Rattray in top form at season's opening MX2 GP

Red Bull KTM factory rider Tyla Rattray sent a strong signal to the opposition about his confidence and mental strength when he clearly won both motos to take first blood in the MX2 season.
Racing on the heavy wet sand of the Valkenswaard circuit in the Netherlands, the South African rider underlined the form he has shown in pre-season racing by twice coming home in front of title holder Antonio Cairoli. He registered fastest lap time in both of the 17-lap races. Rattray has thus made a stunning comeback to international racing after having been denied a shot at the MX2 world championship title last year when he had to undergo reconstructive knee surgery in the closing stages of the season.
 
Red Number Plate for Tyla
The South African said he felt great about taking possession of the coveted red number plate as championship leader, even if it was only the first race of the season. "I did very good work with my trainer during the winter and when I was home in South Africa I worked a lot on my physical and mental strength. I feel I am on the right track but it's only the first GP so there's a long way to go."
 
Great expectations
KTM factory team boss Stefan Everts said it had been a great weekend. "I have seen how well Tyla has been doing in the last month and how strong and fast he is. I have great expectations for him and I want him to do such a good job in all the races."
 
Searle fourth
It was a disappointing day for teammate Tommy Searle who finished fourth overall. In the first heat he was out in front but crashed and lost the rhythm then he did not recover from a bad start and failed to make the podium. "It was tough today and the (wet, sandy) track was not easy. Now we go to some hard tracks and they are my favourite."
 
Goncalves fifth
Rui Goncalves, the third factory rider of the Red Bull KTM team finished fifth despite a crash in race two which left him with a sore leg. "I was in the top five so now I have to do a good job in Spain for me and the team," he said. Everts said the Portuguese rider, new to the team in 2008 needed to relax and not put too much pressure on himself.
 
KTM supported teams
Riders from the new KTM supported teams also made an impression. Shaun Simpson (KTM UK) was fourth and ninth in the two motos and Jeremy van Horebeek was seventh in the first race and GP Juniors Team Champ and teammate Joel Roelants was tenth in both motos.
 
Results Race1
POS.  RIDER  MANUFACT.  NAT.
   
1  4 Tyla Rattray  KTM  South Africa
2  222 Antonio Cairoli  Yamaha  Italy
3  2 Tommy Searle  KTM  United Kingdom
4  80 Erik Eggens  Suzuki  Netherlands
5  24 Shaun Simpson  KTM  United Kingdom
6  10 Rui Goncalves  KTM  Portugal

Results Race2
POS.  RIDER  MANUFACT.  NAT.
   
1  4 Tyla Rattray  KTM  South Africa
2  222 Antonio Cairoli  Yamaha  Italy
3  80 Erik Eggens  Suzuki  Netherlands
4  10 Rui Goncalves  KTM  Portugal
5  2 Tommy Searle  KTM  United Kingdom
6  10 Rui Goncalves  KTM  Portugal

Standings
POS.  RIDER  MANUFACT.  NAT.  POINTS
    
1  4 Tyla Rattray  KTM  South Africa  50
2  222 Antonio Cairoli  Yamaha  Italy  44
3  80 Erik Eggens  Suzuki  Netherlands  38
4  2 Tommy Searle  KTM  United Kingdom  36
5  10 Rui Goncalves  KTM  Portugal  33