August 19, 2019 - Honda Racing (HRC) rider Tim Gajser (Team HRC) has won the 2019 FIM* Motocross World Championship in the premier MXGP (450cc) class.

On August 18, Gajser took his Honda CRF450RW factory bike to 5th in Race 1 of Round 15 in Italy, securing his championship victory.  In Race 2, his consistently fastpace gave him second spot on the podium. Despite three rounds remaining, he had accumulated enough of a gap with his closest rival, giving him the championship.

The Slovenian rider became world champion in the MX2 (250cc) class in 2015, and the following year won the premier MXGP class in his rookie year. For Tim Gajser, 2019 marks his second MXGP title.

* FIM: Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme

“It is just an amazing feeling to have won this third world championship. To fight back after two really tough years and to even overcome a difficult round earlier in the year, it is just really, really great to have become champion. A big thanks to all of Team HRC, both here at the races and back in Japan who have supported me throughout this period, during the good and the bad. It is a real family I have under this awning and I am truly thankful to be riding with them for so long. We have all worked extremely hard this year to improve myself and the Honda CRF450RW but it has worked amazingly well. We have had great starts, zero issues, and I just feel really comfortable each time I get on the track, whatever the conditions. I am struggling to say much more but it really has been an incredible experience and I’m so glad that a lot of fans from Slovenia could come out and witness this moment too. My previous wins have been in the USA, but now to have so much support here at Imola, and just throughout this year is something I am really appreciative of. Thank you to everyone who has been with me on this journey, fans team members, everyone, it means so much to me.”

“I am grateful to Tim [Gajser], the team, and all of our sponsors and motocross fans who support our racing activities. 2017 and 2018 were tough years for Tim and the team. They’ve overcome that, and won back the championship convincingly. Bringing out the best performance from the CRF450RW factory bike has been an inspiration and joy for our development team. Honda Racing will continue to aim to share the joy of racing with all motorsports fans.”