POLE FOR KALLIO
19 August 2006 - KTM-Sportmotorcycles AG

Czech Grand Prix/Brno 2nd Qualifying

Mika Kallio from Finland on Saturday secured the pole position for Sunday’s 12th world championship race, the Czech Grand Prix to give himself a positive start to the beginning of the second half of the current racing season. This time, team colleague Julian Simon is also racing. The 19-year old Spaniard is happy to be back on his KTM after a break of eight weeks following an injury sustained in Barcelona and with eighth place on the grid shows that he is ready to attack.
Red Bull KTM Junior Stefan Bradl has benefited from the mid-season break and is mentally strong going into the race, starting at 14th on the grid. The second member of the Junior lineup, Austrian Michael Ranseder is also back after a five-week break through injury and starts further back at 24th on the grid.

Mika Kallio # 36 Red Bull KTM GP 125 – Pole Position– 2’07.874
“It was difficult to get in a free lap during the first half of practice. After we changed tyres we made some adjustments to the suspension, then I gave it everything and it was good enough to take the pole today. The summer break was very good for me and I was able to relax and recharge my batteries. My team used the time well and prepared perfect material for me. For tomorrow I need a perfect start and a little bit of luck.''

Julian Simon # 60 Red Bull KTM GP 125 – 8th Position – 2’08.784
“All in all I feel really good to be back on my KTM. I am not yet 100% fit, but I’m well on the way. During training I mostly concentrated on the set up of the bike. We found some good solutions for that. Now I have to decide what will be the right choice of tyres and I hope to have a good race tomorrow.”

Stefan Bradl # 17 Red Bull KTM Junior Team – 14th Position – 2’09.281
“I used the break well to get clear in my head and it seems that it really worked. It was rather chaotic at the beginning of qualifying and in the second half everyone was trying to get best possible slipstream. Nevertheless I could still race my fastest time alone. That gives me confidence for tomorrow. We made some technical adjustments after the free practice today and that worked well. I hope to get a good start tomorrow and maybe make my first points for the season.

Michael Ranseder # 9 Red Bull KTM Junior Team– 24th Position – 2’10.357
“The second qualifying was rather well tempered. I wanted to ride with Mika Kallio after the tyres were changed, but there were others that had the same idea. Even though there were some one-on-one battles I was able to improve my times. I feel pretty good after my injury, also in my head, and I don’t have any mental blocks. The only thing is that my hips are a bit stiff in the mornings. That won’t hinder me tomorrow. I have to see that I get a good start and that I can fight my way up towards the front of the pack.

Circuit: Dry / 36°C
Air Temperature: 24°C

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