KTM's Barragan Dominates MX1 in Benelux GP

KTM factory rider Jonathan Barragan of Team Silver Action rounded up a near perfect weekend for the Austrian manufacturer at the Benelux GP on Sunday when he took overall victory in the MX1 class following a double KTM victory in MX2.

The Spanish rider, who has been hampered by a deficit in training in the early part of the season due to a pre-season injury that is now no longer a problem. "I am strong and fit again and I can feel the difference," he said. So could his opponents on Sunday. Barragan made an amazing recovery in race one to come from the back of the pack to snatch third place then followed it up with a convincing win in the second moto.

 

Focused and concentrated

"I had a difficult crash in the first race but I managed to get back in the race. I had a good speed and good lines and because I stayed focused I was able to fight back from the back of the pack," Jonathan said. "Race two was much easier. I had a better start and was able to fight with (Steve) Ramon and (David) Philippaerts. I was able to stay focused and concentrated right up to the end. This is my first GP win of the season and I hope it will be the first of many."

 

Barragan said he is now looking forward to the hard pack track in Portugal and Spain and especially his home circuit at Bellpuig in Spain. "That is home for me. I know the circuit and I feel very confident. I'll have a lot of supporters and lots of motivation!"

 

Difficult race day for Max Nagl

But what started as a great weekend for Red Bull KTM Racing's Max Nagl, when he won the MX1 qualifying race Saturday to start on pole for Sunday's MX1 GP, fortune turned against him on race day, proving that one can never underestimate the fickle nature of racing.

 

"I was really pumped, I had a good bike and I was very motivated," the German rider said. Nagl failed to get his characteristic blitz start in the first race and was battling with Barragan and Josh Coppins in the first corner when he was hit by a third rider and dropped back a lot of places. "After that I just wasn't riding well and I also felt very tired. Then I was fourth at the start of race two but I had a bad crash when I slipped the bike into neutral instead of into gear just before a big bump and it spat me off. Then I was dead last. First I pushed hard from the back to try to get back in the race and I was putting in some good lap times but suddenly I was completely tired and I don't know why," he said.

 

Results

1. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM (3-1)

2. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha

3. Tanel Leok, Estonia, Yamaha

4. Kevin Strijbos, Belgium, Honda

5. David Philippaerts, Italy, Yamaha

Other KTM

12. Gert Krestinov, Estonia, KTM

14. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM

 

Standings after Round Four

1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha, 143

2. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM 128

3. Ken de Dyker, Belgium, Suzuki, 124

4. David Philippaerts, Italy, Yamaha, 118

5. Josh Coppins, New Zealand, 112

Other KTM

8. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM, 87

19. Gert Krestinov, Estonia, KTM 22