Source: Supplied.

Former world champion Tim Gajser says he’s pleased to end the 2017 MXGP World Championship on a positive note after enduring a difficult and challenging title defence.

The Honda HRC rider completed yesterday’s finale in France tied for the overall, however was awarded second on count back with a race win to his name.

The youthful Slovakian signed off for the year fifth in the standings after a string of injuries and mistakes saw him not only sidelined for two rounds, but also suffer disappointing results that would ultimately deny him of being in the championship hunt.

“The season for me started really well,” Gajser reflected. “I had the red plate for the first four rounds until I crashed in Europe and got injured. From then on, my season went downhill. I was riding in pain and was not the same condition before the crash.

“Then I crashed again and that was pretty much how my season has gone. I am glad to finish the season strong and today I felt really good in the mud. I made too many mistakes this year and when I make a mistake I end up injured.

“The last few races I have been in much better condition and the riding is quite okay. I want to say a huge thanks to everyone around me and my family.”

Gajser is slated to remain with the factory Honda outfit for 2018, while he’ll now focus representing his country at the prestigious Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) on 1 October, at Matterley Basin in Great Britain.