Honda HRC’s Tim Gajser finished third in the qualification race at the new Cordoba circuit, while teammate Ruben Fernandez faced difficulties due to a crash. Valerio Lata and Ferruccio Zanchi also experienced falls, affecting their performances. General Manager Marcus Pereira de Freitas noted the challenges and expressed hope for better outcomes in the upcoming GP races.
Tim Gajser of Honda HRC began the 2025 MXGP World Championships with an impressive third place in the qualification race at the new Cordoba circuit in Argentina. He had an excellent start, recording the fastest time in free practice and finishing second in the timed session. Although he fell to third during the qualification race after making a couple of errors, he managed to maintain a solid pace to finish comfortably in that position.
Ruben Fernandez, also riding a CRF450R, faced challenges when he crashed after securing fifth place, which limited his scoring potential, leading to just one point. Despite this setback, he performed well in the timed practice, finishing fourth, and is eager to demonstrate his true speed in the main GP races.
Ferruccio Zanchi and Valerio Lata encountered difficulties during their qualifying runs despite initially showing promise in timed practice. Lata crashed in the second turn, recovering to finish in 16th, while Zanchi’s race ended early due to a fall while he was maneuvering into the top 10. Both are focused on improving their performance in the upcoming races.
Gajser reflected on his performance, expressing confidence in adapting for better results in the next races. He stated, “I had a big gap to fourth so I didn’t want to push too much on the very first day… Hopefully, tomorrow we’ll try a few things and battle for the win.”
Fernandez lamented his first-lap crash, saying, “It was annoying to have that tip-over… but I still feel like I can do well tomorrow.”
Lata expressed disappointment over his initial crash but is determined to perform better in future races, noting, “I’m very disappointed to have made that mistake… I want to start off strongly.”
Zanchi mentioned the challenges he faced and his motivation to return stronger, stating, “I had some bumps and bruises… I will be ready for tomorrow.”
HRC’s General Manager Marcus Pereira de Freitas acknowledged the crew’s struggles, emphasizing the learning aspect of their early season experiences but remains hopeful, stating, “Hopefully, the weather stays good… I fully expect all of our riders to rise to the occasion.”
The opening of the 2025 MXGP season in Argentina presented challenges for all four Honda HRC riders, showcasing a mix of solid performances and unfortunate mishaps. Tim Gajser secured a respectable third place while Fernandez, Lata, and Zanchi faced difficulties that hindered their results. Nonetheless, the team is optimistic about improving their standings in the upcoming races, emphasizing the learning experience and potential for future success on the demanding Cordoba circuit.
Original Source: gatedrop.com
