KTM's MX1 factory riders double deliver in the sands of Valkenswaard

The
result, following on from a 1-2 in the MX2 class GP was proof of the
depth of talent in the Orange factory team and underlined the qualities
of the KTM 350 SX-F machine, ridden this year by both Cairoli and Nagl. 
 
The
performance was even more spectacular for Cairoli who was riding
injured after hurting his knee in the first GP at Sevlievo, Bulgaria,
and while he was clearly in pain and discomfort as he climbed onto the
highest step of the GP podium, he never let it deter him from another
triumphant ride. 
 
The
two riders split the results of the day's ride - Tony won the first
moto and Max took second place. Then Nagl of Germany, also buoyed by
the support of his new Belgian based fan club, whose members flocked
over the border to support him, put in a great ride to take the second
moto with his Italian team colleague finishing second.  While Cairoli
won the MX1 title in 2010 on the newly released 350 SX-F machine, this
is Nagl's first year on the new bike. In 2010 he rode the KTM 450 SX-F.
The result moves Nagl up to second place in the championship standings,
just five points behind the leader Steven Frossard with Cairoli in
overall fourth with a 13-point gap to the leader. 
 
It
was the fifth time that Tony had won at Valkenswaard and the third in a
row in MX1. He paid tribute to the enthusiasm of the Dutch fans and the
way they support him. "I am happy that this is the third time I have
won in mX1 here but I did struggle a bit today. Normally this track is
a lot of fun to ride but today I tried to be more careful with my
injured knee and I tried not to put it on the ground so much. Today we
could also close the gap in the championship points and I hope it's not
too long before we get the red plate back again," Cairoli said. 
 
Max
Nagl said it had been a good weekend for him, including a great
qualifying when he took the pole position but he had not been so
confident in the first moto. "Then in the second heat I changed my
strategy. I was leading after about 15 minutes so I was able to find my
rhythm and find some nice lines on the track. That makes it easier," he
said. 
 
Team boss
Stefan Everts expressed satisfaction with the performance of the two
MX1 riders saying it had been a tough and physically hard GP. "I was
mostly impressed with the comeback of Antonio. We knew he had a knee
injury but he did better than we expected. He came back to win in the
first moto after not having a very good start. Also in the first Moto
Max was third and showing a good speed. Then it was the opposite in the
second race when Max put in a nice performance and fought really hard
to be in front," he said.   
 
In
other related news, it was also announced at Valkenswaard that Cairoli
has signed to stay with the Red Bull Teka KTM Factory Racing Team for
another two years. 
 
The
MXGP at Valkenswaard attracted a huge crowd of followers on the Easter
holiday weekend and the KTM riders clearly enjoyed chalking up yet
another Orange victory on the traditional sandy track. 
   
MX1 Round 2 
1, Tony Cairoli, Italy, KTM 25-22—47 points 
2, Max Nagl, Germany, KTM 20-25--45 
3, David Philippaerts, Italy, Yamaha, 18-20—38 
4, Steven Frossard, France, Yamaha, 22-16--38 
5, Rui Goncalves, Portugal, Honda, 15-18—33 
 
Standings after two rounds 
1, Steven Frossard, France, 85 points 
2, Max Nagl, Germany, KTM 80 
3, Clement Desalle, France, 78 
4, Tony Cairoli, Italy, KTM, 72 
5, David Philippaerts, Italy, 63