Image: Supplied.

Team Honda HRC’s Tim Gajser will return to racing this weekend at the second round of the 2018 MXGP World Championship in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, after a jaw injury ruled him out of Argentina’s season-opener.

The Slovenian, who fractured his jaw while contesting a pre-season event in Italy, has only had limited time aboard his factory-prepared CRF450RW since the incident, however it hasn’t dampened his excitement to kick-off his 2018 campaign.

“I’m so happy to be finally making my season debut,” said Gajser. “I feel ready to go – I’ve ridden three times already and I’m getting more and more comfortable on the bike. Now I am just looking forward to getting to Valkenswaard and racing again. It will obviously be harder than normal not only because I’m back from injury but also because the other guys already have one round under their belts.”

“But nevertheless I’m in good shape, I’ve been training a lot and I got back the few kilograms I lost due to the inability to eat properly in the early part of the recovery. I can’t wait to be back with the team again – it wasn’t fun to watch the races from home.”

The premier class is currently led by multi-time MX2 world champion Jeffrey Herlings (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who is currently tied on points with defending world champion and teammate Antonio Cairoli (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).