Tommy Searle conquers Loket circuit; teammate Rattray second
in thrilling MX2 races
Tommy Searle got the edge on Red Bull KTM teammate Tyla Rattray
in race two on the twisty Loket track on Sunday to come away
with the overall Czech Republic GP victory.
Searle has now inched closer to championship leader Tyla as
the fight between the teammates for the MX2 title goes right
down to the wire. With Anthony Boissiere of the KTM-supported
team HDI of France in third place on the podium, it was an
excellent result for the Austrian manufacturer.
Close races; thrills for spectators
The two races in the Czech Republic, the first won by Rattray
of South Africa and the second by Searle after both managed
to capitalise on mistakes of their teammates, were a true
indication of how little there is between these two outstanding
KTM factory riders. Both riders delivered top performances
in what was viewed as one of the best races of the season.
And although British teenager Searle came away with the overall
victory, Rattray still leads the championship by 20 points
and hangs onto the coveted Red Plate. Despite the tight race
for the title the two Red Bull KTM teammates are still displaying
solid team harmony and both declared that the two races in
Loket were "a lot of fun".
Sunday a reward for efforts, Searle says
Tommy was out of the gates very fast and established an early
lead in both races. "I had a good speed the whole weekend,"
he said. "I made some mistakes yesterday and I put a
bit of pressure on myself so the win today was my reward.
To be first and second was good and we had lots of fun. I
am looking forward to the next race in Ireland and although
there will be some pressure because it's like a home GP for
me, I'll also have the support of a lot of fans," Searle
said, commenting about the brand new racing venue in Ireland.
 Best
result at Loket for Rattray
Tyla Rattray, who rode superbly in both races, was able to
capitalise on a mistake by Searle in the final stages of race
one to take the first place. Although the tables were turned
in race two he was very satisfied with his overall second
place. Last year in Loket Rattray sustained injuries that
took him out for the rest of the season and ended his bid
for the 2007 title. "Considering my past results here,
this weekend was a success for me," the South African
said. "I got past Tommy in the first heat when he made
a mistake and we had a good fight in and lots of fun in the
second. From now on I will try to lift my game and do my best
in the remaining races. I have been fighting for the title
for the past three seasons, so I don't feel any particular
pressure." Rattray did ride the second race with a strapped
ankle after he twisted it in the first race. He will have
it checked out by doctors in Belgium this week.
Goncalves fails to find rhythm
After winning the second qualifying race on Saturday, Red
Bull KTM's Portuguese rider Rui Goncalves was seventh overall
and moved down one place in the overall standings to sixth
position. "Today was not the result I expected after
I did well yesterday," Goncalves commented. "I didn't
have good starts and the first corner here is very tricky.
Now I am going to focus on the things I have to improve on."
Cracked collarbone for Shaun Simpson
Shaun Simpson of KTM UK was forced to sit out Sundays GP after
he cracked his right collarbone in a crash on Saturday. He
attempted a few laps in the warm-up session on Sunday but
then decided to sit out the race. Simpson, who has been confirmed
for the Red Bull KTM Factory team for 2009, is still fourth
in the championship standings. He will have medical tests
this week, after which it will be decided if he will be able
to race in Ireland.
Overall MX2 Results
1. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM (2-1)
2. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM (1-2)
3. Anthony Boissiere, France, KTM, (5-3)
4. Nicolas Aubin, France, Yamaha (3-6)
5. Steven Sword, Britain, Kawasaki (4-5)
Other KTM
7. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM (8-10)
10. Jeremy Tarroux, France, KTM (9-12)
11. Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM (7-20)
14. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM
Championship Standings
1. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM 499
2. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM 479
3. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, 357
4. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM 312
5. Nicolas Aubin, France, Yamaha 309
Other KTM
6. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM 303
9. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM 244
12. Anthony Boissiere, France, KTM 210
15. Jeremy Tarroux, France, KTM 161
16. Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM 148
KTM's Barragan third overall at Loket CZ; Nagl wins
race one for overall fourth;
Jonathan Barragan onboard a KTM for Team Silver Action continued
his presence on the MX1 podium on Sunday in Loket, Czech Republic
scoring a 2-5 result in the two races for third place overall.
Both MX1 races were heart stoppers for the crowd at the Loket
circuit and Red Bull KTM factory rider Max Nagl contributed
to the thrills with an excellent winning first race. Nagle
went out brilliantly in race one to master the twisty track
but his ninth place finish in race two netted him only fourth
place overall. Nagl was just one point behind Barragan in
the calculations.
Barragan still in the race for the title
"I am happy to be the podium again," said Barragan
of Spain. "I picked up some more points and the good
result, which follows on from my three consecutive MX1 wins.
The track here had many ripples and turns and it was not so
easy to lay down good laps. I was second in the first race
but Nagl was very strong. Then I had a crash in the second
and finished fifth. From now on I want to be on the podium
as often as I can and we will see what happens in the championship
when we get to the last race in Italy." Barragan in fact
finished the day with 38 points, equal to that of second placed
Sebastien Pourcel. He trails the championship leader by 36
points, but he is in excellent form and there are still 150
points up for grabs for the remaining six races.
Nagl satisfied with good result in race one.
"I spoke to Stefan (Everts) before the warm-up and this
was positive for how it went for me. It also paid off with
the good result in race one. I was first at the start and
I was third coming out of the first corner behind Mackenzie
but then he crashed so I got past him. I also had a good start
in the second race but I touched another rider in the first
corner and only came out sixth or seventh. After that I had
some rhythm problems." The German factory rider said
he was looking forward to the next races in Ireland. "I
have heard that they might be sandy and if so, that's cool
for me. I love it when it's like that!"
The track at Loket, 140 km west of Prague and close to the
German border and known as the Serpentine because of its many
curves, was an intermediate surface with some shale that at
times was slippery. Riders now have a break before competition
resumes in Ireland at then end of the month for the final
three rounds of the 2008 season.
Results MX1
1. David Philippaerts, Italy, Yamaha (3-1)
2. Sebastien Pourcel, France, Kawasaki (5-2)
3. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM (2-5)
4. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM (1-9)
5. Steve Ramon, Belgium, Suzuki (4-4)
World Championship Standings
1. David Philippaerts, Italy, 405
2. Steven Ramon, Belgium, 398
3. Josh Coppins, New Zealand, 370
4. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM (Team Silver Action) 369
5. Ken de Dyker, Belgium, 369
Other KTM
7. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM (Red Bull KTM)
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