Team HRC looking for more success in 2021
By Team TMX on 21st Apr 21
Four-time world champion Tim Gajser will be aiming to make it five titles in the last seven years when the 2021 MXGP season kicks off in June this year.
The Team HRC rider has won the last two MXGP championships in a row and hes 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.
Alongside Tim is Australian rider Mitch Evans, who made the step-up to MXGP in 2020 and proved he belongs there after a number of good performances in his rookie campaign.
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, Tim especially was able to qualify with first gate pick eight times in 2020.
Following the successful launch of the new Honda CRF450RW last year, this season is all about improving and tweaking things for what is scheduled to be a tough year of racing.
After the weekend off after Russia, there is a scheduled six races in six weekends on a multitude of terrains so Tim, Mitch and the bike have to be fully prepared to tackle whatever obstacles they face. Fortunately, Team HRC are well prepared after a stop-start 2020 season, proving they could come out on top and so 2021 should hold no fear in what they hope could be another record-breaking campaign.
Buoyed from a recent win at Maggiora in the Italian national championship, he is eager for MXGP to get underway. I cant wait until we can go racing again and start the 2021 season, Gajser said.
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. Ive had a good off-season, managed to recharge my batteries and Im raring to go.
After the big change with the new Honda CRF450RW last year, this year we have refined a few things and Im 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 dont 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.
Mitch has suffered from injury woes but the extended winter break may have played into his hands. The Japanese factory outfit has shown faith in the Aussie and he is looking to step it up in 2021.
After re-signing with Team HRC last year, I am really hoping I can showcase my abilities in 2021. Ive had a difficult recovery from the wrist injury but I know what I can achieve and I think I showed glimpses of that in 2020, so now I am just trying to get myself into a position where I can do it consistently in the MXGP class in 2021.
Of course, it wont be easy as the class is filled with great riders, but I know what I am capable of and I know what it takes to achieve a title as Im alongside the current world champ under the Team HRC awning. Russia is a couple of months away and Ill be utilising that time as effectively as possible to come out swinging in round one.
More like this…
Jorge Prado: Q&A on 2021 MXGP
Still only 20 years of age Jorge Prado has already tasted victory with the KTM 250 SX-F in MX2 – where he dominated the class to 2018 and 2019 world championships – and the KTM 450 SX-F in what was a typically fast and impactful debut term in MXGP in 2020.
MXGP partners with MYLAPS
Infront Moto Racing has announced a five-year partnership with MYLAPS Sports Timing to bring advanced timing and race control solutions to the FIM Motocross World Championship.
Taylor Hammal signs 2021 deal with Bike It MTX Kawasaki
Taylor Hammal has joined the British-based squad Dixon Racing Team who will compete in 2021 as Bike It MTX Kawasaki.