Rattray rues Nations misfortune at Donington Park
2008-09-29
2008 MX2 World Champion Tyla Rattray helped South Africa to 15th position overall at the 62nd Motocross of Nations at an overcast Donington Park circuit in the UK, watched by a mammoth 60,000 crowd. The factory KTM rider was luckless at the venue of the 2007 British Grand Prix and location of the annual MotoGP British round.
A wet Sunday morning contributed to a soft, tacky and very rough layout in the infield section of the road racing course, creating a technical terrain. Rattray was looking to show his new-found credentials as world champion against favourites and eventual winners the USA.
Steering his works KTM in kit and colours especially designed for the event, the 23 year old was the leading MX2 rider in the first race with 8th position (mixed against the bigger 450s) but a mistake and crash saw him drop back to 24th after losing a lot of time to restart his machine.
Sadly his second moto would fare little better. After running slightly wide and picking up green fencing in his rear wheel (needing to enter the pits to tear out the material) Rattray again had another off-track excursion. He was passed by leader and American champion Ryan Villopoto and then kept pace with the Kawasaki rider until the end of the moto.
“I'm unhappy with the results from today.said Rattray. “but even with all the bad luck I was riding pretty good en I had a good speed. When Villopoto lapped me in the second race, I tried to follow him which worked out pretty well. I rather prefered to be in charge for the win but at least I got a good feeling on my riding.”
‘Ratters’, only the second South African World Champion this century and the third in the last 25 years, will head home to his native Durban in the next few weeks to enjoy a holiday before beginning preparations for his entry into the MX1 class for 2009.
MX2 Overall Results
1. Ryan Villopoto, USA, Kawasaki
2. Tommy Searle, GBR, KTM
3. Manuel Monni, ITA, Yamaha
4. Brett Metcalfe, AUS, Suzuki
5. Jeremy Van Horebeek, BEL, KTM
6. Carlos Campano, ESP, Yamaha
Final 62nd Motocross of Nations ranking
1. USA
2. France
3. Belgium
4. Great Britain
5. Italy
15. South Africa
