A new motorcycle, a new team and a completely different environment after years with Honda. For Tim Gajser, 2026 was primarily a season of adaptation to Yamaha, marked by inconsistent results and injuries, but one that still ended with third place in the MXGP World Championship.

The Slovenian rider makes no secret of the difficulties: "We treated this season as a preparation year, a chance to learn about the new bike, the team and the people we're working with." But just as his performances were improving, a crash at Arnhem left him with five broken ribs. Gajser managed to race in Turkey before withdrawing from the final two Grands Prix.

Speaking to Moto.it, the five-time World Champion also acknowledges Jeffrey Herlings' outstanding season, which saw the Dutch rider claim the title in his first year with Honda. But Gajser is already looking ahead to 2027: Yamaha is working hard on developing the motorcycle, and he can finally complete a full winter training program.

Finding the right balance between speed and risk will be crucial. "If you don't take risks, you don't improve. But you also need to know when it's better to settle for second or third place."

The goal is to fight for the World Championship again. With a full season of Yamaha experience behind him and a motorcycle increasingly tailored to his needs, Gajser is determined to rediscover the consistency that was missing in 2026.