KTM snaggle Nagl for 2008
By TMX Archives on 18th May 07
KTM became the first factory to make a new signing for 2008 on Saturday when Pit Beirer announced that Max Nagl had agreed a three year contract with the Mattighofen team.
I am delighted that we have a German-speaking rider in a German-speaking team again.''
Nagl himself had a grin from ear to ear: This is what I have been working for the last five years. It's like a dream come true.''
The 19-year-old Bavarian was also relieved by his riding at the weekend: I still have pain, even though I am taking tablets, but Friday night was the first time I had been able to sleep properly all week because of excessive pain ever since I went to the fitness studio and swimming on Tuesday.''
Beirer also confirmed that KTM expect to run a four man works team again in 2008: This is the perfect number for us to run. We could take five, but we expect to run four riders again. The same goes for the numbers in each class. We don't have to run two per class, but it is the most likely solution.''
As to the actual names: Jonathan Barragan is already confirmed for 2008, and Tommy Searle has a contract with KTM, but could ride either GPs or in the USA.''
Tommy's personal manager, James Dobb, insists that he will go to the US next year however, and KTM could be on the lookout for two new riders in MX2.
Beirer: Tyla Rattray has until the end of June to decide what he wants to do.''
The South African, whilst keeping tight-lipped about his plans, is expected to follow a new avenue not previously explored; the hot tip is that he will join the Suzuki MX1 factory team to replace Steve Ramon, whose contract expires in the autumn. Ramon is tipped to then go back to De Groot Kawasaki.