Red Bull KTM factory rider Mika Kallio gave the Austrian manufacturer and the entire "Orange" family reason to celebrate on Sunday in the 250cc Grand Prix of Czech Republic when he rocketed to third place in the closing stages of the race.
The Finn's third place gave the KTM family and fans a taste of the invigorating flavor of orange in the best possible way. The atmosphere was enhanced by a record attendance of more than 141,500 spectators on race day and a massive 245,000 for the entire weekend at the traditional Czech racing circuit.
Red Bull KTM teammate Hiroshi Aoyama was sixth and also fought out a tough battle with Spanish rider Alvaro Bautista in the final stages of the race.
Kallio had an eventful race, playing a cat and mouse game with the group of front riders. He was able to stick with them through most of the race, drifting from third to fifth places and return, but after the tenth lap said he started to lose grip. He delivered some heart-stopping action in the closing stages when he engaged in a tough battle with Alex de Angeles. The two riders touched and Kallio came off the better with the San Marino rider sliding off into the gravel before re-entering the race. Commenting on the incident after the race, the Finn said he was not sure what exactly had happened and would have to look at the video to check it out. He said he was sorry it had occurred but remained philosophical. "This kind of thing happens sometimes in racing. Of course I am sorry it happened but it was not my fault," he said.
Aoyama conceded that although the team had ended up with a better result on race day than in the qualifying sessions He still expressed a little disappointment in his sixth place, saying it was important to improve in the next races. The Japanese had also had an eventful last phase of the race. "I managed to pass Bautista at the last corner," he said. "But then he overtook me again. I think I definitely could have caught him if I had some more time."
Results 250 CCM - Jorge Lorenzo, Spain, Aprilia, 41:04.954
- Andrea Dovizioso, Italy, Honda, 41:12.662
- Mika Kallio, Finland, KTM, 41:16.061
- Hector Barbara, Spain, 41:18.376
- Alvaro Bautista, Spain, Aprilia, 41:18.943
- Hiroshi Aoyama, Japan, KTM, 41:18.943
Images - Kirn F.
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