KTM 1-2 in China

From KTM Racing

Red Bull KTM 250 stars Mika Kallio and Hiroshi Aoyama mastered treacherous conditions in Sunday's wet Grand Prix of China to score a fantastic double victory for KTM.

It was the second 1-2 for the Austrian manufacturer in the 250cc category after Aoyama won the German Grand Prix last year ahead of his teammate.

Polesitter Alvaro Bautista had established an early lead, but when the young Spaniard crashed out on the ninth lap of the race, Kallio had a clear track ahead and rode to a comfortable win despite increasing grip problems on the drying tarmac.

With two victories and four podium finishes in four races so far, the Finn extended his World Championship lead to a massive 21 points.

Aoyama, who tried so hard to catch Kallio that he opened up a gap of no less than 13 seconds to Mattia Pasini in third place, celebrated his first podium finish of the year.

"In dry conditions, we were a little behind, but the wet track today helped us," Kallio said. "But it certainly wasn't an easy task. After the start, I watched the situation for a while and saw that there was quite a difference between me and the other guys around me. They were faster in some sections of the track, and I was faster in others, which made it difficult to overtake. Eventually I managed to get past some of the other riders and took second place."

"I was only 11th in practice, and to be able to celebrate my first podium finish today is a fantastic feeling," Aoyama said. "We made a last-minute adjustment on the starting grid and changed the sprocket because my sixth gear wasn't tall enough for the back straight. This was certainly the right decision for the race and it allowed me to finish safely without putting excessive strain on the engine."

Results
1. Mika Kallio, Finland, Red Bull KTM, 48:12.217
2. Hiroshi Aoyama, Japan, Red Bull KTM
3. Mattia Pasini, Italy
4. Marco Simoncelli, Italy
5. Alex Debon, Spain, Aprilia

Standings
1. Mika Kallio, KTM, 82 points
2. Mattia Pasini, 61
3. Hector Barbera, Spain, 49
4. Yuki Takahashi 46
5. Hiroshi Aoyama, KTM 44