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 world championship title in 2008 did his winter training in the USA where he has signed 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 frame of the bike a lot. This was very important race for me but I know everyone is going to improve between now and when the Grand Prix season starts in March,” Tommy said. He will now return home to the UK where he will train five days a week in preparation for the opening of the season.
 

New boy Goncalves happy with KTM factory team

The latest recruit to the MX2 KTM Red Bull Factory Team Rui Goncalves of Portugal finished third overall and was also satisfied with the weekend’s result in Italy. “The new chassis is very good and it is a powerful bike,” he said. “Like everyone here I wanted to show what I could do but I know I have to improve and I didn’t want to push too much. It was a good result for me, the speed was good and I know I am going to improve a lot by the time the season starts.” Goncalves said he was happy with the feeling and cooperation in his new team. He now plans to go the Belgium 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 with others because it is also important to get the comparison between me and the other guys.”
 

Rattray fit again and “Ready to Race” for KTM

Tyla Rattray, fit and raring to go after major knee reconstruction surgery last November and a period of convalescence at home in South Africa said he too was happy and satisfied with his first ride on the KTM for six months. “I like the new bike very much. It is much better in the corners,” he said. “This was a warm-up race for me and I didn’t expect to win but it was a good test of my fitness. I know I will be 100% for the first race of the season and in the meantime I will go to train in Belgium and will also race the international in Valence, France.”
 

Results

Overall MX2

  • 1. Tommy Searle, 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. Searle KTM, (MX2)
  • 9. Nagl, KTM (MX1)
  • 10. Gonvalves, KTM (MX2)