MX VALENCE FERTILE GROUND FOR KTM MX2 RIDERS

Other KTM rides to make an impression in the MX2 category were French rider Jordi Tixier who finished just off the podium in fourth place, Joel Roelants of Belgium in seventh and Kevin Fors of Belgium who was tenth giving riders on bikes from KTM’s Mattighofen, Austria, factory four of the top 10 places in the final shakeout. Best KTM rider in the MX1 class was Frenchman Loic Larrieu at seventh.

Also present for what was an excellent opening competition practice was Red Bull Teka KTM Factory Racing’s Steffi Laier, who was only one of two women riders to tackle the competition along with a field of competitive men. The other members of the Red Bull Teka KTM Factory Racing Team will launch their 2011 campaign at the first round of the Italian National Championship next weekend.

Steffi, reigning WMX World Champion, overcame problems with arm pump during Saturday’s free practice and had her best ride was in Race 1 where she was 5th at the start and finished 10th on a muddy track. Steffi was consistently putting in lap times 1.5 seconds faster than the only other woman on the track, her arch rival Livia Lancelot of France. Steffi was classified 20th in MX2 at the end of the day.

The hard pack track that was dry for Saturday’s practice was more of a challenge on Sunday after steady overnight rain that continued until midday on Sunday leaving the surface slick and only offering the riders a selected choice of lines.

MX 2 Results

1. Arnaud Tonus, Switzerland, Yamaha

2. Nicolas Aubin, France, KTM

3. Karro, Let, Honda

4. Jordi Tixier, France, KTM

5. Elliot Banks, Britain, Honda

7. Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM

10. Kevin Fors, Belgium, KTM

15. Pascal Rauchenecker, Austria, KTM