Pit Beirer talks about the 2008 MX season
By TMX Archives on 21st Mar 08
KTM's Offroad Director Pit Beirer talks about the 2008 MX season. What are your expectations for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team in2008?
It is our goal to bring the entire team through the season in goodhealth and to see a couple of our guys on the podium every Sunday. Together withStefan Everts we have prepared a three-year plan and now we go together into thesecond season. We want to present our fans with a strong KTM performance throughgood team spirit and targeted preparation.
Strong contenders for theMX2 title with both Tyla Rattray and Tommy Searle?
I am certain thatTyla and Tommy have what is necessary to fight for the world championship titlein MX2. Who ends up being the world champion at the end of the season is often amatter of luck. What we aspire to do is to be prepared in such a way so that ourguys 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 thisseason is definitely all about finally establishing himself among the world'stop riders. He is still very young for the MX1 class and we are giving him timeto further develop. I am very sure that Max can muster his power and finish onthe podium at any time and a place in the top eight in the world championshipshould be possible.
What are your general expectations for the fivenew KTM supported teams in the 2008 MX season?
Our aim is simply to havea broader based- and bigger overall presence in the sport. It's our dream forthe future to have our own factory riders come from our youth program. It's alot of fun to work with these young guys and through our cooperation with StefanEverts and his father Harry we have the possibility to offer the best trainingprogram on offer in the entire world of Motocross.
A few words aboutthe strategy of supporting these teams?
The strategy is clearly defined.The spearhead is made up of the factory team with its four factory riders. Thenthere are the five satellite teams that we have created in close cooperationwith our subsidiary companies in the various countries. Included in this is afurther structure where we are already trying to bind talented young guys to usin the European championships.
Is it about nurturing young talent?Increasing KTM presence in the paddock?
It is not so much aboutincreasing KTM's presence in the paddock; it's much more about training youngathletes and preparing them for the big leap into the factory team. In themeantime it's become very expensive to get into the sport and there are not manywho are able to afford to compete in the world championships. With our programwe want to show that it's possible to get to the top through good results and astart in the world championship is not just about having plenty of money.
I hear you worked closely with the KTM motor sports representativesin the individual countries to choose riders for the five supported teams. Isthat correct and what qualities were you looking for in the riders?
Iwould like to take this opportunity to thank all our managing directors from ourcountry subsidiaries. We would not be able to find these great talents withouttheir help and their skill at having the right eye to pick them out. Thequalities we look for are simple. We want guys who really have the passion forthe 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 JuniorsTeam Champ (Jeremy van Horebeek and Joel Roelants): how were these guys selectedand what makes them stand out as being ready to race at this level?
These two are a wonderful mix from our junior structures. Joel wasdiscovered by Jacky Martens and he already took care of him for us in theEuropean Championship. Jeremy was discovered by Kees van de Ven and he rode topodium places in his first year. It is only because of these structures that wehave these young guys in our line of vision, otherwise maybe we would not haveseen them until it was too late.
What would you expect from them inthe first year?
If they could ride regularly in the top ten of theworld, we would be very happy.
Some of the teams are new and it willbe a chance for young riders to gain a footing in top class racing. But JonathanBarragan will be riding in MX1 for Team Silver Action and so will MarcusSchiffer (Team Sarholz). So here we have two riders who can challenge the RedBull KTM Factory Racing Rider Max Nagl. Will any of these three riders be titlecontenders in MX1?
I am really sure that Jonathan and Max will beregular guests on the world championship podium but it would be presumptuous totalk about the world championship title at this stage. I think we should usethis year to perfectly position the team for the future and in 2009 a youngrider from our own juniors program will then fight for the MX1 title!!