Red Bull KTM duo Tommy Searle and Tyla Rattray took the first two places in Qualifying Race One in Nelspruit on Saturday ahead of the MX2 GP of South Africa.
The team's third KTM factory rider Rui Goncalves was fifth in the second race won by arch rival Antonio Cairoli.
Riders battled in extremely hot conditions on the track in the north east of South Africa where Rattray on Sunday will go into his home GP with the red number plate as championship leader. The fight for the title in MX2 has developed into a war of attrition between Searle, Rattray and Cairoli and one that the two KTM riders intend to win.
What the KTM riders said after Qualifying
Tommy Searle:
"This is a good funtrack and it was an easy qualifying for me. I took the holeshot and I was able to stay in the lead quite easily. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's race and I think its going to be a good one."
Tyla Rattray:
"It was ok for me today. I was behind Tommy but then I lost the front wheel and crashed. I picked up the bike and got back in the race but I was back in the last five. The best I could do was to fight my way back to second place. Tomorrow will be better. The track isn't sandy but it's soft and in perfect condition and there are good lines."
Rui Goncalves:
"Today was not so good for me. I have the flu and don't feel that good at the moment but I don't want to make excuses and tomorrow I will go out and do my best. Today I made a mistake and went too wide in the first corner but I am going to think positive for tomorrow. It's a good track and I like it."
Qualifying Race One:
1. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM
2. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, KTM
3. Steven Sword, Britain, Kawasaki
4. Nicolas Aubin, France, Yamaha
5. Davide Guarneri, Italy, Yamaha
Qualifying Race Two:
1. Antonio Cairoli, Tialy, Yamaha
2. Steven Frossard, France, Kawasaki
3. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM
4. Marvin Musquin, France, Honda
5. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM
