KTM rider Jonathan Barragan of Team Silver Action and Red Bull KTM factory rider Max Nagl rounded off a near perfect day for KTM at Nelstpruit South Africa snatching the top two overall places in the MX1 GP.
The two riders onboard the KTM machines duplicated the MX2 GP results making the trip to the Southern Hemisphere well worthwhile for the Austrian manufacturer.
KTMs triumph in South African races
Barragan of Spain scored a 3-1 result while Nagl netted 4-2. The German factory rider led the first race until the last 10 minutes when he was overtaken by Steve Ramon and several other riders and had to settle for fourth. Determined to make good his promise to be on the podium he led again in the second race before he was challenged for the lead in the final stages by fellow KTM rider Barragan. For the Spaniard it was his second victory after Sweden in the last round.
GP victory a birthday present for Barragan
"I'm very happy with the overall victory," Barragan said. "The track was fast and there were good lines. I already had a good feeling yesterday and I knew I had a good speed. The track was easy to ride and I hope to be able to continue this good success that I have had in Sweden and here when we race in Lommel." The Spaniard celebrated his birthday on Saturday and said the victory was the best present he could give himself.
Nagl on podium
"We did a pretty good job today," Nagl said after the race. "I got the holeshot in both heats but it was a bit dusty in the second heat and the visibility was bad when the sun started to go down. No we will now train in sand to get ready for the races in Lommel."
"Max was in good form the whole weekend," said KTM team boss Stefan Everts. "We already saw on Saturday that he was very fast. He was a bit nervous in the first heat but this is still a learning year for him. He got the holeshot in the second heat but in the end, Jonathan was pushing really hard."
Nelspruit, in the north east corner of South Africa offered a soft, but not sandy surface and a track that offered a whole range of challenges for the riders set in the picturesque Crocodile River Valley, a venue and atmosphere very different to the next GP in Lommel, Belgium.
Overall MX1 GP results
1. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM
2. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM
3. Steve Ramon, Belgium, Suzuki
4. David Philippaerts, Italy, Yamaha
5. Sebastien Pourcel, France, Kawasaki
Other KTM
11 Markus Schiffer, Germany, KTM
16. James Noble, Britain, KTM
Championship standings
1. David Philippaerts, Italy, 339
2. Steve Ramon, Belgium, 328
3. Josh Coppins, New Zealand, 316
4. Ken de Dycker, Belgium, 296
5. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM, 284
7. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM, 253
