Barragan the Top MX1 KTM Rider in IstanbulKTM factory rider Jonathan Barragan of Team Silver Action topped the KTM MX1 line-up this weekend with two solid finishes in the two motos for the MX1 GP of Turkey on a brand new circuit near Istanbul.
Barragan was seventh in the first moto on the hard pack surface of the brand new track some 40 minutes from Istanbul and in view of the sea, then improved to finish sixth in the second moto.
"I didn't get such a good start in the first heat and I didn't find good lines," the Spaniard commented after the GP. "But it was better for me in the second heat. I had much better lines and I was up in fourth place in the second half of the race. Then I had a small crash and finished up in sixth place, which wasn't so bad considering the crash." Jonathan will now return to Spain to prepare for the next GP in Valkenswaard in the Netherlands where riders will tackle a sandy course after three hard pack tracks in the first three rounds.
Max Nagl of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team had a tough weekend with some health problems. Max has been taking pain killing injections for a hand injury but he suffered some stomach problems on Sunday, which were much worse during the second moto. "I was not so bad in the first moto. I had a good start, I was in third place then I dropped back to sixth and managed to stay there. But I started to feel really bad between the two motos and it was tough to hold on and finish the second heat." Nagl finished in thirteenth place for overall ninth and now returns to Belgium where he has time to rest up and prepare for the next GP on April 25-26 in Valkenswaard.
Results 1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha, 50 points
2. Steve Ramon, Belgium, Suzuki, 42
3. David Philippaerts, Italy, Yamaha, 40
4. Ken de Dycker, Belgium, Suzuki, 34
5. Kevin Strijbos, Belgium, Honda, 34
Other KTM 6. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM, 29
9. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM, 23 Standings after Round 3 1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha, 98 points
2. Ken de Dycker, Belgium, Suzuki, 94
3. David Philippaerts, Italy, Yamaha, 88
4. Josh Coppins, New Zealand, 85
5. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM, 83
Other KTM
8. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM, 73Sword and Schiffer Top KTM Rider List in MX2 GP in IstanbulStephen Sword (Red Bull KTM UK) and Marcus Schiffer (KTM Sarholz, Germany) emerged as the top KTM riders on Sunday riding on a new circuit for the MX2 GP in Istanbul with Sword finishing in sixth place and Schiffer in tenth.
Injury problems cast a shadow over the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team this weekend with Shaun Simpson courageously riding through the pain of ligament damage to his shoulder. Simpson finished third in Saturday's qualifying and was up with the front runners in both motos in the first half of the races on Sunday, but he slipped back in the pack as the pain of his injury sapped his strength as the races progressed. The tough Scot still managed to make 15 championship points leaving him seventh in the championship standings after three of 15 rounds.
Painful ride for injured Simpson "I noticed this morning that my shoulder was quite sore. I took a painkiller for the race but I've been using my right arm such a lot to compensate for my injured shoulder that it really sapped my upper body strength," Shaun said. "It was easy to make a good start and be out in the front for the early part of the races but when I had to fight through the pack it was very tough. I am happy now that we have a break of two weeks before the next race so I'll try to get my shoulder injury sorted and I'll do some training on sand ready for Valkenswaard. I like riding on the sand and I am really looking forward to it after three hard pack tracks."
Shaun's teammate Rui Goncalves of Portugal managed to salvage seven championship points in the second moto after a DNF in race one.
Results 1. Zach Osborne, USA, Yamaha, 45 points
2. Gautier Paulin, France, Kawasaki, 39
3. Marvin Musquin, France, Honda, 38
4. Khounsith Vongsana, France, Honda, 31
5. Manuel Monni, Italy, Yamaha, 30
Other KTM 6. Stephen Sword, Britain, KTM, 28
10. Marcus Schiffer, Germany, KTM, 18
13. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM, 15
15. Valentin Teillet, France, KTM, 14
16. Jake Nicholas, Britain, KTM, 11
19. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM, 7
22. Arnaud Tonus, Switzerland, KTM, 5
Standings after Round 3 1. Gautier Paulin, France, Kawasaki, 108 points
2. Marvin Musquin, France, Honda, 103
3. Davide Guameri, Italy, Yamaha, 78
4. Xavier Boog, France, 73
5. Zach Osborne, USA, Yamaha, 68
Other KTM 7. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM, 52
10. Marcus Schiffer, Germany, KTM, 42
11. Valentin Teillet, France, KTM, 37
13. Stephen Sword, Britain, KTM, 32
14. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM, 31
15. Joel Roelants, Belgium, 30
17. Arnaud Tonus, Switzerland, KTM, 30
19. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM, 22
20. Jake Nicholas, Britain, KTM, 22
