MotoGP 2005 - Round 1

Flying Finn Mika Kallio opened the 125cc world championship with a brilliant second place podium finish for Red Bull KTM in today’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

Before a massive crowd estimated at over 100,000 Kallio was joined in the top ten by both of his Red Bull KTM teammates, Hungarian rider Gabor Talmacsi and Spanish teenager Julian Simon.

Both Talmacsi (5th) and Simon (9th) made impressive debuts with the KTM team.

Talmacsi finished a strongly in fifth place after making a perfect start and leading into turn one from his second row starting position.

Simon also made a spectacular start and charged from 14th on the grid to be in eighth on lap one and racing with the second group.

Despite a lack of pre-season testing because of injuries Simon rode a perfectly judged race to finish ninth. He was eighth with one lap remaining but dropped behind countryman Joan Olive on the final lap in very difficult conditions.

Riders battled very strong and blustery winds and a dust storm blowing in from the open areas around the circuit.

After settling into third place early in the race Kallio was always with the leading group and he led the race for two laps before backing-off to conserve his rear tyre for a final charge.

Kallio claimed second with a brave last corner move up the inside of Fabrizio Lai. Earlier Kallio was involved in an exciting five rider battle for the lead that also included Marco Simoncelli, Mattia Pasini and Pablo Nieto.

The race was won by Simoncelli. The next race is the Portuguese GP at Estoril on April 17.

MIKA KALLIO #36 - Second - “I am very happy for second place especially as the final five laps was very difficult. The wind was very strong and my rear tyre was sliding a lot, we should have selected a different compound today. When I got to the lead I had to back-off to save the tyre but then on the final lap I knew I had a chance to pass Lai at the final corner. This result is a great start to the season.”

GABOR TALMACSI #14 - Fifth - “I wanted to stay in a podium position after leading in turn one but fifth is a good result in my first race with KTM. I made a very good start but with my set-up today braking late was difficult and the bike was a little light in the front-end through the fast corners. At finish my rear tyre was not 100%, so perhaps we could have made a different choice.”

JULIAN SIMON #60 - Ninth - “After a good start I had a very good first lap and was racing with the second group. Then my rear tyre started to slide a little but I kept pushing. The last lap was very difficult but to finish ninth in my first race with KTM is OK because I missed a lot of the pre-season testing.”

HARALD BARTOL - Team Manager - “This is an excellent start to the season with three riders in the top ten. Mika rode a great race but we should have selected a harder compound for these conditions, that was only difference between Mika and Simoncelli. For their first race with KTM Gabor and Julian were very impressive. Julian just needs more time on the bike.”

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