MX2
Red Bull KTM Factory rider Tyla Rattray finished first in both Motos and won his twelfth carer GP.The South African lead home the MX2 defending champion Antonio Cairoli of Yamaha Red Bull De Carli.
Cairoli felt the lack of bike time as he had been racing on the Yamaha 450 for a good part of the winter and for the Italian championship, this to prepare for 2009 when he will compete in the MX1class.
The young Tommy Searle of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ended fourth but unfortunately crashed in both Motos.
Moto1
The Belgian Van Horebeek took the holeshot and lead for the some laps, first Searle then Rattray moved up to the lead. Searle crashed and ended third, while Rattray rode to the victory followed by Cairoli, who lost too much time coming up from the fourth position.
Moto 2
Showing an impressive speed the rookie Joel Roelants lead the opening four laps but Rattray moved past him at lap five. With Rattray running away from the rest of the field, Roelants was passed by Cairoli then crashed while he was third. Cairoli chipped away at the gap from Rattray to arrive very close to his rival at the final lap; but the Italian was not able to make his way through and had to settle for a wise second behind winner Rattray.
Rattray:
"I did very good work with my trainer during the winter and when I was home in South Africa I worked a lot on my physical and mental strength. I feel I am on the right track but it's only the first GP so there's a long way to go."
Cairoli:
"I am happy with this result because we have been doing a lot of testing and putting effort towards MX1 during the pre-season. I still need a bit more time on my 250, particularly in the sand. At the beginning of the first moto I was not so sharp and Tyla got away. He is really fast on this kind of track. I just tried to be as fast as I could without making mistakes. Overall I am feeling good with the bike though and I know much better is to come, especially because I like the next few tracks in Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria and Mantova."
Moto 1
1. Tyla Rattray, KTM, RSA,
2. Antonio Cairoli, Yamaha, ITA,
3. Tommy Searle, KTM, GBR,
4. Erik Eggens, Suzuki, NED,
5. Shaun Simpson, KTM, GBR,
6. Rui Goncalves, KTM, POR,
7. Jeremy Van Horebeek, KTM, BEL,
8. Xavier Boog, Suzuki, FRA,
9. Nicolas Aubin, Yamaha, FRA,
Moto 2
1. Tyla Rattray, KTM, RSA,
2. Antonio Cairoli, Yamaha, ITA,
3. Erik Eggens, Suzuki, NED,
4. Rui Goncalves, KTM, POR,
5. Tommy Searle, KTM, GBR,
6. Nicolas Aubin, Yamaha, FRA,
7. Stephen Sword, Kawasaki, GBR,
8. Xavier Boog, Suzuki, FRA,
9. Shaun Simpson, KTM, GBR,
Rider Standings
Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Points
1. Tyla Rattray, KTM, RSA, 50
2. Antonio Cairoli, Yamaha, ITA, 44
3. Erik Eggens, Suzuki, NED, 38
4. Tommy Searle, KTM, GBR, 36
5. Rui Goncalves, KTM, POR, 33
6. Shaun Simpson, KTM, GBR, 28
7. Nicolas Aubin, Yamaha, FRA, 27
8. Xavier Boog, Suzuki, FRA, 26
9. Joel Roelants, KTM, BEL, 22