KTM Red Bull’s MX1 Factory rider David Philippaerts scored his first podium in MX1 on Sunday finishing third overall in Aguela, Portugal. The podium place was an excellent confidence building exercise for the Italian rider who moved up from MX2 this season. Philippaerts was third and fifth in the day’s two races for his overall third podium, his best performance so far this season. “It was quite a tough week for us with a photo shooting and training, and racing today in the hot conditions,” Philippaerts said. “I still have to work on my starts but I can feel myself getting more confident and the hard work with Stefan (Everts, KTM Team Boss) and on the bike has paid off.
“This is David’s first MX1 podium and for sure this will be a good boost for him going into the next races. I know he is going to do really well from now on,” Everts said at the end of the race day.
Philippaerts’ MX1 team-mate Jonathan Barragan is still hindered by a not yet healed shoulder injury and finish fifteenth overall in Aguela. “I’m still not able to give 100% on the bike and I can’t train as hard as I would like to,” the Spanish rider said. He was well placed in the first race when another rider took him out in the closing stages. He then crashed going into the second corner after the start in the second race and although was able to fight back he was unable to close the gap.
Everts said that Barragan’s injured shoulder had somewhat sapped his confidence. “He’s struggling with himself. It’s a setback but he must now work hard to overcome it,” Everts commented.
Rounding off the weekend’s performances, Everts said that in the three rounds in the world championship series already held all of the four KTM Red Bull Factory riders had been on the podium. “Now we just have to get it together and have them all up there together.”
Not so lucky was KTM-supported privateer Max Nagl of Germany who has been doing particularly well so far this season. Nagl crashed in the first race and broke his collarbone. Arrangements have been made for him to fly to Belgium for surgery on Monday.
After Sunday’s two races Jonathan Barragan is lying third in the world championship standings with 89 points from three Grands Prix and David Philippaerts has moved up to eighth place with 62 points.
Results:1. Kevin Strijbos, Belgium, Suzuki
2. Joshua Coppins, New Zealand, Yamaha
3. David Philippaerts, Italy, KTM
4. Manuel Priem, Belgium, TM
5. Sebastian Pourcel, France, Kawasaki
15. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM
Tommy Searle Second In MX2 Motocross Grand Prix of Portugal Tommy Searle, the talented teenage member of the KTM Red Bull Factory team on Sunday showed his true potential finishing second overall in the MX2 Grand Prix of Portugal.
The young Briton was third and sixth in the two races for his second podium spot. Teammate Tyla Rattray of South Africa was not so fortunate. Fifth after the first race, he then experienced technical problems and finished at the back of the pack in the second for an overall thirteenth in Ageuda.
“I have been working hard with the team and this is the first payback,” said the delighted Searle. He had been suffering from a slight stomach virus on Saturday night and did not feel 100% fit for Sunday. “I just went out to try to do my best. I had a crash in the second heat but my results were enough to finish second overall.” He said he had been working hard together with team boss Stefan Everts to try to improve his riding skills and although conditions at the Portuguese track were tough and the weather hot, he was well satisfied with his performance.”
“Tommy put in a good performance and I am confident that he will do even better in the next races,” Everts, himself a 10-times world champion commented after the race. “He has improved a lot and he is definitely going to make it to the top of the podium.
After his technical problems Tyler Rattray preferred to look ahead to the next race. He has been training starts with Everts and was satisfied that he got away well in the second race on Sunday. “I am not worried,” he said. “I will continue to work with Stefan and I know that the soft track in Mantova suits me. I expect to have a good race there.”
Sunday’s results put Tyla Rattray in third position in the world championship standings, while the young Tommy Searle moves up to fifth place
Results:1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha
2. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM
3. Pascal Leuret, France, Honda
4. Anthony Boissiere, France, Kawasaki
5. Gareth Swanwpoel, South Africa, Kawasaki
13. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM
Breugelmans Tops In Spain For MX3 Motocross World ChampionshipsSven Breugelmans KTM factory rider for the KTM JM MX3 Racing team was in top form on Sunday scoring 1-1 in races at Talavera in Spain for overall victory in the season’s third round.
Team manager Jacky Martens said everything had come together for the Belgian rider who had show excellent form, sweeping to consecutive victory in both of the two races.
Breugelmans performance was a further improvement on his second overall result last weekend in Italy in the second round of the competition, accruing him more valuable championship points.
Photographs by Archer R.
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