Gajser would not be given an easy task on the weekend from the track, as the race surface built inside the classic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari speedway was extremely hard and bumpy. Regardless, he got things off to a good start on Saturday, with the fastest time in both Free & Qualifying Practice. The sun was beating down in Imola by the time the riders lined up for the Qualifying Race, and Gajser got off to a solid start through the right handed first corner. He took the green flag in 2nd position behind Romain Febvre and stalked the Frenchman for the opening laps waiting to make his move. After eating roost over the first half of the moto, Gajser finally made the pass for the lead just before the finish line on Lap 8. He settled into the lead after that and took a convincing win for first pick on the gate for Sunday's motos.

Tim headed to the line on Sunday knowing he could wrap the title after Moto 1 with only an 8th place finish if Jeremy Seewer took the win. After not getting the cleanest start, he fought his way through the pack on the opening lap and held 4th place at the green flag with Seewer just behind him in 5th. In classic Gajser fashion, he dropped the hammer and charged to the front with his focus fully on taking the moto win. He made quick work of Paul Jonass and Gautier Paulin and had moved into 2nd only 2 laps later. Race leader Glenn Coldenhoff was in his sights and he continued to charge before making a big mistake and going down on the following lap. The crash knocked him back to 8th but he got going again with full focus on the title. In a much more controlled manner he moved up as far as 5th, which was plenty enough to take the championship with Seewer in second.

It was a hero's welcome for Gajser as he came off the track, with the entire HRC crew making their way onto the circuit to greet him. Champagne sprayed and red smoke filled the air as Tim and his team celebrated the ultimate achievement in the MXGP world. Gajser was overcome with emotion as he soaked in the moment and relished in the third World Championship of his young career.

With all the pressure off after clinching the championship, there was still work to be done and Tim headed to the line for MXGP Moto 2. Another mediocre start had him sitting 4th at the green flag, and he let the race come to him this time as he cruised to 2nd place. He went 5-2 for 3rd Overall on the day, but the only moment he'll remember from the day is raising the #1 plate on the podium.

Gajser's second career premier class title comes with three rounds of the championship remaining. His domination during the middle part of the season that included a streak of 7 overall victories put him in the perfect position to wrap the title up early. The series rolls on next week at Uddevalla in Sweden. #BravoTim

The Panorama Mountain resort hosted the annual Canadian National Downhill Championships last weekend where the best gravity racers in the country dropped in to race for the coveted championship sleeve.  The Panorama Bike park is located three hours southwest of Calgary, Alberta and is surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the Purcell Mountains.

Following in the footsteps of Canadian Downhill legends, former Junior World Cup champion, Finn Iles was hoping to earn his first Elite Canadian National Championship.  Previous Fox Racing athletes who have earned the prestigious Maple Leaf sleeve were Stevie Smith (2013, 2014) and Magnus Manson (2018).

Starting the weekend with the fastest qualifying time of the day, Finn Iles was on pace to secure his first Canadian Championship on Sunday.  Having a hot and cold World Cup season thus far, Iles is becoming more comfortable with the pressures of the Elite circuit at every race and would apply those skills at Panorama.  Narrowly edging out the field for the top spot, Iles will now down the Canadian Champion sleeve at the remainder of the World Cup circuit as well as represent Canada at the UCI World DH Championships at Mont-Sainte-Anne later this summer.

Elite Men:

1^st – Finn Iles (2:57.12)

2^nd – Kirk McDowall (2.57.85)

3^rd – Magnus Manson (2:57.95)

Junior Development rider Seth Sherlock of Squamish, BC arrived to Panorama fresh off his best Junior World Cup podium finish and carried that momentum into his first Canadian Junior Men Championship and will now represent the Canadian sleeve at the UCI Junior World Cup DH Championship at Mont-Sainte-Anne.

Junior Men:

1^st – Seth Sherlock (3:01.25)

2^nd – Ellior Jamieson (3:03.13)

3^rd – Milton McConville (3:04.69)