Rene Hofer: Positive Start

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Rene Hofer has been something of a surprise after the opening two rounds of the MX2 World championship. The Austrian rider is currently fifth in the championship points and started the year on fire at the first round at Matterley Basin in England.

Around the circuit in the valley, and in tough conditions the Red Bull KTM rider surprised everyone with 8-2 results for fifth overall. It was a solid, consistent run for the MX2 rookie, and one that even surprises him in many ways.

“Just amazing,” Hofer said. “My goal was to take two good starts and to try and ride like I do in practice. In the first race I was 5th at the start and made my way up to 3rd and had nearly half the race there but could not make the pass on [Mathys] Boisrame and dropped back with some arm-pump. I was 6th on the last lap – and was OK with that – but made a small mistake, tipped over and lost two positions. In the second race I made the holeshot and passed Jago on the second lap. I really enjoyed the track. It is one of my favourites of the year. I almost led until the end. Anyway, it is the first GP of the year it feels incredible. I’m really happy.”

The following week at the Valkenswaard circuit in Holland, Hofer showed brilliance again in the opening race, finishing in fourth spot, but was involved in a big accident in the second race and struggled to 26^th position. Still, a top ten overall and confident that things could even get better.

“All in all, a good weekend,” Hofer said. “It was positive to get the 4th starting position on Saturday and then the first race was amazing. I was second behind Tom and then made a little mistake and dropped back but still managed a 4th place which was really good for my first sand race in MX2 and on such a rough track. I had a massive start crash in the second race and had to sort out my forks in the pitlane it took some time to do that and then I crashed again and damaged the bike a bit more. I struggled but will take the good parts from that first race.”

With some time to think about his positive start in the MX2 championship Hofer will no doubt come into the third round, and be able to build on what has already been a really nice start to his MX2 assault.

Photo Copyright: Ray Archer