retains MX2 Red Plate as championship leader
Red Bull KTM factory rider Tyla Rattray scored a 1-3 finish in the two motos for overall second in a mud and rain-soaked MX2 GP in Uddevala, southern Sweden.
The South African's days work gave him 45 points to retain his lead in the championship and the coveted red plate, despite a tenacious effort by his nemesis Antonio Cairoli of Italy whose 1-2 result gave him the top podium step on the day.
Visibility problems
With mud flying and the track badly cut up after overnight riders, including Rattray, struggled with visibility. "I didn't have a good start in the first heat but I was able to catch up and win easily. I had a good start in the second and I was second behind Shaun, but I had to hang back after I had to get rid of my goggles," Rattray said. "I lost two points to Antonio but we have some good tracks coming up so I am positive."
Rattray now goes to the next race in his home country as the championship leaders and is guaranteed to have a huge public following in the next round. Next eek he plans to train on the sand at Lommel in Belgium before going to South Africa. He also plans to compete in the ADAC Masters in Austria next weekend.
Good day for Shaun Simpson
Shaun Simpson of KTM UK had a good day in difficult conditions for a 3-2- result for third place on the GP podium. "It was really tough and very slick today and it was a good weekend for me. I could see on Saturday that I was fast. Then I took the holeshot in the first race and I knew I would be good in the second," Simpson said. "It's good to be on the podium again but next time I need to get one step higher!" Simpson was also on the podium in third place in Bulgaria.
Searle wants to work on aspects of his riding
Red Bull KTM rider Tommy Searle had a brush with title holder Antonio Cairoli in race one and finished in sixth place. He was with the front runners in race two and was third for overall fourth on the day. "Today was not good for me," he said. "I had problems with my goggles and I couldn't see. Also I didn't like the track so much and it wasn't like it was last year. My riding was ok but I still have some things to work on. Tommy is third in the overall season's standings
Goncalves rides with injured wrist
The third of the Red Bull KTM trio, Rui Goncalves injured his wrist during training on Saturday and it was still very swollen on Sunday. He had it strapped and had anti inflammatory injections and pain killers ending the day with a 7-6 result for overall sixth. "Considering the problems I had with my arm it wasn't so bad to finish sixth and I am quite satisfied. I have to rest if for two days and then I will know if I can train on the sand this week," Rui said.
Stefan Everts pleased with season so far
"So far we have been good in MX2. We are in the lead and we have had the red number plate both with Tyla and Tommy . I want us to maintain this strong position in the second half of the season. We have seen some times that Cairoli is faster so if we are able to win, it will be great," Everts said. KTM was the supreme manufacturer at Uddevala in MX2, snatching five of the top six places in the overall MX2 results.
Race one
1. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM
2. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha
3. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM
4. Steven Frossard, France, Kawasaki
5. Nicolas Aubin, France, Yamaha
6. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM
7. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM
Race two
1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha
2. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM
3. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM
4. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM
5. Jeremy Tarroux, France, KTM
6. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM
Overall
1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha
2. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM
3. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM
4. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM
5. Jeremy Tarroux, France, KTM
6. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM
Other KTM
7. Jeremy Tarroux, France, KTM
8. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM
15. Anthony Boissiere, France, KTM
Championship standings
1. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM 371 points
2. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, 357
3. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM 348
4. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM 251
5. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, 227
Other KTM
9. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM, 170
12. Anthony Boissiere, France, KTM, 146
14. Jeremy Tarroux, France, KTM 127
16. Joel Roelants, Belgium, 99
- KTM-Sportmotorcycles -
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