Onde 2000 KTM rider Raffaele de Rosa on Saturday stormed to his first ever pole position in Grand Prix racing on the beautiful and challenging Mugello circuit, traditional testing ground and territory of the Aprilia factory, Team
De Rosa succeeded in leaving reigning World Champion Gabor Talmacsi and Frenchman Mike di Meglio, winner of the Le Mans Grand Prix two weeks ago, in his wake. The 21-year-old from Naples was racing for a top qualifying spot for Sunday's GP in his home country and enjoying the benefit of a new chassis for his KTM FRR 125, which made all the difference on the fast and sweeping bends of the Tuscan track.
Just one second behind De Rosas's stunning best time, ISPA KTM Aran rider Tomoyoshi Koyama qualified as the second best KTM rider in tenth position, with the steadily improving Red Bull KTM rider Randy Krummenacher following as third KTM 125 rider in ninetheenth position.
Raffaele de Rosa (Onde 2000 KTM 125 - Pole Position in 1:58.302)
"Esteve Rabat was the first KTM 125 rider to try the new chassis at the last race in Le Mans, and for my home Grand Prix here in Mugello, I was the lucky one to get the second unit that the racing department was able to complete. It seems to be more rigid and transmits a much better feeling for the bike and the tyres, and I immediately gained a lot of additional confidence, especially under brakes and going into the turns. On the last lap, I was able to get into Koyama's slipstream, and managed to do a great lap time. To celebrate my first ever pole position here at my home Grand Prix in Mugello is just fantastic, and I want to thank all of my team and all the guys at KTM who have done a great job. My thoughts are also with KTM's Technical Manager Mario Galeotti who has been ill and can't be here, but who is getting better every day and will be back with us soon!
Randy Krummenacher (Red Bull KTM 125 - nineteenth place in 2:00.341)
"I am 1.1 seconds faster than last year, so overall things aren't too bad even though we still have a lot of work left to do for tomorrow. I still have a problem at the corner entries and lose some time. It would have even been possible to get a faster time, but somebody got in my way at the chicane on my last lap and slowed me down. I am only on the fifth row of the grid now, but if can manage to gain ten positions at the start like I did in Le Mans two weeks ago, I should be okay!"
Harald Bartol (Technical Director)
"De Rosa's lap time proves that we are going the right direction with the development of our bike. Our plan is now to supply all of our 125 teams with at least one new chassis in time for the British Grand Prix.
Images by Kirn F.
