Combined press release:Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Max Nagl said he was confident ahead of Sunday's British GP after a solid fourth place in Saturday's qualifying at the Mallory Park circuit.
"I like the track here and I have had a good feeling right from the first practice," Max said. "I didn't really get a good start in today's qualifying but it was my fault. I had the wrong fork on my bike and it was a bit too high for me but we'll change that for tomorrow." Max sat behind Josh Coppins for some time but rode a little too wide in an overtaking manoeuvre. He went off the track and got tangled in the green netting fence. "The netting was all around the wheel but I didn't lose the back brake and I still managed to finish," he added. Another plus for Max was that for the first time in his career, he recorded the fastest lap time for the day. This positive result was reflected in his goal for race day. "My goal is to be on the podium," he said.
Mud bath for Barragan Spain's Jonathan Barragan, the second KTM factory rider onboard for Team Silver Action did have a good start but crashed in the second lap. He fought his way back from tenth to sixth but ended in the mud, the consequences of heavy track watering, in a second crash. Covered in mud and riding without a front fender, he then had to discard his goggles and try to maintain his position. "I want a good start here tomorrow," he said. "I like this track and this is where I won my first GP last year. I feel very good about tomorrow's race."
Results MX1 Qualifying
1. David Philippaerts, Italy, Yamaha, 25:19.118
2. Mickael Pichon, France, Honda, 25:23.724
3. Josh Coppins, New Zealand, Yamaha, 25:34.248
4. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM, 25:39.505 5. Gregory Aranda, France, Kawasaki, 25:56.015
Other KTM
11. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM, 26:18.890 MX2
KTM's Musquin on pole for MX2 British GPMarvin Musquin, the latest recruit to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing led the field in the MX2 qualifying race on Saturday at Britain's Mallory Park to secure his first pole while riding for the Orange team.
"I feel very good on my bike and I like this track. It's a bit different from last year but I still like it a lot," the French rider said. "I got the holeshot today and I was very focussed on getting a good result. I'll try my best in tomorrow's race and I have some good positive thoughts about it."
Rui looking for a good start and sunshine Red Bull KTM factory rider Rui Goncalves, winner of two GPs and second in the last GP in Spain's Bellpuig had mixed fortunes in the qualifying race but remains positive for tomorrow's British GP. Rui said he didn't get the best start and found himself at the back of the field after he crashed in the third corner. "I didn't give up and I managed to fight my way back to sixteenth place. Tomorrow I need a good start, a nice sunny day and I will ride a good race," he promised. Rui's wish for fine weather looks sure to be fulfilled as the Mallory Park circuit was bathed in sunshine on Saturday and the forecast is for a fine race day.
Simpson back in the paddock The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team also celebrated the return to the paddock of injured teammate Shaun Simpson. While still rehabilitating from a training accident one month ago, Shaun was given the green light by his doctors to at least be present at his home GP to meet the team and sign autographs. While his wrist is now free of the cast, he is still on crutches but has started to work on maintaining his fitness with short sessions on a stationary training cycle.
"I am recovering well and I saw my doctor last week and he is happy with my rate of recovery. The bone is healing well, there's no infection and I should be able to have the two screws removed in about two weeks," Shaun said. He admitted it was tough to be at his home GP as a spectator but said he was determined to concentrate on making a complete recovery. It was not yet known when he would be able to return to the track. "I am not going to hurry it," he said. "I want to be 100% fit when I do come back.
Also returning from the injured list was young French rider Valentin Teillet, the European Champion from 2008 who now riders for KTM factory Junior Racing. Valentin celebrated his return with a confident and comfortable thirteenth place in Saturday's MX2 qualifying.
Results MX2 Qualifying Race
1. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM, 25:14.266 2. Davide Guarneri, Italy, Yamaha, 25:19.283
3. Steven Frossard, France, Kawasaki, 25:23.910
4. Manuel Monni, Italy, Yamaha, 25:24.814
5. Gautier Paulin, France, Kawasaki, 25:28.625
Other KTM
6. Anthony Boissiere, France, KTM 25:44.261
12. Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM 25:58.384
13. Valentin Teillet, France, KTM 26:01.596
14. Arnaud Tonus, Switzerland, KTM, 26:03.395
16. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM, 26:08.744
19. Stephen Sword, Britain, KTM, 26:18.066
20. Jake Nichols, Britain, KTM, 26:20.228
21. Petr Smitka, Czech Republic, KTM, 26:21.440
26. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM, 26:38.649
