Slovenian one-two in the MXGP qualifying race in Montevarchi: Gajser wins

Round 9 of the Motocross World Championship in Montevarchi: Due to heavy dust and temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, the schedule was pushed back to allow more time for watering. The schedule for Sunday was also changed: the second race of the EMX250 is now set to start at 8.45 am instead of 11.25 am.

Crashes for de Wolf and Fernandez in qualifying

Dutch Husqvarna works rider Kay de Wolf suffered a spectacular crash in qualifying and ended up in the track barrier. HRC works rider Ruben Fernandez also took a heavy tumble. Both riders started the qualifying race but were forced to retire after just a few laps. Defending champion Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) was the fastest in free practice and started the qualifying race from pole position ahead of HRC factory rider Jeffrey Herlings. However, neither rider got off to a good start.

MXGP Free Practice, Montevarchi:

1. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, 1:45.561

2. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, +0.210

3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, +0.457

4. Maxime Renaux (F), Yamaha, +0.488

5. Jan Pancar (SLO), KTM, +1.263

6. Pauls Jonass (LV), Kawasaki, +1.289

7. Kay de Wolf (NL), Husqvarna, +1.640

8. Andrea Adamo (I), KTM, +1.724

9. Calvin Vlaanderen (NL), Ducati, +1.806

10. Tom Vialle (F), Honda, +1.875

Der Slowene Jan Pancar wurde in Montevarchi Zweiter

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

Historic one-two for Slovenia

The Slovenian KTM privateer Jan Pancar – to whom the term ‘privateer’ applies in the truest sense of the word – took the holeshot and initially led the race ahead of Alberto Forato (Fantic) and Tim Gajser (Yamaha). Gajser quickly overtook Forato and also passed his compatriot Pancar on the second lap. The Slovenian duo then immediately pulled a few seconds clear of the rest of the field. For the first time in motocross history – and much to the delight of the Slovenian fans at the track – there was a Slovenian one-two in Montevarchi! For Tim Gajser, it was also his first qualifying victory for Yamaha. For Jan Pancar, second place in an MXGP race was the best result of his career. Pancar’s best MXGP result to date had been fourth place in the qualifying race at the 2025 German Grand Prix. KTM works rider Andrea Adamo, who finished third, also paid tribute to Pancar for this phenomenal performance.

Der Vater von Jan Pancar kümmert sich allein um die Technik

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

The favourites got stuck in the pack

Apart from Tim Gajser, none of the World Championship favourites got off to a good start. Maxime Renaux, Lucas Coenen, Romain Febvre, Jeffrey Herlings and Tom Vialle were stuck behind Alberto Forato for several laps and were only able to get past the local hero – who was difficult to overtake – in the final two laps. Ducati factory rider Calvin Vlaanderen crashed whilst in 8th place, dropped back to 11th and thus failed to score any points.

Cato Nickel in 15th place

DMSB rider Cato Nickel (Honda) finished 15th without scoring any points, but his result offers hope for the championship-counting races, where the top 20 riders receive World Championship points. Kevin Brumann (Husqvarna) from Switzerland finished in 18th place.

Situation at the top of the standings

As World Championship leader Lucas Coenen eventually finished in 6th place ahead of his closest rival Jeffrey Herlings, the Belgian was able to extend his lead from 62 to 63 points.

MXGP Qualifying Race, Montevarchi

1. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, 25:07.852

2. Jan Pancar (SLO), KTM, +4.855

3. Andrea Adamo (I), KTM, +7.065

4. Maxime Renaux (F), Yamaha, +10.800

5. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, +11.947

6. Lucas Coenen (B), KTM, +14.911

7. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, +17.335

8. Alberto Forato (I), Fantic, +18.302

9. Tom Vialle (F), Honda, +18.623

10. Pauls Jonass (LV), Kawasaki, +23.083

11. Calvin Vlaanderen (NL), Ducati, +26.044

12. Kevin Horgmo (N), Honda, +39.916

13. Jago Geerts (B), Beta, +43.661

14. Oriol Oliver (E), KTM, +45.490

15. Cato Nickel (D), Honda, +56.559

World Championship Standings

1. Lucas Coenen (B), KTM, 409

2. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, 346 (-63)

3. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, 316 (-93)

4. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, 304 (-105)

5. Kay de Wolf (NL), Husqvarna, 273 (-136)

6. Maxime Renaux (F), Yamaha, 268 (-141)