KTM Dominates South African GP
E365> MotoX - Wednesday July 23 2008
E365 -- KTM rider Jonathan Barragan and Red Bull KTM factory rider Max Nagl snatched the top two overall places in the MX1 GP of South Africa in Nelspruit over the weekend.
Barragan took his second consecutive MX1 GP win of the season, while Nagl narrowly edged out Steve Ramon for second place.
Nagl led the first race until the last 10 minutes when he was overtaken by Suzuki's Steve Ramon and several other riders and had to settle for fourth. He led again in the second race before being challenged for the lead in the final stages by Barragan.
"I'm very happy with the overall victory," Barragan said. "The track was fast and there were good lines. I already had a good feeling yesterday and I knew I had a good speed. The track was easy to ride and I hope to be able to continue this good success that I have had in Sweden and here when we race in Lommel." The Spaniard celebrated his birthday on Saturday and said the victory was the best present he could give himself.
Nagl was pretty happy from a team perspective with his second place.
"We did a pretty good job today," he said after the race. "I got the holeshot in both heats but it was a bit dusty in the second heat and the visibility was bad when the sun started to go down. No we will now train in sand to get ready for the races in Lommel."
Ramon fell sick on the day and it definitely affected his performances, though he still managed a third overall and managed to lessen the gap between himself and David Philippaerts in the championship chase with just five rounds remaining.
"The start in moto one was okay," said Ramon. "I wasn't so good up the straight but I was able to turn tight in turn one and come out of it in second. Nagl was really fast in the beginning but it was a long moto and I was content to wait for the right time to take the lead. I had some good lines and my riding was going good, I could see Philippaerts was coming and so I put some pressure on Nagl until he made a mistake and I was able to pass him. From there I was able to control the race from the front - I was really happy to win.
"Between races I was sick, I didn't feel well in my stomach and I knew the second race was going to be difficult because of this. The race wasn't easy because I was feeling bad while I was riding and my riding suffered because of this. It was a bad race for me and it was a pity that I could only finish eighth after my win in the first moto because I could have quite easily won the overall.
"My riding is good at the moment and my speed is good but Philippaerts is very consistent and it's not that easy to close the gap at the moment. Of course I want the red plate but it's going to be tough right up until the end of the season. At the moment I'm feeling good, my bike is good and the team are working very hard for me - I'm feeling confident and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season."
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