KTM Press Newsletter

—————————————-
ENDURO
2006 FIM World Enduro Championship Rnd 1 Grand Prix of Sweden - day 1 (18.03.2006)
—————————————-

The KTM Enduro Factory Team started the eight-round 2006 World Enduro Championship in fine style with team riders David Knight and Samuli Aro claiming top honours in the Enduro 3 and Enduro 2 classes respectively on day one of the season opener. In the Enduro 1 class reigning world champion Ivan Cervantes ended day one in the runner-up spot after two falls on the enduro test dropped him behind Finn Petri Pohjamo.

With conditions in Ostersund, Sweden much warmer than expected the WEC’s first ever winter enduro turned out to be a lot less difficult than the majority of the teams and riders were expecting. With rain falling as the first riders left the start, clear skies and plus five degree temperatures during the day resulted in much of the snow on the enduro and motocross tests melting, leaving unseasonally wet conditions in many places.

In the Enduro 1 class Ivan Cervantes saw his hopes of starting the new season with a win ended when he crashed twice on the enduro test. Very much on the pace before his two spills, the Spaniard nevertheless still posted four class winning special test performances to claim a well deserved runner-up spot. Ivan’s Italian team-mate Alessandro Belometti was also performing well but also suffered bad luck on the enduro test when his chain came off, losing the former motocross rider a considerable amount of time and dropping him down the results. At the end of the day Belometti placed in seventh position.

Samuli Aro was another KTM factory rider who found himself parting company with KTM motorcycle during the day when the ’05 E2 world champion made a mistake on the extreme test. Battling with countryman Mika Ahola Samuli stepped off line on one of several man-made bridges on the extreme test, hit neutral, and slid back to the base of the climb before attacking the slope for a second time – thankfully making it over without another mistake. With the exception of his extreme test slip Samuli posted a solid performance and claimed a well deserved win. Newcomer to the KTM factory team, Frenchman Fabien Planet, rode consistently and finished in sixth position.

Claiming victory in the Enduro 3 class, as well as just managing to squeeze ahead of Samuli Aro in the overall results, Manxman David Knight pulled off what for many was a surprise result in his first ever winter enduro. Having never used spiked tyres in competition before Knighter showed just how quickly he is able to adjust to foreign conditions and placed 22 seconds ahead of KTM Enduro Factory Team team-mate Marko Tarkkala.

David Knight: “I’m well happy with the way things went today – I never thought it would go as well as it did. I started off pretty steadily because I wanted to get used to the conditions before really pushing hard but I felt good right from the start of the day. I put in good times on all three tests during the day but I really enjoyed the enduro test. I made a few mistakes not knowing how hard to push on the ice sections of the tests. I’m over the moon to have beaten the riders from Scandinavia. I did a lot of training during the week before the race but I still didn’t think that I’d be able to win. I’m going to see what the weather is like for tomorrow and not push any harder than I feel comfortable with.”

Samuli Aro: “I am really happy with the way things have gone, apart from a mistake that I made on the extreme test. I don’t remember which lap it was on because we rode so many laps, but I think it was lap three. I got stuck on one of the man-made ramps, missed a gear shift, and had to have a second attempt to get over it. Apart from that it has been a good day. The weather has been really strange. I am a little disappointed that it has been so warm. The last lap was quite difficult because the snow was almost all gone in the enduro test and the dark ground made it hard to see the ruts.”

Ivan Cervantes: “It has been a really good day for me, I am really happy with my result. Petri (Pohjamo) is from Finland so he has a lot of experience in these conditions. To finish second is like a victory for me. But having said that I am a little bit angry with myself because I feel that I could have won. I lost a lot of time with two crashes on the enduro tests. I think that I must have lost about 20 seconds, which would have been enough to win.”

2006 World Enduro Championship Rnd 1
Grand Prix of Sweden – Day 1

Enduro 1 class
1. Petri Pohjamo ™ 1.06:46.54; 2. Ivan Cervantes (KTM) 1.7:01.41; 3. Simone Albergoni (Honda) 1.7:05.08; 4. Peter Bergvall (Suzuki) 1.07:10.41; 5. Bartosz Oblucki (Husqvarna) 1.07:58.69; 6. Maurizio Micheluz (Yamaha) 1.08:25.45; 7. Alessandro Belometti (KTM) 1.08:37.77; 8. Robert Carlsson (Yamaha) 1.08:47.25; 9. Helder Rodrigues (Yamaha) 1.08:59.44; 10. Frederik Georgsson (KTM) 1.09:01.98; 11. Mike Hartman (KTM) 1.10:21.74; 12. Par Olsson (Yamaha) 1.12:05.67; 13. Leit Holm (KTM) 1.12:13.58; 14. Freddy Blanc (KTM) 1.13:38.500

Enduro 2
1. Samuli Aro (KTM) 1.04:53.34; 2. Mika Ahola (Honda) 1.05:20.06; 3. Johnny Aubert (Yamaha) 1.05:52.94; 4. Valtteri Salonen (Husaberg) 1.07:02.43; 5. Stefan Merriman (Yamaha) 1.07:30.89; 6. Fabien Planet (KTM) 1.07:58.47; 7. Petteri Silvan (KTM) 1.08:02.21; 8. Patrik Wicksell (KTM) 1.08:47.69; 9. Riku Rihelainen (Husaberg) 1.08:52.98; 10. Euan McConnell ™ 1.09:09.47; 11. Xavier Galindo (KTM) 1.09:18.84; 12. Thierry Klutz (Sherco) 1.09:21.84; 13. Andrea Beconi (Beta) 1.09:39.88; 14. Cristobal Guerrero (Gas Gas) 1.09:01.85; 15. Fabrizio Dini (Yamaha) 1.10:29.32; 16. Giuseppe Canova (Husqvarna) 1.10:51.38; 17. Johan Bjerkert (KTM) 1.11:09.94; 18. Pentti Nurminen (Husaberg) 1.11:25.08; 19. Tobias Burman (Husaberg) 1.11:53.36; 20. Alessandro Botturi (Aprilia) 1.11:57.43

Enduro 3
1. David Knight (KTM) 1.04:52.22; 2. Marko Tarkkala (KTM) 1.05:14.27; 3. Bjorne Carlsson (Husaberg) 1.05:43.25; 4. Seb Guillaume (Gas Gas) 1.07:42.74; 5. Heikki Timonen (KTM) 1.07:46.35; 6. Daniel Persson (Husaberg) 1.09:14.24; 7. Alessandro Zanni (Aprilia) 1.09:27.89; 8. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 1.10:23.08; 9. Alessio Paoli ™ 1.10:26.96; 10. Vita Kuklik (KTM) 1.10:28.31; 11. Paolo Bernardi (Honda) 1.10:53.14; 12. Daniel Johansson (Gas Gas) 1.12:36.91; 13. Kimmo Hintikka (KTM) 1.12:59.49; 14. Michael Vukcevic (Sherco) 1.13:08.77; 15. Michal Rudolf (KTM) 1.13:27.64; 16. Tobias Auerswald (Husqvarna) 1.19:02.52

Enduro Junior
1. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 1.05:56.88; 2. Michal Szuster (Yamaha) 1.08:17.15; 3. Jake Stapleton ™ 1.08:46.16; 4. Robert Kapajcik (Yamaha) 1.09:31.14; 5. Oriol Mena (Gas Gas) 1.10:23.67; 6. Ricard Wressel (Husaberg) 1.11:04.18; 7. Patrick Wikman (KTM) 1.11:44.01; 8. Roni Nikander (KTM) 1.12:04.97; 9. Jonas Karlsson (KTM) 1.12:09.82; 10. Olli Turma (KTM) 1.12:32.17; 11. Oskari Kantonen (Husqvarna) 1.12:42.54; 12. Frederik Kvarnstrom (KTM) 1,12:46.02; 13. Martin Sundin (KTM) 1.13:05.29; 14. Lorenzo Santolino (KTM) 1.13:25.78; 15. Jari Pulkkinen (Yamaha) 1.13:58.15; 16. Markus Luthstrom (Yamaha) 1.14:15.54; 17. Kristoffer Jonsson (Gas Gas) 1.14:27.23; 18. Anton Nordh (KTM) 1.15:03.59; 19. Lucas Puerto (KTM) 1.15:08.26; 20/ Jakub Horak (KTM) 1.15:39.12

KTM Press Newsletter

—————————————-
MOTOCROSS
Jobe to lead potent MX1 push in 2006 (16.03.2006)
—————————————-

KTM Racing is pleased to announce that five-times Motocross World Champion Georges Jobe will be team manager for its MX1 effort in the FIM 2006 World Championships.

With riders Mickael Pichon, Sebastién Tortelli, both former World Champions, and promising young Spaniard Jonathan Barragan, the factory will have the strongest line-up ever.

Due to the bulk of his experience, Jobe is considered a capable team leader and will pass on his knowledge to the riders and the rest of the technical crew.

“I’m very proud and happy to have signed such a strong personality as Team Manager for our MX1 Team”, said KTM Motorsport manager Kurt Nicoll “and I’m sure his skill and experience will help us in reaching our goals.”

“This is a very exciting position for me and it is also an honour,” commented Jobe. “It shows that I have been doing a good job so far and that KTM trust me. It will be a challenge but I have always relished situations like these throughout my career.”

A Sunny Diversion
Moto XXX Spends a Week in Florida

With half of the riders based on the east coast and two consecutive rounds in
the Sunshine State, Team Unbound Energy/Moto XXX decided to spend the week
between the Daytona and Orlando rounds of the Supercross series in Florida. In
addition to a change of scenery for most of the personnel, the extended layover
has given the squad a chance to test and train in a different environment than
they’re used to. All in all, it’s been a refreshing break that has everyone
charged up about the next race.

Florida resident Timmy Ferry has played host/tour guide this week and luckily
for everyone involved, he’s been in a good mood. That’s largely due to the fact
that he turned in another top-ten ride last weekend. After gating in the back
half of the pack, “Red Dog” passed several riders, including a couple of
factory guys, and finished the race in 8th. Although his progress has been very
evident, Timmy still wants more and expects his results to keep improving.

Two weeks ago, Josh Summey had a nasty get-off that ended in a trip to the local
emergency room. He was cleared to race, but couldn’t get back to the stadium in
time for his LCQ. Fortunately, he harnessed that disappointment and found even
more determination. He finished 7th in the “Lites” division at Daytona and
showed enough speed to threaten for a top-five spot this weekend. Said Team
Manager Allan Brown, “There’s no question that Josh is fast enough. We just
have to get the starts and stay away from the bad luck he’s had at half the
races this year.” Even with a couple of mishaps, Summey resides inside the top
20 in East Region points.

Less than two weeks after eating a giant dirt sandwich, Kyle Lewis appears ready
to defy the odds once again. The amount of facial trauma he suffered had doctors
thinking that he wouldn’t be able to ride again for weeks, but “Lucky’s” been
discrediting conventional wisdom for years. He’s made a quick recovery and
hopes to ride Orlando this weekend. Status: Probable.

Team Unbound Energy/Moto XXX is faithfully supported by Unbound Energy Drink,
American Honda, Akrapovic, O’neal, Honda Genuine Parts, Pro Comp Wheels &
Tires, Sidi, Tag Metals, EPersonals.com, M2R Helmets, Polisport Plastic, Pro
Honda Oils & Chemicals, Pro-X, Scott, N-Style, MB1 Suspension, Lucky 13, Ready
Filter, VP Fuels, Braking, Motion Pro, Hinson Clutch Components, Metaltek,
Ogio, Dunlop, Vans Shoes, Fat Wreck Chords, RK Chain, Excel Wheels, Vortex
Ignitions, ARC, Ti Lube, Carbon Fiber Works, SDG Seats, PPG, Asterisk, Lockhart
Phillips, Red Rider Rewards, Crower Power, Darkside, N-Fab, CST, MT Racing, Vans
Shoes.

KTM Press Newsletter

—————————————-
KTM NORTH AMERICA
GNCC; Round 2: Juha once again unmatched; Lafferty runs strong (15.03.2006)
—————————————-

The first round in the deeply rutted and sandy Florida track took a toll on the GNCC riders. Even so, Juha Salminen powered through round two in Washington, Georgia and left the field of 1700 riders behind him to claim the number one spot on the podium.

Storming off the pro starting line, KTM Off-Road rider Juha Salminen had a great start and came around the first bend in the number one spot. The Finnish rider pulled away and had control of the race early on. On the podium he said, “Today after the first two laps, I felt really exhausted. I was tired…I think it was from Florida and I think everyone felt that race.” Even fatigue couldn’t slow down the 2005 GNCC Champion nick-named “U-Haul.”

The 28-minute long lap time did nothing to slow Mike Lafferty down as he showed as much heart and determination as he did in Florida. The New Jersey resident flew off the starting line and was fourth on the first lap and unfortunately fell on the second lap. Quitting was not an option as he picked himself up and charged from eighth to fourth. Charlie Mullins finished in the third position but was penalized for fueling his motorcycle outside of the pro pit area and Lafferty moved up to third. Teammate Robbie Jenks also had a great race as he finished fourth for the day.

GNCC Results, Round 2: Washington, GA (Top 10)

1. Juha Salminen KTM
2. Glenn Kearney
3. Michael Lafferty KTM
4. Robbie Jenks KTM
5. Fred Andrews
6. Paul Whibley
7. Garrett Edmisten
8. Shane Watts KTM
9. Rodney Smith
10. Jimmy Jarrett

Moerbeke-Waas, Belgium
13/3/2006

World Champion Stefan Everts continued his excellent run of results in the build-up to the 2006 Grand Prix season by dominating the first round of the Belgian Championship yesterday in a soggy Moerbeke-Waas.

The Belgian guided his factory YZ450FM to first position in all three motos and led the last race from start to finish. It was another confident display from the 33 year old who has now won all of the four events he has contested (the first three being the Internationals in Italy, France and Britain) since the motocross calendar cranked into life during February.

Riding the new version of the YZ, Everts has already stated how comfortable he feels on the 450 and is happy with the testing programme and modifications carried out by the Rinaldi team. Combined with this recent sizzling form Everts is a sure-fire favourite going into the first round of the World Championships that will take place in three weeks time at the Zolder circuit in Belgium for the Grand Prix of Flanders.

“It went well and the conditions improved during the day,” he said regarding his latest success. “It had been raining before the meeting and the temperatures dropped the eve of the race so the track was frozen in the morning. It started to melt however and this meant that it was very soft and became rough. The jumps were very rutty so it was a very technical course.” “Except for the first race I was happy with my riding. We made some suspension changes after that first moto and everything was great; I just got stronger. Strijbos pushed hard and then Ramon was there also, but I led the last moto from start to finish.”

It was a busy weekend for national motocross as most domestic series commenced their 2006 campaigns. Reigning MX2 World Champion Antonio Cairoli was only able to score 3rd and 7th positions at Gallarate, Malpensa for the third round of the Italian series. The De Carli Yamaha rider lies second in the standings behind KTM’s David Philippaerts, but was forced to concede the runner-up spot yesterday to Ricci Racing’s Davide Guarneri. The young Italian’s team-mate, former World Champion Alessio Chiodi, was fourth overall.

In Britain Billy Mackenzie was second to Marc de Reuver (making a one-off appearance in the series) at the Cadders Hill circuit in Norfolk with results of 4th and 2nd. The Bike it Yamaha representative negotiated a bumpy track in cold conditions for a positive start to the first of eight races in the typically action-packed British competition. “At every first round of the British Championship I have either won or crashed so I was determined that I would leave with a couple of good races this time,” the 21 year old Scotsman said. “I was only worried about Carl Nunn and the options for the Championship as he will be the one to beat. Overall it was not a bad weekend,” he summarised. “For once it was a steady performance and taking De Reuver out of the equation I am leading the series so in that respect it was positive.”

KTM Press Newsletter

—————————————-
MOTOCROSS
Excellent MX2 weekend for KTM (13.03.2006)
—————————————-

Champ KTM riders Marc de Reuver and Carl Nunn were in action at a sunny but cold Cadders Hill circuit for the opening round of eight in the 2006 Maxxis British Championship.

On a damp and rough track the duo claimed the top two positions during the first moto and despite a crash after a run-in with a back marker late in the second race, De Reuver was able to complete a double success. The Dutchman was making a one-off appearance in the highly competitive British series after racing at HawkstoneParkthe week previously and then remaining in the UKat the home of his agent and former KTM World Champion Jamie Dobb.

Nunn dropped back to fifth in the second moto and it was the first time the reigning Champion had placed outside of the top three in over a year; he was still able to finish third overall.

A third Champ KTM rider, David Philippaerts, was again strong in the ‘Campionati Internazionali d’Italia’. The Italian won both motos in the third round of the series at Gallarate, next to Milan’s Malpensa airport and venue of the 2004 Italian Grand Prix. Philippaerts, who scored 3 motos wins and 2 Grand Prix victories in a breakthrough 2005 World Championship campaign, leads the standings by ten points over defending MX2 number one Antonio Cairoli.

In other news MX3 World Champion Sven Breugelmans took a 4th and 3rd place at Moerbeke-Waasfor the opening round of the Belgian Championship.

Lyng - MX2 Moto1

1 Marc De Reuver. 2 Carl Nunn+19.990. 3 Wayne Smith+21.674. 4 Billy MacKenzie +26.088.5 Tommy Searle +27.636. 6 Brad Anderson +1:11.939. 7 Scott Probert +1:23.588. 8 Shaun Simpson +1:36.887. 9 Gareth Swanepoel +1:51.703. 10 Jim Murro +1:52.567

Lyng - MX2 Moto2

1 Marc De Reuver. 2 Billy MacKenzie +5.353. 3 Tommy Searle +12.075. 4 Brad Anderson +43.816. 5 Carl Nunn +1:01.250. 6 Jason Dougan +1:05.903. 7 Gareth Swanepoel +1:09.991. 8 Shaun Simpson +1:37.789. 9 Jamie Law +1:56.856. 10 Scott Probert +2:00.605

Lyng - MX2 Overall classification and Championship standings

1. Marc De Reuver 60, 2. Billy MacKenzie 50, 3. Carl Nunn 48, 4. Tommy Searle 46, 5. Brad Anderson 42

Campionati Internazionali d’Italia standings:

1.Philippaerts (KTM) p. 141; 2.Cairoli (Yamaha) p. 131; 3.Guarneri (Yamaha) p.108; 4.Chiodi (Yamaha) p. 102; 5.Caps(Honda) p.92.

I really feel for Larry Brooks, he has to deal with the toughest mini dad ever to walk the planet in Tony Alessi as he watches over both of his sons (Mike and Jeff Alessi) on this years Red Bull KTM team and he also has to deal with one of the biggest waste of talent riders ever to race SX, Josh Hansen.

Is Josh Hansen going to burn out and fade away before he turns 22? I’d say it has already happened, the proof is in the pudding they say and his recent appearance on Carey Hart’s TV show “Inked” is proof enough…Hansen figures “he came from Nuthin”…how that is when you dad is a former National Champion and Team Honda star Donny Hansen and you have had factory bikes since you were a 9 year old I will never know…

Here is KTM’s version…

KTM Press Newsletter

—————————————-
KTM NORTH AMERICA
AMA Supercross Series; Round 10, Daytona Beach, FL (11.03.2006)
—————————————-

Under clear skies, young Zach Osborne joined the Red Bull KTM Supercross riders Josh Hansen and Jay Marmont for his first supercross event and won his qualifying heat race.

In the first Lites heat race, Josh Hansen and Zach Osborne lined up at the gate and both riders had a midpack start where they finished 6th and 9th, moving them into the main. Jay Marmont was in the second heat race and also had a midpack start and finished the 6-lap race in 8th.

The excitement grew as the Supercross Lites class lined up in the gates and when the gate dropped it was Jay Marmont in third. Josh Hansen was midpack and Zach Osborne crashed off the first corner berm only to jump up quickly and roar down the track, eager to pick off other riders. Osborne showed a lot of heart and determination as he went from last to 14th where he finished his night. Josh Hansen was forced to pull off the track because of a nagging back injury and Jay Marmont completed his night in 9th.

AMA Supercross Series Results; Daytona Beach, FL

1. David Millsaps
2. Josh Grant
3. Chris Gosselaar
4. Thomas Hahn
5. Brenden Jesseman
6. Kelly Smith
7. Josh Summey
8. Bryan Johnson
9. Jay Marmont
10. Michael Blose

KTM Press Newsletter

—————————————-
KTM NORTH AMERICA
Round 2; AMA National Alligator Enduro, Daytona Beach FL (10.03.2006)
—————————————-

KTM Off-Road rider Mike Lafferty had an outstanding weekend during Daytona Bike Week as the New Jersey resident placed third in the Orange Crush GNCC and then crushed the competition at the Alligator Enduro and collected a win.

Lafferty’s 400 EXC handled extremely well under the sandy 83 mile and gnarled palm rooted course. He had a slow start off the line, but made up for it right away and rode solid for the remainder of the day, beating the rest of the 500 Enduro riders.

Results for the Alligator Enduro

1. Mike Lafferty KTM
2. Stephan Edmonson KTM
3. Brooks Hamilton KTM
4. Mike Grizzle KTM
5. Rich Lafferty KTM
6. Tony Geraci KTM
7. Fred Hoess
8. Jake Corn
9. Trey Wellborn KTM
10. Russell Etley KTM

KTM Press Newsletter

—————————————-
KTM NORTH AMERICA
GNCC kicks off in grand style in DeLeon Springs, FL; Salminen dominates (08.03.2006)
—————————————-

The first round of the Grand National Cross Country Championship series kicked off in DeLeon Springs, FL during the Daytona Bike Week and Juha Salminen came out swinging and took a commanding win.

400 riders were entered in the afternoon program and more than 35 pros lined up to take on the mighty KTM Off-Road team of Juha Salminen, Mike Lafferty and Robbie Jenks. As the flag dropped, Salminen jumped way out in front on his KTM 250 XC and grabbed the holeshot and an early lead, never to be contested for the remainder of the 2 hour and 40 minute race. The sandy course contained deeply dug out whoops, but proved to be no match for Mike Lafferty as the New Jersey resident had a dreadful start and came last off the line of Pro riders. He gathered himself quickly and put his head down, picking riders off one by one until he moved into third place where he finished for the day. Robbie Jenks finished in 15th.

When asked about the conditions of the race course, Juha said, “There were no good lines, you just had to hope for the best. It was difficult today.” He also added, “Next Sunday is another race; the first race doesn’t tell you anything. I have a nice points lead now, but we’ll have to wait for next week and see what happens there.”

Mike Lafferty said, “I messed up on the start and just had to charge early. I had to pin it because I wanted it. I felt stable and strong and the confidence was there. The KTM 450 XC was running awesome and we’re going for it again next weekend. I want to be a contender in the GNCC series.”

Round 1; Orange Crush GNCC, DeLeon Springs, FL

1. Juha Salminen KTM
2. Charlie mullins
3. Mike Lafferty KTM
4. Nathan Woods
5. Barry Hawk, Jr.
6. Fred Andrews
7. Glenn Kearney
8. Ricky Dietrich
9. Nathan Kanney
10. Ryan Voase

KTM Press Newsletter

—————————————-
RALLY
Preview - Por las Pampas Rally 2006 (07.03.2006)
—————————————-

With 23 cars, 1 truck, 37 bikes and 4 quads, entries to run Por las Pampas Cross Country Rally 2006, Patagonia-Atacama closed yesterday. According to the tradition, there was a great number of last minute confirmations to take part in this challenge that will start next March 7 in Argentinian Patagonia and will finish on the 16th in the region of Atacama, Chile.

Among cars, one Bowler — a prototype based on a Land Rover- from Norwaywas added to the list, together with two Mitsubishis and two Chevrolets, both coming from Brazil. Among bikes, the highlight of the recent entries was the official KTM team, and the Off Road Uruguayteam with four representatives.

Everybody against Marc Coma
The official KTM team registered the entry of the winner of Rally Dakar 2006 and of Patagonia-Atacama 2005, Marc Coma. His team mate, on board another KTM 660 Rally, will be the young Spanish rider Jordi Viladoms.

But Coma will not have an easy race running against experienced riders as the multiple champion Carlo De Gavardo.

But Chileans will be majority, with a total of 16 inthis category, showing their skills in their homeland, again in a race of their own.

Start of the 1st leg - March 08, 2006 - Total 458 km