MX2 Grand Prix of Spain
By TMX Archives on 20th Apr 08
Red Bull KTM factory rider Tyla Rattray saved his day with a win in the first moto at Bellpuig Spain on Sunday to hold onto the red number plate as the championship leader on a day where the weather was the overall winner.
Rain fell continually from 3:00 a.m. on Sunday morning and the track was badlycut up to the extent that Rattray described it as more of a battle than a race.With the track still acceptable in the first race, Tyla won the holeshot andstayed out in front to finish with more than a minute lead over second placeAntonio Cairoli the current title holder. By the second moto the track was badlycut up with most riders, including Rattray getting stuck in the ruts and themud. KTM team boss Stefan Everts also said conditions, especially in the secondrace were unacceptable. "Tyla won the first heat with a big lead and he was in agood position in the second race but then he got stuck in the mud," he said.Tyla finished fifth in to final GP classification adding 29 points to hischampionship tally.
Searle no fan of wet conditions
TommySearle is no fan of the wet conditions. He did manage to take the holeshot inthe second race but then had a crash and had to go into the pit lane to changegoggles and gloves. "Saturday was ok but Sunday was difficult," he said. I justtried to finish the race and to pick up some points. It was no great race todaybut it's a long championship."
Goncalves saves day with fourth placein race two
Rui Goncalves, the third Red bull KTM rider was also withoutluck on a day where few riders escaped incidents. "The race was a mess," hesaid. "The first heat was quite good in the beginning but then I got stuck in arut and stalled the bike. I didn't have a very good start in the second race butI just wanted to survive and manage to finish. My fourth place in race two savedmy day.
Rui rides before his home crowd in Portugal in the next GP nextweekend and all three Red Bull KTM riders plan to now go to straight to Portugaland get some practice for the event.
Grand Prix Classification
1. Davide Guarneri, Italy, Yamaha
2. Manuel Monni Italy, Yamaha
3. Stephen Sword, Britain, Kawasaki
4. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha
5. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM
6. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM
13.Rui Goncalves, Portugal KTM
World Championship standings
1.Tyla Rattray, KTM, 79 points
2. Antonio Cairoli, 76
3. Davide Guarneri,61
4. Tommy Searle, 60
5. Rui Goncalves, 51