Honda make firm Gajser bet with longest contract

HRC have made a substantial investment in MX2 FIM Motocross World Championship leader-elect Tim Gajser by sealing a five year contract extension with the 18-year-old that will keep the Slovenian in red up until the 2020 racing season. The deal is the longest type that the Japanese will ratify.

The association was confirmed at Lommel for the Grand Prix of Belgium this weekend and is Honda’s firmest sign of intention yet towards MX2 success and since the inception of the category in 2004 as the manufacturer chase their first motocross title in 15 years.

Gajser runs out of the Italian Gariboldi factory structure – HRC’s principal MX2 wing – and still has another five years of eligibility on the CRF250RW in his current division but the deal is understood to involve options for #243 to race in the USA (where he has ambitions of supercross) and also a path direct to the factory MXGP squad that currently field Gautier Paulin and Evgeny Bobryshev.

“It’s just amazing and I’m thankful to everyone at Honda, HRC and the Gariboldi team for this deal,” says Tim Gajser. “Three years ago when I came here it was unbelievable to think of riding for Honda, and now I can say it’s a pleasure that I can ride with them and together we are getting the results. We work really hard together and I think we’ve improved a lot from last year, which was only our first in MX2.

“I’m really happy, and so is my family, and I think everybody in the team too. We are like one big family, working together really well and it’s paying off – the results are coming and everything is going so well. It’s a great feeling to be able to just go out there and have fun without having to think about where I will be the next season, and to stay with Honda is like a dream.”

HRC General Manager – MXGP, Roger Harvey commented: “Clearly we’re delighted to extend the mutual commitment between HRC and Tim and keep him on the Honda CRF for at least another five seasons. Given his performances this season, it’s no surprise that he was in high demand, and it shows how well the relationship between him, the team and HRC is working that he has committed for the next five years.

“It’s easy to forget that his first MX2 race win came only three months ago. Well before then he was clearly an outstanding talent, but it’s been great to see the way he’s developed with the Honda Gariboldi team and with the support of HRC to now be at the front of the World Championship, and at only 18 years old. We are in no doubt that with Tim Honda will win titles. The only question is how many.”