With the season starting this weekend on the sandy circuit of Valkenswaard, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team presented its line up at their hospitality in the paddock, right next to the glittering Red Bull energy station.
This year’s team will be managed by ten time Motocross World Champion Stefan Everts, at his second year in the KTM factory squad; Everts will cooperate very closely with Off Road Director and former GP winner Pit Beirer.
After a warm welcome, Beirer highlighted the manufacturer’s involvement in the sport; courtesy of the Everts’ family and the many KTM subsidiaries, KTM is following directly young talents all over Europe with the help of four time World Champion Harry Everts. The goal is introducing these young talents to professional Motocross racing and possibly insert them in the factory team, under Stefan Everts’ guide.
The current factory team’s situation sees one rider in the MX1 class, German newcomer Max Nagl, who is adapting well both to his new squad and status. The MX2 squad has an impressive three rider line up with the goal of dethroning reigning Champion Antonio Cairoli. Runner up in the world last year, Tommy Searle is back after an intense winter of training and looks forward to showing his improved speed. Tyla Rattray is also back from a significant winter break, which the South African used to make the most of his fitness.
Rui Goncalves will complete the three man band, with the Portuguese being at his first season with the Austrian factory team. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing line up, headed by Pit Beirer and Stefan Everts “We worked a lot in the winter to be ready to fight for the MX2 Title right from Valkenswaard. We always see thrills and spills during the year but we really wanted to be ready to challenge Tony,” announced Off Road Director Pit Beirer.
“In MX1 it is a little bit different, Max is young and inexperienced, our target is having him in the top eighth by the end of the season. He might bring us also some podium finishes. This is part of our long term plan as we want to be competitive also in MX1. This year we have still some work in progress but it does not mean we are not pushing more than 100%.”
“I start to feel more comfortable with my position inside the team, I am getting more and more into it but it will take me a few more years to do my job better and better,” said Team Manager Stefan Everts. “Though I try my best all the time to provide the team with better organisation. A lot of things are done in Austria by Pit and Josef Sperl, our chief technician, while I take care of what the riders are doing in Belgium. I still miss racing a little bit and it will take me some more time to get rid of this.”
