Tim Gajser interview

Gariboldi Honda rider Tim Gajser has really shown what a talent he is. Two world titles in two years, joining a Long list of riders who have been able to do that. When Gajser crossed the finished line for the opening moto of the USGP, he dropped to his knees and celebrated.

“It felt amazing. It’s unbelievable to have won this title – I still cannot really take it all in. Last week in Assen we had a horrible weekend and two horrible races, and I was getting down. I had to regroup in these last few days and keep really believing in myself.”

While he couldn’t win the Grand Prix in Charlotte, he did enough to score the big prize. Pressure in the opening moto in Charlotte didn’t make it easy for him.

“The first race I didn’t have the best start and then I was riding behind Jeremy all the race, so I didn’t find the rhythm. I was really fighting with the bike and didn’t enjoy it at all, but at the end it was just amazing. When I came over here everybody was just waiting for me, so yeah, amazing feeling you know. Yeah, after the first one I went to the truck and I said to myself ‘it’s done’, so I don’t have any pressure. I got a good start and also the first couple of laps riding was good. I was feeling good. I made a small mistake, but then came back inn good rhythm, so I stayed in second for overall second. That was good.

The 19-year-old can look back and know he gave it his all, and there isn’t too much not to like about his 2016 season. A bunch of GP wins and podiums, and that second championship.

“We have had an amazing season, and I was saying to myself ‘we cannot finish the season like this.’ We had to finish it like we have been for most of the season – get back on track, and to win the title here and stand back on the podium again here in Charlotte is just perfect. I want to thank so much Honda, HRC, the team, my family, my Dad – we’ve been working so hard for this for all our lives, and now for the second year in a row we’ve achieved the best possible result – the highest possible win – the World Championship crown.”

Gajser has also injected a new interest in the sport of motocross in his country, and without question he has the loudest fans in the sport at the moment.

“All the fans have been incredible this year – already last year was amazing because we had so much support, but this year it’s been even bigger. We make something with the popularity of this sport in Slovenia, and I’m very proud to be that person who is helping the sport to grow. It’s an honor and a pleasure.”

But the season isn’t over. Gajser has this weekend’s second Monster Energy USGP, and then the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations in Italy, and the EMX Riders Cup in Germany. Not to mention a trip back to America for the Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas. He might also be asked to travel to Japan to end his season at the home of HRC. A busy season for a rider who has so many more busy seasons to come.