GRAND PRIX OF PORTUGAL / ESTORIL RACE RR WCH 125 16TH ROUND
17 October 2006 - KTM-Sportmotorcycles AG

Mika Kallio in photo finish for third place

The Red Bull KTM team also had reason to celebrate in the 125 cc class of the Grand Prix of Portugal. Mika Kallio of Finland came in third in Estoril to pick up the 10th podium place for the season. Teammate Julian Simon came in at fifth place at the end of a hard fought race, missing a place on the podium by just six hundredths of a second. Red Bull ADAC KTM Junior Randy Krummenacher started from grid position 27 and finished in 16th place.
Red Bull KTM Junior Michael Ranseder from Austria was lying in 19th position when he ran off the course for the first time, then he slipped again in lap 10 and the race was over for him. Australian Blake Leigh-Smith was involved in some tough disputes in the early part of the race and finished 27th at the end of the 23 lap race.

Mika Kallio # 36 Red Bull KTM GP 125 – 3rd place
“We didn’t do too well in qualifying and 11th position was the worse grid I have had for a long time, therefore I’m quiet happy with the third place today. I had a really good start and was fourth going into the first corner and coming back fifth after the first lap. I was losing rear grip in the middle of the race and I was aware that Faubel was able to pass me. I tried to make it really hard for him but finally he got me by 1.5 hundredths of a second right on the finish line. My engine was very fast today but we could not completely sort out our suspension problems. Third here at Estoril was the best possible result today and I’m happy about it.''

Julian Simon # 60 Red Bull KTM GP 125 – 5th place
“After winning the start I could not fight back after Bautista passed me and ran away. We were involved in some hard fights right through the race and we overtook each other many times. Sometimes I was in second place and then suddenly I was in sixth. I am only half happy with the result as I was expecting to be on the podium today.''

Randy Krummenacher #54 Red Bull ADAC KTM Juniors – 16th place
“My start was really bad and I lost contact with the group in front in the rush at the start. Then for some time I had some problems getting past Hernandez and after that I really had to give it everything to leave De Rosa behind. I was not really happy with my results on Friday and Saturday, but I am quite satisfied about my performance today. I really had to give it everything. That was good for me and it helps me to go forward. I have learnt a lot this weekend and I’m looking forward to my second wild card in Valencia in two weeks time.''

Blake Leigh-Smith # 67 Red Bull KTM Junior Team – 27th Place
“I got away well at the start but already in the third corner I got hit by two bikes and had to go wide off the track. In the next corner again, I had to shut the throttle as the other guys were just getting in my way. There I lost many places. Also I started sliding very quickly and the feeling on the bike was not so comfortable. I’m not satisfied with my race today at all.”

Michael Ranseder # 9 Red Bull KTM Junior Team– crash
“I got away well from the start and made up a few places and was lying at 19th. After four laps I braked and ended up in the gravel. I got back in the race at 26th and began to fight my way forward again. Then in the 10th lap the front wheel slipped and it was all over for me. Overall the weekend was not too bad. I felt good with the bike and I put in some good times. I could also improve my race times by a few tenths of a second.''

Circuit: Dry / 27°C
Air Temperature: 21°C
Humidity: 55%

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