Just one week after a career-best performance at the MXGP of Czechia, JK Racing Yamaha rider Isak Gifting delivered another impressive showing at the MXGP of Flanders, finishing sixth overall. While the result was just one position short of his Loket finish, in many ways, the ride in Lommel was an even stronger indicator of the significant progress both Gifting and the team continue to make. The Swedish talent had top-ten pace all weekend finishing inside the top-ten from the first time he hit the track for Free Practice to the final race of the weekend – a great addition of consistency to his already immense speed.

With qualifying races now awarding points to the top ten finishers, they’ve become an added race simulation where riders push the limits to gain valuable championship points and a strong gate pick for Sunday’s motos. Gifting’s fourth-place finish in last weekend’s qualifying race marked his best of the season, surpassing his previous best of seventh in Saint Jean d’Angely. His qualifying performance clearly boosted the #517’s confidence, as he pulled the holeshot and led the field for over 15 minutes before securing an impressive fourth place.

“I’m very satisfied with my progress this weekend” he told Cult Moto. “I knew I had speed and starts but to be able to keep top 5 speed for 35 minutes was a good step forward for me, especially on this track! I am looking forward to see how strong I can be by the end of the season.”

Cult Moto

A realistic goal for the Swede heading into the season would have been to establish himself as a consistent top-ten finisher. While he’s struggled to achieve that week in and week out – partly due to injuries that forced him to miss several rounds – the past two Grands Prix highlight the genuine progress Gifting has made in 2025. For many riders in his position, flashes of speed can appear on any given weekend, but consistency often fails to follow. In Gifting’s case, however, his progression has been steady and cumulative – what we’ve seen recently is a result of that momentum. He now looks like a rider capable of contending for the top five every weekend, rather than just clicking on when conditions suit him.

Gifting’s current form has aligned perfectly with the MXGP calendar, as his home Grand Prix in Uddevalla is up next. Beyond the obvious motivation of racing on home soil, the Swede has every reason to feel confident – last year, he led the opening three laps of the first MXGP race in front of the home crowd.

Isak Gifting is one of the feel-good stories of the 2025 season, and what makes it so compelling is that the sky truly seems to be the limit for the JK Racing Yamaha rider.