Tyla Rattray bullish about factory Kawasaki possibilities for 2015
By TMX Archives on 5th Dec 14
Former MX2 World Champion Tyla Rattray is buoyant ahead of just his second season in MXGP, the premier class of the FIM series, and is already calling his factory Monster Energy KX450F "the best 450 I have ever ridden". The South African was speaking exclusively on the eve of closing his and team-mate Ryan Villopotos - final 2014 tests with the KRT crew in Catalunya.
Rattray had been drafted into the team ahead of Villopoto and after a 2014 campaign in which two finger injuries hampered his ability to show his real potential in what was his first season in Grand Prix since his MX2 title win in 2008.
Rattray rode a 350FC Husqvarna for the factory Red Bull IceOne crew but terminated his contract by mutual consent and did not travel to the last two rounds of the season in the wake of his injury problems. His link with KRT re-starts an association with Kawasaki that lasted half a decade in AMA competition.
Due to a lacklustre term (with a best GP result of fourth) it has been suggested that the recently turned 29 year old was secured by Kawasaki as an extra incentive to lure Villopoto to MXGP due to the pair's friendship. Rattray refutes this notion. "I really wanted to get into KRT because I knew they had a solid programme, they had won Grands Prix and been close to going for a world championship," he says. "I had been on Kawasakis for five years in the U.S. and from what I have seen so far it [KRT] is like the winning teams I have been on in the past."
"I did not get the ride because of Ryan, I wanted to go there anyway," he explains. "I signed my contract before he signed his and while he was in the stage of ‘shall I go to Europe or not?' I was always going to stay in Europe and I spoke with Thierry [Chizat Suzzoni, Team Owner]. It was not like I was a ‘nobody' trying to get a ride. I've won a world championship and fought for titles in America."
Back on familiar 450cc technology Rattray has been quick to get on pace and is bullish about the package and opportunity he has: "We have a great engine, with a lot of technicians and the Japanese working with us now. We have a great group from Dunlop and partners on the bike that are giving us the best possible equipment. Just in the way it handles I feel that the bike I have now is the best 450 I have ever ridden."
"The way testing has been going I know my speed is good," he adds. "I'm riding with one of the fastest guys in the world so I can see where I am at. If I can close that gap down to him when we are training and doing motos then I have a better chance of getting on the podium."
Rattray knows he is likely to be surrounded by a circus at Grand Prix events next season with most countries eager to get close-up with Villopoto. This time last year his own presence back in MXGP was being feted but this time he is relatively in the shadows compared to the number ‘2' beside him. "It should be like that," he asserts. "Who was the last guy - especially nowadays in any sport - to win four back-to-back titles? So yeah there is going to be more spotlight on him. More than [Tony] Cairoli I'd say. It is the first time a rider of his level from the U.S. is coming over to race the GPs. The press and fans will be crazy around him."
