MXlarge interview - Tyla Rattray
As mentioned on the weekend South Africa’s leading Motocross World Championship racer Tyla Rattray will stay with his factory Red Bull KTM team for another season and attempt the 2008 MX2 series as a works rider for the renowned Austrian firm for the fifth year in succession. After contemplating numerous offers for his services both in Europe and across the Atlantic, the 21 year old from Durban and an eleven time Grand Prix winner announced at a press conference during the Grand Prix Citta di Faenza in Italy this weekend his intention to remain with the potent KTM set-up.
Rattray will again have 18 year old Briton Tommy Searle as his team-mate and will steer the SX250F four-stroke in the 15 round ’08 campaign.
As mentioned on the weekend South Africa’s leading Motocross World Championship racer Tyla Rattray will stay with his factory Red Bull KTM team for another season and attempt the 2008 MX2 series as a works rider for the renowned Austrian firm for the fifth year in succession. After contemplating numerous offers for his services both in Europe and across the Atlantic, the 21 year old from Durban and an eleven time Grand Prix winner announced at a press conference during the Grand Prix Citta di Faenza in Italy this weekend his intention to remain with the potent KTM set-up.
Rattray will again have 18 year old Briton Tommy Searle as his team-mate and will steer the SX250F four-stroke in the 15 round ’08 campaign.
Q: How long did it take you to reach a decision about your future?
TR: It took me quite a while because I had some good offers from other teams to move up to MX1 and also some others to stay in MX2 but in the end I am happy at KTM. All the guys there work hard and when you are happy somewhere you don’t really need to change.
Q: There were many rumours that you would step-up to the 450cc machines in MX1…
TR: I feel that we have a good package this year even if it has been very hard to beat Antonio Cairoli. I am still young and have more years yet in Grand Prix racing. I felt that I did not need to rush into MX1 and I am still finding the 250 exciting and a pleasure to ride.
TR: I feel that we have a good package this year even if it has been very hard to beat Antonio Cairoli. I am still young and have more years yet in Grand Prix racing. I felt that I did not need to rush into MX1 and I am still finding the 250 exciting and a pleasure to ride.
Q: Do you feel that the option of moving to America and attempting Supercross is diminishing each year you get older?
TR: Yeah, probably, but when I go to America I want to go with ‘something’. A World Championship does a lot of talking and makes negotiating easier. There are goals I want to achieve here and for sure they will help me onto the next stage in my career.
TR: Yeah, probably, but when I go to America I want to go with ‘something’. A World Championship does a lot of talking and makes negotiating easier. There are goals I want to achieve here and for sure they will help me onto the next stage in my career.
Q: Cairoli will stay in MX2 for 2008, does that not faze you?
TR: Antonio has had a great season but I definitely think he is beatable. Cairoli is good at the moment but is not like a ‘Carmichael’ or ‘Stewart’. I think he is a good reference in order to get even better for next year and adds that little bit of extra motivation to try even harder. The KTM is a very good bike and I really enjoy riding it. We are already thinking about a few changes and upgrades for 2008 and I am hoping for a good season.
TR: Antonio has had a great season but I definitely think he is beatable. Cairoli is good at the moment but is not like a ‘Carmichael’ or ‘Stewart’. I think he is a good reference in order to get even better for next year and adds that little bit of extra motivation to try even harder. The KTM is a very good bike and I really enjoy riding it. We are already thinking about a few changes and upgrades for 2008 and I am hoping for a good season.