Red Bull KTM factory riders Tyla Rattray and Tommy Searle both put in positive qualifying results ahead of the MX2 GP in Uddevala Sweden on Saturday.
Tyla was second in the first qualifier and said it was "not so bad". "I was a little tense," he said. "They had watered the track quite heavily and I didn't want to take any risks. It dried out towards the end of the session and then my lap times were faster. The track has been changed since last year and although they have put down a lot of sand it is still a hard surface underneath and can be quite bumpy."
Searle feeling no pressure
Tommy Searle on the other hand was relaxed, likes the track and comfortably won the second qualifier. "It was good for me today. I had a good start and got the holeshot and I was about seven seconds in front so then I got a bit less motivated and decided to ease off a bit. Tomorrow I want to have two good starts and I'm going to be riding with no pressure. I'm going to be very relaxed."
The third member of the Red Bull factory team, Rui Goncalves of Portugal was sixth and will be riding on Sunday with renewed confidence after a solid fourth place last weekend in Germany. Shaun Simpson of KTM UK was also prominent, finishing second behind tommy Searle.
Rattray out to retain red plate
Tyla will be doing his best to hold onto the red number plate as championship leader because the next event is in his home country of South Africa. On the other hand, he faces factory team-mate Searle as one of his fiercest rivals on a track where Tommy won his first career moto last season. The two Red Bull KTM factory riders are jointly battling it out with arch rival and title holder Antonio Carioli in the race for the title, which at the half way mark of the season has turned into a true battle of attrition.
Qualifying Race One
1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha, 24:40.954
2. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM, 24:45.268
3. Davide Guarneri, Italy, Yamaha 25:09.101
4. Xavier Boog, France, Suzuki, 25:12.420
5. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM 25:17.752
Qualifying Race Two
1. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM 24:40.514
2. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM 24:47.080
3. Steven Frossard, France, Kawasaki, 24:55.397
4. Wyatt Avis, South Africa, Honda, 25:00.335
5. Matti Seistola, Finland, Honda, 25:00.946
6. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM, 25:02.841
KTM's Max Nagl confident ahead of Swedish MX1 GP
Red Bull KTM factory rider Max Nagl finished in eighth in MX1 time practice ahead of the Swedish GP on Saturday but is confident ahead of Sunday's two motos.
"It was a good day for me and although I was only eighth the times were very close and I am up with the top riders," he said. "Even from eighth on the gate I should be able to get a good start. I'll try to get the holeshot and to stay in front.
Max is feeling confident and in better physical condition after doctors established last week that he had a virus and began to treat it. He is still on medicate but is feeling stronger every day and goes into Sunday's race with a positive attitude and feeling confident. Max did not race in Uddevala last year due to injuries. KTM rider Jonathan Barragan from Team Silver Action rode to fourth place in the Time Practice
Riders experienced a quick and technical track at the Glimminge Motorstation at Uddevalla on Sweden's west coast, set in a natural rocky valley that creates a natural amphitheater and therefore provides very attractive viewing potential for spectators.
MX1 Time Practice
1. Steve Ramon, Belgium, Suzuki, 1:40.169
2. Ken de Dycker, Belgium, Suzuki, 1:40.209
3. Tanel Leok, Estonia, Kawasaki, 1:40.254
4. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM, 1:40.604
5. Sebastien Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 1:40.634
6. Clement Desalle, Belgium, Suzuki, 1:40.865
7. David Philippaerts, Italy, Yamaha, 1:40.983
8. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM, 1:41.150
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