What the KTM MX2 riders say ahead of the Italian GP in Mantova
Red Bull KTM factory riders made their presence felt on a
wet and rough track in Italy's Mantova on Saturday ahead of
the MX2 Grand Prix of Italy on Sunday.
Rain made it hard going on one of the few sandy circuits in
Italy where 70% sand is mixed with 30% natural soil and more
bad weather is predicted for Sunday's GPs.
Again championship leader South African Tyla Rattray's factory
teammate Tommy Searle was his toughest rival in the MX2 Qualifying
Race two with Searle snatching victory by a narrow margin.
Rattray was hampered by the flu but is improving and is optimistic
for the race. Title defender and arch rival Antonio Cairoli
won the first qualifying while Rui Goncalves, the third KTM
factory rider recovered from a crash to finish in eighth behind
Jeremy van Horebeek from the KTM-supported GP Juniors Team
Champ.
Tommy Searle, Red Bull KTM
"I won the holeshot and I was out in front riding with
Tyla for the first three laps before I started to pull away
from him. I went on to win by about six seconds and it was
an easy ride for me today. There was light rain but tomorrow
can be completely different."
Tyla Rattray, Red Bull KTM
"It was ok for me today but I didn't feel that great.
I have had the flu since Tuesday and I didn't want to push
too hard. Today I am feeling a bit better but I still felt
tired after a few laps. I had quite a good start and I was
behind Tommy but I made a few mistakes and I didn't feel as
though I had enough strength. I know it will be better tomorrow."
Rui Goncalves, Red Bull KTM
"I got a good start and I was up with the top three but
I lost control of the front tyre going into the first corner
and crashed. Then I had to work my way back through the pack
from last position. It was raining during the race so it wasn't
so easy. The track got very wet and there are a lot of races
this weekend so it's getting quite cut up. I like the track
at Mantova and although the weather is probably going to be
bad it will be the same for all of us and I will go out and
try to do my best.
Nagl ninth in Saturday's MX1 time Practice at Mantova
Wet conditions and a track that was cut up hampered riders
in the MX1 Time Practice ahead of the MX1 GP in Mantova, Italy
and Red Bull KTM's Max Nagl of Germany is hoping for a better
performance on race day.
Max Nagl, Red Bull KTM
The track was rough today because of the rain and the heavy
program of races but I didn't ride so well. I don't really
know the problem, I was just too slow. There will be more
rain tomorrow so the track will be in worse shape, but it's
the same for us all. For tomorrow I want to take the holeshot
and stay out in front.
Spain's Jonathan Barragan of the KTM supported Team Silver
Action came in in tenth place behind Nagl.
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