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What the Red Bull KTM MX1 & MX2 riders are saying in Bulgaria

In Offroad

10 maggio 2008

In Sevlievo, Bulgaria for Sunday's MX1 and MX2 Grand Prix, the Red Bull KTM factory riders put in a good day's training and practice on Saturday and all go into Sunday's races confident and optimistic.

MX1
Max Nagler (MX1) was second behind Sebastien Pourcel in Saturday's Time Practice, with Jonathan Barragan of the KTM-supported Team Silver Action in third place.

Max Nagl: "I like this track very much. The last time I rode here was back in 2002 because I was injured in the other years. Since then they have changed part of the track but I like it all. It's very different from Portugal. It is fast and there are a lot of nice jumps. If you are confident you can go fast. I was much better in the afternoon than in the morning practice. Stefan (team boss Stefan Everts) gave me some hints about the lines. I listened to him, it worked better for me and I was second. Tomorrow I hope to finish in the top five and I want to take the holeshot."

Results MX1 Time Practice
1. Sebastien Pourcel, France, Kawasaki
2. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM
3. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM
4. Steve Ramon, Belgium Suzuki
5. Billy Mackenzie, Britain, Honda

Other KTM
13. Kornel Nemeth, Hungary KTM
14. Marcus Schiffer, Germany, KTM
23. James Noble, Britain, KTM

Qualifying Race 1 MX2
Tommy Searle came in behind Antonio Cairoli in second place in MX2 Qualifying Race One but gave the reigning champion plenty of competition. He too is confident for Sunday.

Tommy Searle: "I like the circuit very much. It feels good to race here. I had a good battle and lots of fun riding against Cairoli. I was in front for about three quarters of the race and then he got past me. But I finished second and I gave him a good fight. I feel I'm going to be able to step it up in the race tomorrow.

Results MX2 Qualifying Race One
1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha
2. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM
3. Manuel Monni, Italy, Yamaha
4. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM
5. Anthony Boissiere, France, KTM

Other KTM
7. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM
13. Joel Roelants, Belgium , KTM
Qualifying Race 2 MX2
Teammate Tyla Rattray triumphed in the MX2 Qualifying Race 2 while the fourth KTM factory rider, Rui Goncalves was a solid fourth.

Tyla Rattray: "It was a good race and I took the holeshot. There are some very fast places on the circuit. It was a bit wet at the beginning but it is drying out so it will be a very tight race tomorrow. This is a good track and I like it a lot."

Rui Goncalves: "I started well and I was in third place. I was putting in some good lap times and had a good rhythm. Then I slid over and crashed. I dropped back to fourth place and I wasn't able to finish higher than that. It was a good race for me and much better than the free practice this morning. I like the track and I am optimistic. Tomorrow I hope to get out there and open the throttle."

Results MX2 Qualifying Race 2
1. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM
2. Stephen Sword, Britain, Kawasaki
3. Paulin Gautier, France, Kawasaki
4. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM
5. Xavier Boog, France, Suzuki

Other KTM
11. Jeremy Tarroux, France, KTM

Program Sunday
MX2 GP Race One 12:10
MX1 GP Race One: 13:10
MX2 GP Race Two: 15:03
MX1 GP Race Two: 15:03
(Local time in Bulgaria CET + one hour)

Weather Sunday: High of 16º Celsius; likelihood of some showers