Tommy Searle starts MX season with a flourish
By TMX Archives on 11th Feb 08
KTM Red Bull MX2 factory rider Tommy Searle sent a strong signal to his opponents this weekend when he won the overall class of MX 2 at the pre-season Starcross event in Mantova Italy. The young British rider, who is among the title favourites for the MX2 worldchampionship title in 2008 did his winter training in the USA where he hassigned to race for KTM in 2009.
Thumbs up for new KTM bike
"I am very happy to win today. My speed was good and I like the new frameof the bike a lot. This was very important race for me but I know everyone isgoing to improve between now and when the Grand Prix season starts inMarch," Tommy said. He will now return home to the UK where he will trainfive days a week in preparation for the opening of the season.
Newboy Goncalves happy with KTM factory team
The latest recruit to the MX2KTM Red Bull Factory Team Rui Goncalves of Portugal finished third overall andwas also satisfied with the weekend's result in Italy. "The new chassis isvery good and it is a powerful bike," he said. "Like everyone here Iwanted to show what I could do but I know I have to improve and I didn't want topush too much. It was a good result for me, the speed was good and I know I amgoing to improve a lot by the time the season starts." Goncalves said he washappy with the feeling and cooperation in his new team. He now plans to go theBelgium to train on the sand together with KTM MX team boss Stefan Everts."Now we need the sand practice," he said. "I will also ride withothers because it is also important to get the comparison between me and theother guys."
Rattray fit again and "Ready to Race" for KTM
Tyla Rattray, fit and raring to go after major knee reconstruction surgerylast November and a period of convalescence at home in South Africa said he toowas happy and satisfied with his first ride on the KTM for six months. "Ilike the new bike very much. It is much better in the corners," he said. Thiswas a warm-up race for me and I didn't expect to win but it was a good test ofmy fitness. I know I will be 100% for the first race of the season and in themeantime I will go to train in Belgium and will also race the international inValence, France."
Results
Overall MX2
1. TommySearle, Britain, KTM
2. Paulin
3. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM
4.Simpson
5. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM
Race One
1.Jonathan Barragan Spain KTM (MX1)
2. David Philippaerts, Italy, Yamaha (MX1)
3. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM (MX1)
4. Marc De Reuver, Netherland, Honda(MX1)
5. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM (MX2)
Race Two
1. Philippaerts (MX1)
2. De Reuver (MX1)
3. Pourcel (MX1)
4.Coppins (MX1)
5. Ramon (MX1)
6. Nagl, KTM (MX1)
7. Leok, (MX1)
8. Searle, KTM (MX2)
Race Three
1. Barragan, KTM (MX1)
2. Leok, (MX1)
3. Philippaerts (MX1)
4. Coppins (MX1)
5. SearleKTM, (MX2)
9. Nagl, KTM (MX1)
10. Gonvalves, KTM (MX2)
Rattray, KTM,DNF