Tim Gajser is fourth overall in the MXGP class after eight races. Photo: Yamaha
Gajser optimistic after the break
At the weekend, the best motocross riders in the world will compete in the World Championship race in Italy. The venue will be the Italian Montevarchi, where the ninth race of the season will be held. Tim Gajser and Jan Pancar will also compete in the MXGP class, while Jaka Peklaj will chase the first MX2 points this year in the MX2 class.
June 18, 2026, 5:30 p.m
Team Gajser is fourth overall after the previous race in Latvia and is close to the top three. Jan Pancar will come to the Italian Grand Prix with confidence after very good drives in Kegums, where he achieved the result of the season, especially in Sunday’s second place with seventh place and overall eighth place in the race. At that time, Gajser remained without a podium in fourth place.
“The weekend off came in handy. We had some testing, I went to Croatia for a few days. It was nice to have a break after three races in a row, but I still did some tough training. It also helped with my recovery, I feel much better now,” he told his Yamaha team website Team Gajser.
The track in Montevarchi will be new for practically all participants of the SP, as it last hosted the race at the highest level in 2006. Nevertheless, Gajser is familiar with it. “I’m sure I’ll be able to race without pain, so I’m very positive. I’ve already ridden in a few races of the Italian championship in Montevarchi, I’ve also been there in a few races when I was still a kid. They’ve made some changes, which is good. It’s a pretty small track for the SP, I hope they’ll prepare it well. I just want to enjoy the bike, if I can do it, I can be very fast and in the front,” added Gajser.
The last race was won by the Belgian Lucas Coenen, who with a perfect end of the week also significantly increased his lead over his pursuers in the overall standings. He is 62 points ahead of the Dutchman Jeffrey Herlings, who retired in the second run in Latvia (404-342), while world champion Frenchman Romain Febvre is third with 310 points. Gajser is in fourth place with 294, Pancar has advanced to 15th place and has 83 points.
The first race of the Italian Grand Prix in Montevarchi will be held in the MXGP class on Sunday at 14:15, while the second will start at 17:10. Races in the MX2 class will be at 1:15 p.m. and 4:10 p.m.
