Sword and Schiffer top KTM rider list in MX2 GP in Istanbul

Stephen Sword (Red Bull KTM UK) and Marcus Schiffer (KTM Sarholz, Germany) emerged as the top KTM riders on Sunday riding on a new circuit for the MX2 GP in Istanbul with Sword finishing in sixth place and Schiffer in tenth.

Injury problems cast a shadow over the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team this weekend with Shaun Simpson courageously riding through the pain of ligament damage to his shoulder. Simpson finished third in Saturday's qualifying and was up with the front runners in both motos in the first half of the races on Sunday, but he slipped back in the pack as the pain of his injury sapped his strength as the races progressed. The tough Scot still managed to make 15 championship points leaving him seventh in the championship standings after three of 15 rounds.

 

Painful ride for injured Simpson

"I noticed this morning that my shoulder was quite sore. I took a painkiller for the race but I've been using my right arm such a lot to compensate for my injured shoulder that it really sapped my upper body strength," Shaun said. "It was easy to make a good start and be out in the front for the early part of the races but when I had to fight through the pack it was very tough. I am happy now that we have a break of two weeks before the next race so I'll try to get my shoulder injury sorted and I'll do some training on sand ready for Valkenswaard. I like riding on the sand and I am really looking forward to it after three hard pack tracks."

 

Shaun's teammate Rui Goncalves of Portugal managed to salvage seven championship points in the second moto after a DNF in race one.

 

Results

1. Zach Osborne, USA, Yamaha, 45 points

2. Gautier Paulin, France, Kawasaki, 39

3. Marvin Musquin, France, Honda, 38

4. Khounsith Vongsana, France, Honda, 31

5. Manuel Monni, Italy, Yamaha, 30

Other KTM

6. Stephen Sword, Britain, KTM, 28

10. Marcus Schiffer, Germany, KTM, 18

13. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM, 15

15. Valentin Teillet, France, KTM, 14

16. Jake Nicholas, Britain, KTM, 11

19. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM, 7

22. Arnaud Tonus, Switzerland, KTM, 5

 

Standings after Round 3

1. Gautier Paulin, France, Kawasaki, 108 points

2. Marvin Musquin, France, Honda, 103

3. Davide Guameri, Italy, Yamaha, 78

4. Xavier Boog, France, 73

5. Zach Osborne, USA, Yamaha, 68

Other KTM

7. Shaun Simpson, Britain, KTM, 52

10. Marcus Schiffer, Germany, KTM, 42

11. Valentin Teillet, France, KTM, 37

13. Stephen Sword, Britain, KTM, 32

14. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM, 31

15. Joel Roelants, Belgium, 30

17. Arnaud Tonus, Switzerland, KTM, 30

19. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM, 22

20. Jake Nicholas, Britain, KTM, 22