Tommy Searle Interview

It is the ultimate applause to just how tough the MXGP class is in 2015. Red Bull KTM factory rider Tommy Searle just a couple of years ago battling hard and winning GP’s against Jeffrey Herlings in the MX2 class, is now struggling to find a team, and take his place in the MXGP series in 2016.

Holding down 22^nd place in the series points standings with just 74 points, and just 17 points from last weekend’s Grand Prix of Czech Republic, held at the Loket circuit the British rider is running out of time to find a deal for next season.

“I don’t have anything for 2016,” Searle said. “I would love to be in the Red Bull KTM factory team next year. I really like the setup of the team, and everything about it. Unfortunately it’s been a terrible year, it hasn’t gone how I would have hoped, or the team had hoped. I had a bad year in 2014 and was lucky to get the KTM deal, but this season has been my worst yet.”

Despite having a brilliant record in the Grand Prix series, with a bunch of GP wins, runner-up places in the final point standings, and fine performances in the season ending Motocross of Nations Searle knows the pressure is on to keep his career intact.

“I haven’t been able to show anything really, and hardly finished any races due to so many injuries this year. I am disappointed, but I know the team are also. It is a lot of pressure, a lot of pressure from myself and the last two years were bad and this has been the worse year in my career. I came into 2015 thinking it would be one of the best in my career. I know what I am capable of, but it’s so hard coming back from injury then it’s hard to show what you are capable of.”

As for chasing up a new deal in 2016, Searle knows that it won’t be easy with so little to show for his 2014 and 2015 seasons.

“I have spoken to the guys at KTM. What can I tell somebody else, when I have done nothing. Hopefully I can get some good results, and take that to a team and try and get a ride. I think a lot of the teams have already signed guys, so I need some good results and hope something is still around.”

Going into Lommel this weekend Searle will have to put together some results. With just five rounds remaining Searle will know that if he doesn’t put on some results and score some points his place in the toughest series in the world will be more than a little difficult.