Second and third MX2 places for Rattray and Searle

Published: 27th April 2008

Author: KTM Press release, photo: Ray Archer

Red Bull KTM riders Tyla Rattray and Tommy Searle took the minor podium places on Sunday in the MX2 Grand Prix of Portugal, conceding defeat only to title holder Antonio Cairoli of Italy.

Tommy and Tyla came in second and third in race one and then reversed the order for race two, a sure fire indication that both are in good form after the mud bath race last weekend in Bellpuig, Spain. Rui Goncalves the team's third factory rider came in sixth in front of his home crowd in Agueda, Portugal to wind up a solid weekend's racing for the team.

No Red Number Plate

Tyla was very disappointed to relinquish the coveted red number plate for the first time this season but promised that he an Tommy planned to mount a real challenge for the championship title this year. "Still I was happy with my starts and with my riding style. I lost some time in the first heat and it took me some time to catch up with Tommy and Toni (Cairoli) but I finished in third and I did not crash. In the second heat I was squeezed a bit by Tommy and Toni in the first part of the race but I came back from eighth to third then Tommy had a small crash and I finished second." Team boss Stefan Everts said he expected the weekend's result would in fact be positive for Tyla as it would strengthen him mentally and make him determined to take on the challenge of beating the title holder.  

Tommy is back in contention

Searle, who will race in the USA from 2009 is clearly back in form after two difficult races in the first two GPs of the season in the heavy wet sand of Valkenswaard, Holland and in the severe mud of Bellpuig. "Today was good but it could be even better," Tommy said. " I got the holeshot in the first heat and I was out in front for quite a long time so I was able to show Cairoli that I have the speed. Then I had a small crash in the second heat but if that had not happened I would have been able to catch him. I am very happy because this was a proper race for me. It was tough but I had no problems like I had here last year and that's a sign that I am much fitter." Everts too was happy with Tommy's racing. "It was a very nice battle with Antonio. He was right up there with his speed and his lap times and I only think it is a matter of time before he beats Cairoli."  

Rui enjoys racing in front of home crowd

Rui Goncalves rose to the occasion in front of his home crowd and said the level of support he got from the fans was a real energy booster. "I was very satisfied with my riding. I rode well, I got some good lap times, I pushed hard and got some good points," he said. He too drew praise from Everts who said he showed his real aggressive riding style. "Today he showed us that he just doesn't ride well and aggressively during the week but also at the weekend as well. That was the real Rui," Everts said.

Also putting in a solid weekend's racing under extremely hot and tiring conditions was the young Belgian rider Jeremy van Horebeek of the KTM supported team GP Juniors Team Champ who was twice tenth to finish at eighth place in the GP ranking order.

Tyla now has to relinquish the lead in the championship by five points after Cairoli's double victory on the hard and bumpy surface of the Portuguese track. Tommy Searle is in third place and Rui Goncalves is in fifth. 

MX2 Results

1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha

2.  Tyla Rattray, South Africa KTM

3. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM

4. Stephen Sword. Britain, Kawasaki

5. Nicolas Aubin, France, Yamaha

6. Rui Goncalves, Portugal

8. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium KTM