KTM's Offroad Director Pit Beirer talks about the 2008 MX
season
 What
are your expectations for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Team in 2008?
It is our goal to bring the entire team through the season
in good health and to see a couple of our guys on the podium
every Sunday. Together with Stefan Everts we have prepared
a three-year plan and now we go together into the second season.
We want to present our fans with a strong KTM performance
through good team spirit and targeted preparation.
Strong contenders for the MX2 title with both Tyla
Rattray and Tommy Searle?
I am certain that Tyla and Tommy have what is necessary to
fight for the world championship title in MX2. Who ends up
being the world champion at the end of the season is often
a matter of luck. What we aspire to do is to be prepared in
such a way so that our guys will be fighting it out for the
title right up to the last GP.
What do you expect from Max Nagl this season?
For Max this season is definitely all about finally establishing
himself among the world's top riders. He is still very young
for the MX1 class and we are giving him time to further develop.
I am very sure that Max can muster his power and finish on
the podium at any time and a place in the top eight in the
world championship should be possible.
What are your general expectations for the five new
KTM supported teams in the 2008 MX season?
Our aim is simply to have a broader based- and bigger overall
presence in the sport. It's our dream for the future to have
our own factory riders come from our youth program. It's a
lot of fun to work with these young guys and through our cooperation
with Stefan Everts and his father Harry we have the possibility
to offer the best training program on offer in the entire
world of Motocross.
A few words about the strategy of supporting these
teams?
The strategy is clearly defined. The spearhead is made up
of the factory team with its four factory riders. Then there
are the five satellite teams that we have created in close
cooperation with our subsidiary companies in the various countries.
Included in this is a further structure where we are already
trying to bind talented young guys to us in the European championships.
Is it about nurturing young talent? Increasing KTM
presence in the paddock?
It is not so much about increasing KTM's presence in the paddock;
it's much more about training young athletes and preparing
them for the big leap into the factory team. In the meantime
it's become very expensive to get into the sport and there
are not many who are able to afford to compete in the world
championships. With our program we want to show that it's
possible to get to the top through good results and a start
in the world championship is not just about having plenty
of money.
I hear you worked closely with the KTM motor sports
representatives in the individual countries to choose riders
for the five supported teams. Is that correct and what qualities
were you looking for in the riders?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our managing
directors from our country subsidiaries. We would not be able
to find these great talents without their help and their skill
at having the right eye to pick them out. The qualities we
look for are simple. We want guys who really have the passion
for the sport, that have a big heart and the will to work
towards the big target.
Looking at the very young riders - for example in
the GP Juniors Team Champ (Jeremy van Horebeek and Joel Roelants):
how were these guys selected and what makes them stand out
as being ready to race at this level?
These two are a wonderful mix from our junior structures.
Joel was discovered by Jacky Martens and he already took care
of him for us in the European Championship. Jeremy was discovered
by Kees van de Ven and he rode to podium places in his first
year. It is only because of these structures that we have
these young guys in our line of vision, otherwise maybe we
would not have seen them until it was too late.
What would you expect from them in the first year?
If they could ride regularly in the top ten of the world,
we would be very happy.
Some of the teams are new and it will be a chance
for young riders to gain a footing in top class racing. But
Jonathan Barragan will be riding in MX1 for Team Silver Action
and so will Marcus Schiffer (Team Sarholz). So here we have
two riders who can challenge the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Rider Max Nagl. Will any of these three riders be title contenders
in MX1?
I am really sure that Jonathan and Max will be regular guests
on the world championship podium but it would be presumptuous
to talk about the world championship title at this stage.
I think we should use this year to perfectly position the
team for the future and in 2009 a young rider from our own
juniors program will then fight for the MX1 title!!
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