Reigning MXGP World Championship number one Tim Gajser will aim to replicate his 2016 rookie season opener approach for this weekend’s event in Losail, Qatar.

Entering the 2016 season opener off the back of his maiden world title in the MX2 category, the Slovenian blitzed the field sweeping both motos on debut.

For 2017 it will be a similar low-pressure affair for the Team HRC rider who is confident in both his machine and pre-season preparations leading into round one.

“Obviously my goal is to be on the podium and last year I had the double win here,” said Gajser. “We have been working hard during the winter and we have set up an awesome bike through HRC. I am not putting any pressure on myself I am going to go out enjoy it and have fun like I did last year, which I do not think is a bad goal for the first race.

“It’s always really exciting coming into the first race of the season and the weather is looking good which will be nice conditions for racing. I feel like three months without racing has been a really long break so I am looking forward to getting back into the season.”

Gajser will be joined by returning factory Honda rider Evgeny Bobryshev at Team HRC aboard their all-new 2017 Honda CRF450RW machines.