Red Bull KTM factory rider Tommy Searle stopped the hearts of all spectators of the second MX2 moto in Sevielo, Bulgaria on Sunday when he swept past fellow KTM rider Shaun Simpson in the last seconds of the race to take the top podium spot in the GP.
On a day when rain fell to soften the hard track and reshuffle the cards just before the second MX2 moto, Red Bull KTM's Tyla Rattray made a good comeback from a tussle with Toni Cairoli in the second moto to finish overall second. Shaun Simpson was on the podium for the first time in third place to complete a complete clean sweep of the podium for KTM.
"I am very happy because this is my first victory of the season and my second career GP win," Tommy said. "I really enjoyed the battle with Shaun. I knew that Tyla and Cairoli were quite far back but I did not want to take any risks. The track was quite tricky as I wanted to be sure to try to pass Shaun at just the right time." The last minute by the young British title contender was certainly the highlight of the race weekend at this circuit in central Bulgaria.
Tyla Rattray, now again in front in the championship standings and owner of the red number place said he regretted the incident with Toni Cairoli, the current MX2 champion, saying that although it was part of racing he was sorry it had happened. "I always like to ride clean but I also always race for the win." After the tangle Tyla managed to work his way back up through the pack on a circuit and in conditions where it was difficult to make up ground. After his third place in the first moto he finished fifth in the second, collecting enough points for the second podium place on the day.
Shaun Simpson, riding for Team KTM UK, one of the new KTM-supported teams was naturally delighted to be up with Searle. He led the race right from the beginning and said he didn't expect to be on the podium this early in his career in GP racing. "This is a very new experience for me," he said. "This is a track that suits me and I already knew in race one that I was fast. I couldn't believe I was in front of Tommy in the second moto. It was fun and now I know I am getting faster I have good hopes for the rest of the season and I want to improve in every GP.
Rui Goncalves, the third Red Bull KTM factory rider had difficulty with pain in his arms in the first moto, finishing in tenth place. The second heat proved more successful after some adjustments to the bike's setup. "I had a lot of problems with my arms in the first heat. It was very distracting and hard to ride. It was easier in the second with a different setup but I did not have a very good start. I was also behind Cairoli and Tyla during their incident. I went on to finish seventh and of course I never give up." The Portuguese Red Bull KTM rider said he is looking forward to next week's ride in Mantova, Italy, where he had a good race in the pre-season Starcross event. "It's now my aim to finish every Gp and to pick up as many points as I can," he said.
The Bulgarian GP was very successful for KTM with six of the top eight riders on their machines.
Results MX2 Grand Prix:
1. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM
2. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM
3. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM
4. Xavier Boog, France, Suzuki
5. Nicolas Aubin, France, Yamaha
6. Anthony Boissere, France, KTM
7. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha
8. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM
Championship Standings after Grand Prix of Bulgaria:
1. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM, 157 points (regains leader's red number plate)
2. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha, 153
3. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM, 149
4. Nicolas Aubin, France, Yamaha, 106
5. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM, 106
Other KTM:
8. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM, 92
10. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM, 82
13. Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM, 54
14. Anthony Boissiere, France, KTM, 50
17. Joel Tarroux, France, KTM, 38
Image Credit: Archer R.
