KALLIO TAKES VICTORY AT MOTEGI
24 September 2006 - KTM-Sportmotorcycles AG

RR WCH 125 15th Round: Grand Prix of Japan / Motegi

KTM riders Mika Kallio and Julian Simon launched a glorious day for his “Orange” team here in Japan when the two KTM 125cc riders dominated the podium with a victory and a valuable third place. Mika Kallio rode a brilliant and very clever race, set a lap record and crossed the line in great style for a well deserved victory. His Spanish colleague Julian Simon added even more glory by coming third to make it a near perfect race for KTM. Julian’s second podium, after his first victory at Donington in 2005.

Red Bull KTM Juniors Michael Ranseder and Blake Leigh-Smith, replacement rider for the injured Stefan Bradl, completed their first ever races at the Motegi circuit and the Australian Leigh-Smith finished 22nd while the Austrian came in at 23rd.

The 16-year old Bradl from Zahling/Germany was not with the team. He fractured his right shinbone at the Malaysian Grand Prix and doctors operated on his leg on September 12. It is presently considered unlikely that he will be able to return to racing in time for the final Grand Prix of the season in Valencia, Spain.

Mika Kallio # 36 Red Bull KTM GP 125 – Winner
“This weekend went unbelievably well for us. My engine was super fast and we also improved the chassis right from first practice and through all the qualifying training. Yesterday I tried out a slightly softer tyre, but we decided on a harder one for the race today. This allowed me to brake harder in the corners. I stayed behind Bautista and watched out for possibilities to pass him. There were only two places where I knew I could overtake him. I tried at the first and he closed the door, but I managed to take him at the second place. I know I can only take second in the championship now, but I am going to try to win the rounds in Estoril and Valencia as well.”

Julian Simon # 60 Red Bull KTM GP 125 – 3rd Place
“This is my best result for this season and I’m very happy to finish on the podium today. I was close to being on the podium in both of the last two races in Malaysia and Phillip Island and today it was possible to do it. My bike was great and I felt good over the entire weekend. We had improved the chassis step by step and I fought hard against the other riders. They maybe had an advantage over me in the straight, but my bike was working much better in the corners and I could catch them. I’m very happy with today’s result and once again, with the work of my team during the weekend.”

Michael Ranseder # 9 Red Bull KTM Junior Team– 23rd Place
“What can I say about the 23rd place. At the moment I am not sure why, but things just didn’t go well for me today. I couldn’t find my rhythm and just couldn’t come to terms with things.''

Blake Leigh-Smith # 67 Red Bull KTM Junior Team – 22nd Place
“I finished 22nd today, that was alright. I let the clutch go a bit too early and I missed the start and I also went wide at the first corner. I believe that put me right at the back and I had to fight my way up. It was a fight over 21 laps from the beginning right to the end. If I had not been stuck behind one of the guys in front for quite a while, I think I could have even followed Espargaro. I finally finished second in the group I was riding with. I had a very good weekend and I made fewer mistakes than last time at Phillip Island.”

Circuit: Dry / 36°C
Air Temperature: 26°C
Humidity: 17%

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