Surgery ends Rattray’s bid for MX2 season podium
August 04, 2007
KTM Red Bull Racing Team's Tyla Rattray, the tough and talented South African rider who is currently third on the MX2 World Championship standings has been denied a shot at a season's podium because he has to undergo reconstructive knee surgery. The popular Tyla twisted and injured his right knee at Loket last weekend while competing in the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic. Subsequent medical tests revealed a stretched Anterior Cruciate ligament, damaged lateral ligaments and some minor meniscus problems. The 21-year old South African rider learnt of the need to undergo surgery on Thursday after doctors had made further assessment of the damage. Tyla had amassed 371 championship points and has been in the top three 14 times in the 22 individual races of the 11 rounds of the season. His consistent performance has won him a well-earned position among the leading racers and admiration from his peer group, the KTM team and his many fans. KTM's Offroad Director Pit Beirer joined all members of the KTM family in wishing Tyla a speedy recovery and emphasized that the company would continue to offer him full support during the recovery period. Doctors have told Tyla that he will need a window of fourth months before he can resume comprehensive MX training. Tyla is one of our top riders and I am personally very sorry that he is not going to be able to reap the benefits of all his hard work this season. He has been on the podium on more occasions this season than any of our other riders. It makes me very sad that his bid for a top three place at the end of the season has to end like this," Beirer said. The Offroad Director added that it had been his greatest wish and a top priority that all four KTM MX factory riders might end the season fit and healthy.Send this article to a friend
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