Red Bull KTM’s Tyla Rattray Crowned MX2 World Champion

Faenza, Italy - The entire Red Bull KTM Team burst into wild celebration at the conclusion of the final MX2 moto when Tyla Rattray earned the MX2 World Champion aboard his KTM 250 SX-F.

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The final GP in Italy was a superb finale for the entire KTM team. Not only 1-2 in the overall championship but also 1-2-3 in the GP itself. Tommy Searle rode a near perfect second race. Rattray, still high on adrenaline from sealing the title in moto one, cruised to fourth for second overall while young Joel Roelants of the KTM-supported GP Junior Team camp finished third after leading the final race for the first half. The young Belgian rider was delighted with his first podium and said he was happy to have the chance to prove he could ride on surfaces other than the sandy tracks in Belgium.

Stefan Pierer, CEO of KTM Sportmotorcycle AG was at the finish line to congratulate the freshly crowned World Champion from South Africa stating, “We have believed in Tyla from the beginning and are elated that he is crowned champion!” Rattray has come close to taking the title before but has been dogged by injuries, including one that took him out of contention in the final stages of the season that required major knee construction surgery.

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Multi-World Champion and Red Bull KTM Team Manager Stefan Everts was also delighted, “It is a different emotion than winning yourself. I am very happy for the whole team. It was a tough fight but we had a strong team and this is going to give Tyla a lot of confidence going into MX1 next season.” Everts said he was making it his goal for the team to go for both the MX1 and MX2 titles in 2009.

“I was a bit stressed in the first moto but I was more relaxed in the second,” remarked the new World Champion. “For me this is the best day and a dream come true.” He promised to be back strong and competitive for his first year riding for Red Bull KTM in MX1 in 2009.

Searle secured second place in the World Championship after finishing 1-1 in the MX2 class. His strong finish in the MX2 World Championship chase is confirmation that he will be a front runner when he moves over to the U.S. to fight for the 2009 Motocross Lites Championship title. “I did my best today and although there was a big gap I never gave up hope of winning the title. I have learned a lot in the last year. My best GP was in France but the second half of the season was quite difficult. I made a few mistakes but that is part of learning and I will take that experience with me when I go to race in the states.”