Tim Gajser celebrated his first podium finish with the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team at the MXGP of Andalucia, putting together a determined performance to secure third overall in Spain.
The Slovenian continued to build momentum throughout the weekend at the demanding Almonte circuit, adapting to the deep sand and evolving track conditions as the Grand Prix unfolded.
After taking eighth in Saturday’s qualifying race, Gajser entered Sunday focused on making progress. In the opening moto, he found himself battling just outside the top five, running behind Maxime Renaux as both riders searched for ways through on a circuit that had become dry, rough and largely single-lined. Despite pushing throughout, Gajser was limited in his opportunities to advance and crossed the line in sixth.
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Conditions shifted ahead of race two following work on the track surface, and combined with adjustments to his Yamaha YZ450FM, Gajser was able to take a clear step forward. Starting from eighth on the opening lap, he began carving his way through the field with confidence, climbing into third by the middle stages of the race.
Although the leaders had already stretched a gap, Gajser maintained his pace to secure third at the flag—enough to clinch third overall for the day and his first podium since joining Yamaha.
The result marks an encouraging step in his adaptation to the new machinery, with the 29-year-old now sitting sixth in the MXGP standings after two rounds.
Reflecting on the weekend, Gajser said:
“It was another weekend of fighting for us, but the work we put in really paid off and the result was even better than last time. Overnight we made some changes and kept working from the first session through to the races. I feel like we’re moving in the right direction. There’s still room to improve, but the progress is clear. I want to say a big thank you to the whole team, because in the challenging moments it’s important to stay united, and that’s exactly what we did. To be back on the podium after two rounds is a great feeling, and hopefully we can keep building from here.”
With a podium now secured early in the season, Gajser and the Yamaha squad will look to carry that upward trend into the coming rounds as they continue to close the gap to the front.
Images courtesy of Yamaha – Full Spectrum Media
