Slovenian racer Tim Gajser has finished the Motocross World Championship second in the elite MXGP class, improving on the 11th place in the previous, injury-marred season. The four-time MXGP champion finished behind Jorge Prado of Spain, who defended his 2023 title.

Prado won the last race of the season in Cózar, Spain on 29 September to solidify his overall lead (996 points) and take the title, while Gajser finished second to fall ten points behind the Spaniard overall.

Gajser is back among the top two after taking part in only eight out of 20 races last season due to an injury.

"Of course it's difficult when you're second in the standings with such small margins, but I can't be too critical," the 28-year-old Slovenian said in a statement on the website of his HRC Honda team.

"Although it's difficult at the moment, I'm still proud of what we've achieved. To be the second motocross racer in the world is still exceptional," he added.

Gajser praised his team for doing everything for him to reach the ultimate goal. "It was a long and tiresome year, and it wouldn't have been possible without them, so I wanted to give it back to them with the title."

He is now looking forward to the Motocross des Nations, the annual meet where riders represent their countries, which will take place on 5 and 6 October in the UK.

"Then I will have some rest before I give it another try next year," added Gajser, who won the MXGP titles in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022, and finished third in 2021. He also won the 2015 title in the weaker MX2 class.