Slovenia’s Tim Gasjer has the best chance of winning the 2015 MX2 title tomorrow at Glen Helen. Photography courtesy MXGP
Having just walked the hilly Glen Helen Raceway track on a hot Friday afternoon, Tim Gasjer escapes the Southern California sun under the red-and-white awning of Team Honda HRC’s hospitality semi (the U.S. MX operation is supporting Europe-based Team HRC for this weekend’s U.S. GP—the series finale). Just 19, the likeable rider sits on the verge of history; with an 18-point lead in the MX2 class, he has a very real chance of winning what would be not only his first world crown, but also the first by a Slovenian rider in the top classes (compatriot Klemen Gercar took the final MX3 title in 2013) and Honda’s first-ever in MX2 (the manufacturer’s last middleweight crown was earned in the 250cc class by Frenchman Frédéric Bolley, in 1999). Nonetheless, Gasjer appears calm and relaxed as he chats with a guest, less than 24 hours before he’ll take to those same hills aboard his factory Honda CRF250R.
Most American fans aren’t familiar with many of the GP riders, but your name is starting to be recognized over here. Can you tell us a little about your background?
I come from Slovenia, which is a small country in Europe. I was quite successful as an amateur—65cc European Champion, then 85cc European Champion, and then 125cc European Champion and also 125cc Junior World Champion. In 2013 I was riding the European series but I had many problems with the bike, and then I switched to MX2. It was like my learning year, as I just did about six GPs. Last year was my first full season in MX2 and this is my second one—it’s going really good!
You’re just coming from the Mexican GP last weekend. How was that?
It was pretty muddy down there—it was raining a lot, but just in the first race, actually. For the second one they mopped up the track and it was pretty good.
Have you been to the U.S. before?
No, this is the first time, but I like it a lot. It’s a little warm, but we’re used to it, as it’s the same in Europe. When we have GPs over there, it’s also like this—35+º [95+º F]. It’s just a short stay because we fly early in the afternoon on Monday. We fly to Italy because we have testing on Wednesday, as I’ll ride a CRF450R [at the Motocross of Nations, which takes place next weekend]. Then we’ll go directly to France. It’s busy, but it’s good.
Do you have much experience on a 450?
Yeah, a lot. Almost every practice session I do with the 450—the 250 is just for GPs. I also ride a 450 in the Slovenian championship and also the German championship. Many GP riders also ride in those.
Could we see Europe’s hottest MX2 rider in Supercross next year?
How did you hook up with Honda?
Like I said, in 2013 I had many problems with another bike, breaking engines almost every race, so I was frustrated. I also wasn’t happy and my family wasn’t happy; the mental side was a big bummer, as it’s not good if you’re not finishing the races. Honda called my family and was speaking, and we found a solution. We started like that, and I’m very happy. We’re like a big family, and I have a good relationship with everybody. Last year the bike wasn’t the best, but they worked really hard during the winter and we improved a lot. And they’re still working really hard; every month they bring something new from Japan, and it pays off.
You have a good chance to wrap up the title this weekend.
Yeah, it’s amazing—just my second full season in MX2 and we’re already fighting and in good position for the title! I’m really looking forward to the weekend; the track is good, so we’ll see. I’m just trying not to think about it. Okay, that’s not easy, and I have it in the back of my mind, always, but I’ll just try to go out there and have fun like in the other races. It’ll be good.
Is there any chance of you racing in the U.S. in the future?
We have plans, yeah, but we’ll discuss that after the Motocross of Nations. Maybe I’ll do some Supercross. I really like Supercross, so we’ll speak about it and we’ll see. We’re focused on the last round here this weekend, and then next week in France. Then we’ll discuss about next year, but I’m with Honda for sure. I signed a five-year contract, so it’s good.
