Four-time MXGP champion Tim Gajser will be aiming to make it five titles in the last seven years in 2021 but admits improving on the last two seasons will be tough.
The Team HRC rider has won the last two MXGP championships in a row and heās confident that the Honda CRF450RW is once again the machine to propel him to glory, after signing a multi-year extension at the end of last year.
Currently the season is scheduled to begin at the hilly Orlyonok track in Russia on June 12-13, giving the riders just under two months to get themselves back into race shape after what has been an elongated off-season.
Like last year, there is a one-day format for the MXGP class, with all the action taking place on the Sunday, something which both riders took time to adapt to, however once they got into their rhythm, Gajser especially was able to qualify with first gate pick eight times in 2020.
“I canāt wait until we can go racing again and start the 2021 season. Even though we finished in November last year, we have still had a long break and I feel fit, healthy and ready for the first gate drop,’ said Gajser.
“Iāve had a good off-season, managed to recharge my batteries and Iām raring to go. After the big change with the new Honda CRF450RW last year, this year we have refined a few things and Iām excited to go even better, and show-off the work that everyone has put in behind the scenes.
“It will be hard to improve upon the last couple of seasons when I became world champion, but I always try to get better and turn my weaknesses into strengths. Before Russia, I will gradually step up my training so that I am ready for that race, but I am also aware that it will be a long season and I donāt want to peak too early.
“Really though, I just want to go racing and see all my fans again and thank them in person for all the support I have received. I miss all the signing-sessions and the selfies and I really hope that they will be able to cheer me on, along the fence this season.”
