Red Bull KTM factory rider Mika Kallio scored his best result since moving up from the 125 cc category at the beginning of the year, battling his way through to a great fifth place in Sunday’s 250 cc race at the Grand Prix of China. After a problematic first day of practice on Friday and subsequent improvements on Saturday, race day confirmed that the team had made progress in the right direction with bike set-ups as they continue to gather both data and experience.
Kallio stormed into the lead from his front row grid position, but had to give way to slightly faster Honda and Aprilia riders at the end of the second lap. From lap five on, he maintained a strong pace and tenaciously held onto his sixth position. The Finn then out-braked Spaniard Hector Barbera on the last lap and slipped past him for his fifth place finish. He finished the 21-lap race in 44 minutes 27.343, some 10 seconds off the winning pace.
The Finn said he had enjoyed leading the pack in the opening stages of the race.
“My start was very good again and I managed to slip into the lead, which felt great and lasted for almost two laps. But then, Dovizioso and the fastest Aprilia riders started to overtake, mainly on the straights, and it was very difficult for me to follow and keep up,” he said.
Kallio’s lap times started to improve as the race progressed and his fuel tank got lighter although his rear tyre started to go in the closing stages. Nevertheless, he clearly enjoyed his best performance so far this season. “I got the same good feeling and sensation again that I had in final practice. So I took my chances and managed to outbrake Hector Barberá at the last braking point, which felt good. This result is more than we expected for this weekend, and makes me very confident for the future!“
Kallio’s factory teammate Hiroshi Aoyama was not far behind Kallio, securing ninth place.
“This was a good race for us,” KTM’s “Hero” commented. “Of course ninth is not my dream position, but considering the past few races and our practice performance, it is definitely a step in the right direction and something to build on. My level of confidence grew from lap to lap, and despite a little mistake in mid-race when I ran wide and went alongside the track for a moment, I was able to constantly improve on my speeds. My fastest lap was in the last lap of the race and that is always a good sign!”
The next round of the world road racing championships is in Le Mans, France on May 20.
Results:
1. Jorge Lorenzo, Spain, Aprilia, 44’17.095
2. Alvaro Bautista, Spain, Aprilia, 44’20.999
3. Andrea Dovizioso, Italy, Honda, 44’22.126
4. Alex De Angelis, San Moreno, Aprilia, 44’23.655
5. Mika Kallio, Finland, KTM, 44’27.343
9. Hiroshi Aoyama, Japan, KTM 44’49.990
Images by Kirn F.
Related News
