KALLIO CLAIMS SECOND PLACE
22 August 2006 - KTM-Sportmotorcycles AG

RR WCH 125 Round 12: Czech Grand Prix/Brno Race

Mika Kallio from Finland on Sunday rode a hard fought race from the green light to the checkered flag to cross the line in second place after a finish that had spectators holding their breath as the Finnish racer and championship leader Bautista crossed the line in tandem. Kallio, who started on pole, went into the first corner in second place and played a cat and mouse game with the leading group of five riders through the majority of the race. It was in the final stages that he and the Spaniard Bautista broke from the pack with Kallio happy to settle in the leader’s slipstream to wait his chance for the break. Kallio took the lead seconds before the finish, but Bautista seized the opportunity one more time and the Finn had to be satisfied with second place by a distance of merely half a wheel.

KTM’s Julian Simon was not so lucky with his comeback after an injury pause and the summer break in the racing schedule. The Spaniard, who crashed in Barcelona, was making his comeback to racing slid out of contention in the early stages of the race and ended up in the gravel.

Red Bull KTM Junior Stefan Bradl, who has benefited from the mid-season break and is mentally strong going into the race, starting at 14th on the grid and was delighted to make his first world championship points, finishing at 12th place. The second member of the junior lineup, Austrian Michael Ranseder started at 24th grid position but got hemmed into the pack in the early stages of the race and finished in 18th position.

The race was held in fine weather on the Brno circuit that traces over the rolling hills of the local landscape. The circuit offers plenty of challenges for the riders with an abundance of left and right corners.

Mika Kallio # 36 Red Bull KTM GP 125 — 2nd place
“It was good to be second and I enjoyed the race but I always want to win. After I got past Passini I tried to close the gap and was pushing all the time. I was watching to see how many laps were left and if there was enough time to catch Bautista. I knew there was one place where I could overtake him in the last lap. I got past him but he fought back and I couldn’t hold the line. I really like the competitive racing and my bike is even better after the summer break.”

Julian Simon # 60 Red Bull KTM GP 125 — did not finish
“I was planning to push forward and improve on my start position but then in the fourth lap I pushed a bit too hard and slid out over the front wheel. I’m a bit disappointed but after the eight weeks break the comeback was OK even if I’m not 100% fit.”

Stefan Bradl # 17 Red Bull KTM Junior Team - 12th place
”It was great to make my first points and this has been a brutally good week for me here in Brno. I got away ok and got into a two way battle with Sandro Cortese that went on for the whole race distance. Then in the last lap we both slid coming out of the Omega and Sandro ended up in front. I hit the brakes really hard but I couldn’t get in front.”

Michael Ranseder # 9 Red Bull KTM Junior Team— 18th place
”I had a bad start and I had problems in the first laps when I got hemmed in and couldn’t break clear. Then I got into a group where I settled in at second place and towards the end I was in front. I had some problems with my hip during the race but I feel good after the break. I still lack a little confidence and I’m not yet 100% fit.”

Stefan Pierer CEO KTM
“It was a terrific race and a great battle for the win. I am very satisfied with the result. There’s only a small chance left that we can take the championship title, but that will all be decided at the end in Valencia.”

Circuit: Dry / 26°C
Air Temperature: 23°C

Photo courtesy of KTM

www.ktm.at

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