No Gajser, no Renaux - the MXGP of Portugal could change the outcome of the 2025 series
By Team TMX on 2nd May 25
Injuries for MXGP FIM Motocross World Championship series leader Tim Gajser (Team HRC) and Monster Energy Yamaha’s Maxime Renaux mean that this weekend’s MXGP of Portugal at Agueda could have a massive impact on the outcome of the championship.
After the first six rounds, Gajser had eked out a 27-point advantage despite scoring zero points when he dislocated his shoulder in the second moto at Frauenfeld. Too score to contemplate taking the pounding that Agueda offers, Gajser has opted to stay home in the hopes of being ready for the MXGP of Spain in Lugo the following weekend.
Renaux, meanwhile, has had a tough time since winning the opening Grand Prix of the year in Argentina. A broken hand and several more crashes – including a second moto slam in Switzerland that will see him sit out the Portuguese and Spanish rounds – have helped him slip back to fifth in the series standings – a massive 117 points behind Gajser.
Potentially the biggest benefactors of this news are Kawasaki Racing Team’s Romain Febvre, currently second in the championship chase, and third-placed Lucas Coenen (Red Bull KTM) who was a double winner last time out. It’s difficult to imagine that Febvre won’t wear the red plate after this weekend’s action but more importantly, a good weekend for Coenen could see the battle turn into a three-way scrap.
Glenn Coldenhoff (Fantic Factory Racing) is right with Coenen in points and could also make his presence felt in the championship battle. The Dutchman loves this sort of going and is having a fantastic season so far.
Jeffrey Herlings (Red Bull KTM) is gaining momentum week by week – could this be the GP where he returns to full form? It will definitely be interesting to see how Gajser’s absence changes the dynamic and who will take full advantage of him being out of action.
