KTM vence etapa da Catalunha do Mundial de Motocross

Jonathan Barragan snatches cliff hanger victory in MX1 GP of Catalunya
Racing in his national colours, KTM's Spanish factory rider Jonathan Barragan of Team Silver Action wrapped up a thrilling MX1 GP of Catalunya to become the first ever Spanish rider to win his home GP.
Barragan's victory was a glorious finale to a great weekend for KTM, where riders of the orange racing machines "Made in Austria" won all three GPs -the MX1, MX2 and the third round of the Women's World Championship here at Bellpuig in the north eastern corner of Spain.

Barragan the first Spanish winner of a Spanish MX GP
It was a heroic ride by the Spanish rider, who was urged on by a euphoric local crowd. He has been troubled with some ligament strain in his shoulder in recent races and had to again ride with it heavily strapped. "It was a great feeling to win here at home and it is a big honour to be the first Spanish winner of a Spanish MX GP, Jonathan said, adding that it was a big help to know the track well and to have such support from his home crowd. Reflecting on his two races he added that the first moto had been quite easy because many of the other riders were involved in crashes so he was able to get out in front a have a good lead. "That gave me a lot of confidence he said. "I did have a crash in the second race and some guys passed me but by then my shoulder was starting to give me some problems. It was also very hot today, but that didn't really bother me because I am quite used to this kind of weather."

Mixed fortunes for Nagl
While Barragan celebrated his overall victory, Max Nagl of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team was clearly dejected for having relinquished what looked like a certain comfortable victory in the second moto to boost his points tally. Max said he had a good start in the first race but then two riders crashed in front of him and he had to restart from back at eighteenth place. "I still had a good race and my lap times were up with the leaders so I still have to be satisfied with that first moto," Max said. "Then I got away really well in the second race and I led the whole time. I had a 13 second lead going into the final two laps then a lapped rider crashed in front of me and that spoilt my chances of winning. Of course by then I was also tired and it was very hot. I can still be satisfied with my second place in the second moto," he concluded. In the last races, Max has also had some problems with a hand injury.

Everts and Beirer both satisfied after KTM's winning weekend
Factory team boss Stefan Everts said it was great for Jonathan to win his home GP and urged Max to put disappointment behind him. "You must not give up," he told the German rider. "We can still make the top three in the championship."
KTM's Offroad Director Pit Beirer also said the team had been doing a great job after a string of bad luck in the season's opening races. "We almost touched bottom and now we are on top," Beirer said after a weekend was the dominant winner in all three categories. "We have a great team and you are all doing a great job," he said. "We are now on top and we know it is possible for us to win all three titles."

Riders now have a two week break before the competition resumes on May 30-31 at Mallory Park Circuit in Britain.

Results MX1 GP
1. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM (1-5)
2. David Philippaerts, Italy, Yamaha
3. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, Yamaha
4. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM
5. Clement Desalle, Honda, Belgium

Standings
1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, 231
2. Jonathan Barragan, Spain, KTM, 195
3. Ken de Dycker, Belgium, 183
4. Josh Coppins, New Zealand, 175
5. David Philippaerts, Italy, 174
Other KTM
8. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM, 155