘still hard to believe’.

Cairoli, 36, spent the last 12 years of his career KTM mounted, taking the premier class crown on six occasions for the Austrian manufacturer.

The Italian prior had a six-year stint on Yamaha machinery, winning his maiden premier class title in 2009 after claiming the MX2 title twice – 2005 and 2007.

With the 169 world championship race victories to his name, the GP legend experienced a difficult final outing in Mantova, a crash and subsequent broken gear shifter in moto one resulted in a DNF, followed by P10 in moto two which saw him land 15th overall for the round.

Cairoli remained competitive right until the end of his career, keeping in the 2021 title fight until the halfway point of the series and winning most recently the MXGP of Pietramurata and the 2021 MXoN with Team Italy.

“It’s amazing how my career has been,” Cairoli explained. “It’s still hard to believe I was nine times world champion.

“After so many years I still love to ride and I get so disappointed when I cannot make it, like today and the bad luck out there, I couldn’t make the podium today like I wanted but, overall, it’s been a good season. I was in the fight for the title up until halfway through the year and I think it was one of the nicest championships ever. I was sad I could not join the battle. Congratulations to all of them for making an amazing series.

“Thanks to all the people who have been involved in my ‘trip’ and all the fans.”

Pierer Mobility moves GASGAS to new production plant in Spain

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Pierer Mobility Group, owners of GASGAS, KTM and Husqvarna brands, has built a new “production, R&D, purchasing, customer service and sports activities” facility in Spain – it’s first 100% subsidiary outside of Austria and a split from the former GASGAS factory in Salt.

Following the integration of GASGAS alongside the KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycles and eBikes under the Pierer Mobility Group, the company's board of directors has decided to build a new, state-of-the-art production plant in Terrassa, Catalonia.

Spain, and Catalonia in particular, have a strong tradition in motorcycle manufacturing and off-road sport in particular. The region has an extensive professional manufacturing network which makes it the ideal location for this first 100% subsidiary European manufacturing plant of the Pierer Mobility group located outside Austria.

Split from former GASGAS factory (and Torrot) in Salt

The new plant will house the brand's production, R&D, purchasing, customer service and sports activities and, in part at least, replaces the previous factory location for the trials bike range from the old Salt factory.

The Generalitat de Catalunya has been an active part in the entire process, ensuring its financial and institutional support, as part of its reindustrialization plan for Catalonia.

Pierer Mobility say it show their commitment to Catalonia and Spain and that new jobs are being created and strengthening the network in the region.

The first products to be manufactured at the new plant will be the full range of GASGAS trial motorcycles, with a production capacity of up to 5,000 units per year, with production scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2022.

WC Working on New Products!

MXA industry ride day at Glen Helen and the Works Connection boys are there gathering ideas for new products or maybe just having fun riding.

Herlings Takes Title

Herlings delivers under pressure to win his fifth world title!

 

This was real life squid game! And it was “The Bullet” who, despite taking multiple shots to his body all year, who came back to life to win the 2021 MXGP world championship. Jeffrey Herlings is, unequivocally, the best rider in the world.

First it was the unfortunate Tony Cairoli and then Prado out of the title fight with mistakes, then it was Gajser at the penultimate round and finally Febvre with a last moto loop-out who dropped out chasing Herlings with the title on the line. The bullet delivered the final bullet as he brought that speed that no-one else could match when it really mattered overcoming being landed on twice, a broke shoulder blade, three zero point scores and two motos during the seaosn where his own crashes left him fighting back through the field to save his title dreams – it was all worth it.

The fastest man on the planet delivered under the most intense of pressure when it matters most. The critics are silenced and Jeffrey Herlings reigns supreme in 2021 to win the most prestigious dirt bike championship on earth.

But credit must go to all the title contenders they all played their part and rode through the pain, showing incredible bravery and immeasurable talent and speed. Romain Febvre, Tim Gajser, Jorge Prado and the amazing Tony Cairoli at 36 years old should all be very, very proud of their seasons, they rode absolutely fantastic and gave the world a title battle they will never forget. This might just have been the best championship ever in motorcycle history.

Herlings said: “If people still say I’m not a true world championship I don’t know when I will b, man! I missed four motos, I did get two points for free but I won by five. I want to thank Romain and Tim Gajser for the great season, those guys werew super fast, it’s jsut a pity only one can win. I’m going to celebrate tonight.

A devastated Romain Febvre said: “I feel mad to myself but that’s racing. It’s a hard way to lose but it’s liek this. I ghave it my all at the moment it’s really tough. I with go through it and battle next year.

While a disappointed Gajser said: “Definitely I’m disappointed. We work to be first but in the end just one can win. We had bad luck on Sunday with the penalty but that’s sport i will try to regroup as soon as possible. I am already really looking for next year. I will work hard in the off-season and try to attack for the title next year.

RMATVMC names Anstie in three-rider expansion

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 Post: Alex Gobert

KTM-backed program to field Anstie, McElrath and returning Savatgy.

An expanded Team Rocky Mountain ATV/MC roster will see three riders aboard KTM machinery in 2022, with Max Anstie formally announced alongside Shane McElrath and the returning Joey Savatgy.

It became evident during the final portion of the outdoors that Anstie was heading to the Florida-based effort after departing HEP Motorsports Suzuki.

Anstie’s return to the 450 SX-F sets up a familiar platform for him to continue his rise in Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross following a strong MXGP career with the KTM Group.

“I did everything that I could to make this deal happen,” Anstie said. “Coming over from Europe, the last couple of years it’s been fine, but I didn’t come here to make up the numbers – I came here to race and perform.

“I feel like these guys with the set-up moving forward for next year is going to be great. Just being able to be around the best guys and on the championship-winning bike from last year in Supercross, for me, I just want to elevate myself and do whatever I could to put myself in a position to do that. I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

McElrath was confirmed to be joining Team RMATVMC in August for what will be his second term in 450SX, also returning to the outdoors, while Savatgy too has re-signed with the team. Justin Bogle has effectively switched with Anstie, joining Twisted Tea Suzuki.

MXGP...All On The Line Tomorrow!

Montova Italy

It all comes down to Wednesday! With just two motos remaining in the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP), three riders enter Wednesday’s MXGP of Citta di Mantova with a shot at walking away as champion. But this title fight looks a little differently than it was just two days ago when all three riders sat within three points of each other. Following Tim Gajser’s penalty for gaining an advantage off the track in MXGP race one of Sunday’s MXGP of Lombardia, the Slovenian now sits 15 points adrift of championship leader Romain Febvre.

Febvre was able to capture the first moto victory on Sunday and followed it up with a second-place finish in moto two. Yet that still wasn’t enough for Febvre to capture the overall win as Jeffrey Herlings came from 15th to second in the moto one and won the second moto to capture the Grand Prix victory. What the two-moto split left Febvre and Herlings at status quo with still a three-point advantage to Febvre entering the finale tomorrow.

With Febvre and Herlings both eyeing their second MXGP title as Gajser tries to pull his fourth out of a hat, there is a lot of tension and drama to focus on. After racing concluded on Sunday, each rider spoke about their days and how they view the championship picture with two gate drops remaining.

Herlings Crash at Lombardia

Insight: HRC on Penalty

Lewis PhillipsNovember 7, 20210

The title fight in the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship reached a turning point earlier today. Tim Gajser, the rider who has captured the last two titles in the premier division, got handed a five-place penalty at the end of the first moto. Gajser got bumped off of the track exiting turn one and entered the track after the exit to turn two. Although he slowed down, the FIM deemed that he did indeed gain an advantage (the penalty was for four spots that he gained plus an additional position). The official word on the penalty is below.

“Loss of 5 positions penalty for accidentally leaving the track and gaining an advantage.”

It was a significant blow for Gajser, who went from third in the moto to eighth (a difference of seven points). A third was then secured in the second stint as well. 15 points is the difference between him and the championship leader, Romain Febvre, with one round remaining. Gajser is 12 points down on Herlings in the runner-up spot. It is not impossible for him to leapfrog both riders and gain his third title in succession, but he’s going to need some help.

“I am very disappointed with how today turned out,” Gajser said in a statement from Team HRC. “In race one, I got hit by another rider and that caused me to go out of the track and, because of the way the track is designed, the safest place to get back on is where I went. I believed I was just outside the top five when I went out, and tried to re-join in the similar position, so as not to gain an advantage, but when I finished the race in third I was told that I had a five-position penalty. It is not nice to have to try and come back from that when the championship points are so tight.”