Searle tops MX2 podium
By TMX Archives on 11th May 08
Red Bull KTM factory rider Tommy Searle stopped the hearts of all spectators of the second MX2 moto in Sevielo, Bulgaria on Sunday when he swept past fellow KTM rider Shaun Simpson in the last seconds of the race to take the top podium spot in the GP.
On a day when rain fell to soften the hard track and reshuffle the cards justbefore the second MX2 moto, Red Bull KTM's Tyla Rattray made a good comebackfrom a tussle with Toni Cairoli in the second moto to finish overall second.Shaun Simpson was on the podium for the first time in third place to complete acomplete clean sweep of the podium for KTM.
Elated Tommy Searle
"I am very happy because this is my first victory of the season and my secondcareer GP win," Tommy said. "I really enjoyed the battle with Shaun. I knew thatTyla and Cairoli were quite far back but I did not want to take any risks. Thetrack was quite tricky as I wanted to be sure to try to pass Shaun at just theright time." The last minute by the young British title contender was certainlythe highlight of the race weekend at this circuit in central Bulgaria.
Rattray overcomes clash with Cairoli
Tyla Rattray, now again in front in the championship standings and owner ofthe red number place said he regretted the incident with Toni Cairoli, thecurrent MX2 champion, saying that although it was part of racing he was sorry ithad happened. "I always like to ride clean but I also always race for the win."After the tangle Tyla managed to work his way back up through the pack on acircuit and in conditions where it was difficult to make up ground. After histhird place in the first moto he finished fifth in the second, collecting enoughpoints for the second podium place on the day.
First GP podium for Shaun Simpson
Shaun Simpson, riding for Team KTM UK, one of the new KTM-supported teams wasnaturally delighted to be up with Searle. He led the race right from thebeginning and said he didn't expect to be on the podium this early in his careerin GP racing. "This is a very new experience for me," he said. "This is a trackthat suits me and I already knew in race one that I was fast. I couldn't believeI was in front of Tommy in the second moto. It was fun and now I know I amgetting faster I have good hopes for the rest of the season and I want toimprove in every GP.
Problems for Goncalves in heat one
Rui Goncalves, the third Red Bull KTM factory rider had difficulty with painin his arms in the first moto, finishing in tenth place. The second heat provedmore successful after some adjustments to the bike's setup. "I had a lot ofproblems with my arms in the first heat. It was very distracting and hard toride. It was easier in the second with a different setup but I did not have avery good start. I was also behind Cairoli and Tyla during their incident. Iwent on to finish seventh and of course I never give up." The Portuguese RedBull KTM rider said he is looking forward to next week's ride in Mantova, Italy,where he had a good race in the pre-season Starcross event. "It's now my aim tofinish every Gp and to pick up as many points as I can," he said.
Great MX2 weekend for KTM
The Bulgarian GP was very successful for KTM with six of the top eight riderson their machines.
Results MX2 Grand Prix
1. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM
2. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM
3. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM
4. Xavier Boog, France, Suzuki
5. Nicolas Aubin, France, Yamaha
6. Anthony Boissere, France, KTM
7. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha
8. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM
Championship Standings after Grand Prix of Bulgaria
1. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM, 157 points (regains leader's red numberplate)
2. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha, 153
3. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM, 149
4. Nicolas Aubin, France, Yamaha, 106
5. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM, 106
Other KTM
8. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM, 92
10. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM, 82
13. Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM, 54
14. Anthony Boissiere, France, KTM, 50
17. Joel Tarroux, France, KTM, 38