KTM ATV top podium In Poland

May 20, 10:07 AMBoomer Biker ExaminerBruce Hosking

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KTM ATV riders Paul Holmes and Stefan Schreiber took the top two steps on the podium at the opening round of the 2009 GOLDSPEED EMX European Quad Championship on Sunday the 17th of May.

In a fantastic weekend and start to the six round series for KTM, Paul rode his Team KTM UK 505 SX to the top step of the podium with a hat-trick and clean sweep of moto wins, Stefan finishing a fantastic 2nd after recording a 5-2-2 result onboard his KTM Alskom Quad Racing 505 SX. Also showing excellent skills and ability to add to the outstanding results of their respective team-mates, James Hellewell and Mario Block rode solidly throughout the day to overcome problems beyond their control, James showing some excellent riding despite getting caught at the start in two motos and bending a disc in the final moto to finish 22nd overall, Mario taking 10th overall despite having to pull out of the second race after an incident on the opening lap.

With KTM machines making up almost one-third of the thirty-five strong entry field at the spectacular Gdansk Motocross circuit just 10 kilometres south of the famous city, not even the tricky conditions after heavy overnight rain presented any problems to the Ready To Race KTM, KTM riders filling three of the top five positions with half the top ten overall positions also claimed by KTM pilots.

With both free practice sessions dry but conditions deteriorating during timed qualification on Saturday afternoon, Paul and Stefan recorded the first and second fastest lap times in all but one of the three sessions as they tried to secure one of the thirty starting positions for Sunday's racing.

As race morning arrived the incessant overnight rain had taken it's toll with a lot of soft deep mud and standing water evident in many parts of the circuit, but with the weather improving and the hard work of the hosting club, GAMK, the circuit dried out as the day progressed and the three twenty-minute plus two-lap motos provided lots of entertainment for the huge crowd in attendance.  

Paul Holmes

Paul Holmes - Team KTM UK 505 SX

"This has been a fantastic result for KTM, the team and myself, and we could not have asked for a better start to our Championship campaign. Although we did not travel here for the meeting last year, I was able to get a good set-up during the opening free-practice and as I became more familiar with the circuit my times just kept coming down. The 505 SX was really strong off the line for the opening race and I was able to get the holeshot, which was really important for that moto as the circuit was still very muddy. I was able to pull a five second lead and just maintained this to the flag. In the next two motos I had to work my way through from 5th after the second corner, but with the bike working really well in the rougher areas I was able to make new lines and moved to the front quite quickly. I had no idea what my speed would be like in comparison to the other guys as this is my first year on the KTM whereas they have had at least two yea rs on their bikes, so to be able to pass them and win all three motos has been a real boost to the confidence and bodes well for the remainder of the series."

Stefan Schreiber

Stefan Schreiber - KTM Team Alskom Quad Racing 505 SX

" It has been a good start to the Championship and I am happy with my overall result today. I did not get the best of starts in the first race, I was just inside the top ten as we headed out on the opening lap, and although I felt faster than the guys in front the circuit had a lot of soft deep mud just off the racing line so passing was very difficult. I was able to move my way up to 5th so I am really happy with that. I took the holeshot in the second moto and pulled away in the opening laps, but I made a couple of mistakes and let Paul through. He is riding really well and unfortunately for me is also riding a very fast 505 SX, but I was able to catch up to him in the final phase so I know my speed is good. The last moto was also a good battle with Paul, the KTM works really well in the rough and I took the lead on the opening lap after gating 3rd, and although I would have liked to have kept the lead it is still good to have finished 2nd overall and take a KTM 1-2 on the podium. I look forward to the next round in Holland in June where I'll be aiming for the top step."

Overall Results / Championship Standings (after 1 of 6 rounds)

1. Paul Holmes - Team KTM UK - 1,1,1 - 75 points
2. Stefan Schreiber - KTM Alskom Quad Racing - 5,2,2 - 60
3. Matthieu Ternynck - Yamaha - 2,3,4 - 60
4. Joe Maessen - Yamaha - 20,4,2 - 40
5. Imantas Tamuliunas - KTM - 6,6,11 - 40
6. Davy De Cupyer - Honda - 4,dns,5 - 34
7. Timo Weidenbrucher - KTM - 12,10,7 - 34
8. Damian Rajczyk - Yamaha - 19,8,8 - 29
9. Ingo Ten Vregelaar - Yamaha - 8,5,nr - 29
10. Mario Block - KTM Alskom Quad Racing - 9,27,6 - 27
12. Raik Sander - KTM - 16,11,12 - 24
17. Agris Neija - KTM - 3,dns,dns - 22
22. James Hellewell - Team KTM UK - 23,14,19 - 9

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