Nagl fourth, Cairoli ninth in opening MX1 GP in Bulgaria

The race on the Bulgarian circuit, where it is notoriously difficult to
pass, was not without problems for the KTM factory riders. Max Nagl was
unlucky to be hit in the goggles by a flying stone that forced the lens
out and let the dirt in, obstructing his vision in the second moto,
which he said was like "riding without any goggles". He also said he
has to work on his starts but overall was happy with his performance on
the KTM 350 SX-F this weekend. (Max has been riding the 450 SX-F in
previous seasons).
 
Max Nagl:  "I am a bit disappointed that I missed the
podium by just one point but for the championship the points are okay.
I am happy that it's going so good with the 350 and I think it's going
to get even better when I've had more race practice. Next race is in
the sand at Valkenswaard. That's where I live and I like the track.
Last year I didn't do too bad there so I think it's going to be a good
GP."   

 
Tony Cairoli said he was disappointed about the result of the
first races of the season but given that he had twisted his knee in
race one was relieved that it seemed to be nothing serious and that he
was able to race in the second moto.

 
Tony Cairoli: "The start is very important here in
Bulgaria because it is difficult to pass on this track. It was not so
bad for me yesterday but today I had a very bad start in the first
moto. I tried to pass as many as possible and I was up to about fifth
then I hit my knee trying to pass Goncalves. It's the same knee that I
broke so I was quite worried. It was hurting a lot and I gave up a bit
and finished seventh. Then I made an appointment to see the doctor and
it started to feel better so I was able to race again in the second
moto. My start was better and I almost got the holeshot, I think I was
third in the first corner. Then Philippaerts crashed in front of me and
I couldn't avoid him and found I was back at 20 or 21 in the field.  I
scrambled back to tenth and tried to move up to ninth in the last lap.
But I didn't manage it."

 
KTM Motorsports boss Pit Beirer said at the end of the
day that he was happy that everything was going well. "The bikes are
good, the team is working great and all the riders are healthy so the
basis is there for a good season. I am sure that we all expected a
little more from MX1 but we also know the competition is very tough. We
make no excuses but we know our weak points, the guys struggled a bit
with the starts and made some mistakes but I am sure we will be ready
to show better form in Valkenswaard."

 
Team boss Stefan Everts: "We expect Tony to be winning
of course. Yesterday he had a good qualifying race and a good speed.
But today he hurt his knee and I'm happy he could finish the race and
take some points. For sure he will come back strong.  Max surprised me
with how well he has made the change to the 350. He's been riding a 450
for many years and you cannot underestimate that. He did really well
and he was riding very aggressively. Maybe he is not yet in the best
shape but he showed some good things today.

  

Final results for MX1 GP (stands also as championship standings)

1, Clement Desalle, Belgium, points 22-25—47

2, Steven Frossard, France, Yamaha, 25-22--47

3, Jonathan Barragan, Kawasaki, 15-20--35

4, Max Nagl, Germans, KTM, 20-15--35

5, Rui Goncalves, Portugal, Honda, 13-16—29

9, Tony Cairoli, Italy, KTM, 14-11—25