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MAGIC MX2 WEEKEND
IN DONINGTON FOR SEARLE |
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26.08.2007 |
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Magic MX2 winning weekend for Tommy Searle in
Donington |
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Tommy Searle, the 18-year-old Briton for the
KTM Red Bull MX2 Racing Team made his dream come
true on Sunday just a few kilometers from his
home town when he clinched his maiden GP victory
at Donington Park. |
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On
a day when clear blue skies heralded a fine day for
competition at the famous British racing circuit,
Searle, who was second in the first moto, made sure of
victory in the second for overall top podium place. He
went through the checkered flag almost eight seconds
ahead of second placed Jeremy Tarroux and clocked his
fastest lap in lap 15 of the 18-lap race.
The victory vaults Tommy into second place in the
season's standings behind Antonio Cairoli who already
took the title last weekend in Moneyglass, Northern
Ireland. With just one Grand Prix to go in the
Netherlands and several of Searle's toughest rivals,
including his teammate Tyla Rattray, out with injuries,
he now looks certain to finish in second place at the
close of the season.
"It was a perfect day for me. I was not so worried after
coming second in the first moto because I put all my
efforts into the second heat. "I was struggling today
with the lines but I tried to do my best," Searle said.
"It was great to win here in Donington in front of my
family and friends and it gave me an opportunity to give
something back to my fans and all the people who have
supported me."
Team boss Stefan Everts was also delighted with the win
of his youngest charge. "I am very happy for Tommy," he
said. "I know the feeling of winning before your home
crowd. This has been a very important win today and it
will give Tommy a lot of confidence, but it is also good
for the whole team who all worked hard to make it
possible."
KTM supported rider Jeremy Tarroux was second on the
day, adding some more pleasure to the team of the
Austrian manufacturer. It was the first career podium
for the French rider who was third in the first moto and
second in the second heat. "I tried to stick with Tommy
in the second heat and at one point I even thought I
might be able to pass him, but them he pulled away from
me," Tarroux said, also thanking his team and KTM for
their support.
In what was the best day of his career so far, Searle
was also named as the MX2 rider for the British team to
compete in the Motocross of Nations.
It was the first time MX Grand Prix races had been held
at Donington Park, at the very heartland of British
motor sports. When asked what he planned for Donington
next year, Tommy replied: "I want to win both motos -
and the championship!"
Results
1. Tommy Searle, Britain, KTM
2. Jeremy Tarroux, France, KTM
3. Nicolas Aubin, France, Yamaha
4. Matteo Bonini, Italy, Yamaha
5. Dennis Verbriggen, Belgium, Yamaha
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Tommy enjoys his moment of glory |
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Tommy Searle thrills the home crowd |
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Searle flying high in Donington |
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26.08.2007 |
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Unlucky day for Philippaerts and Barragan at
Donington Park |
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While the KTM Red Bull Racing Team was able
to celebrate in MX2 at Donington, good fortune
was not riding with the team's two factory
riders David Philippaerts and Jonathan Barragan
on Sunday. |
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Barragan finished eighth in the final standings after
struggling to find his rhythm in the day's two races. He
also had problems with an injury from last weekend's
racing, where he lacerated his hand. The healing process
was given a jolt when he crashed on it at Donington Park
on Sunday.
"My hand was quite bad today and for some reason I just
didn't have a good day. I felt tired and I was just not
able to play with my bike the way I would have liked
to," the Spanish rider said. In the first heat Barragan
did not get away well. He did have a good start in the
second, but crashed in the third lap and was not able to
close the gap. He finished the day with 23 championship
points for his eighth place finish.
Luck was also not with his Italian teammate Philippaerts
who finished down the order in the first heat due to
some technical difficulties. He put in a valiant attempt
in the second heat to keep up with the top riders, again
without success. He had not been able to find the right
setup for the bike and had to be content with seventh
for an overall thirteenth on the day.
Looking forward to the final race of the season next
weekend in Lierop, (Netherlands) both Barragan and
Philippaerts said it was a difficult circuit, but one
they both liked to ride. Barragan said he likes the
sandy track and Philippaerts said he wanted to round off
the season with KTM with a good result, adding "I am
good on sand!"
Results
1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha
2. Kevin Strijbos, Belgium, Suzuki
3. Kevin de Dyker, Belgium, Honda
4. Steve Ramon, Belgium, Suzuki
5. Mike Brown, USA, Honda
8. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM
13. David Philippaerts, Italy, KTM
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Barragan gives it his all in Donington Park
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Philippaerts in action |
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