Tyla Rattray interview

South African rider Tyla Rattray is very much a rider who works hard on his craft. Having won the 2008 MX2 world championship Rattray knows how to win titles, but injuries in 2014 saw him really struggle in the tough MXGP class.

Now with a change to the Monster Energy Kawasaki outfit Rattray is looking at showing that the speed is still there. Teaming up with American Ryan Villopoto also gives the South African a lot to look forward to in what could be his last challenge to the biggest motocross championship in he world.

We caught up with Rattray as he visited Belgium and his team for 2015.

Q: Tyla, 2014 was a season you would probably want to forget?

Rattray: It was tough, the season started getting hit with a rock in my hand at the Italian championships, the finger was cracked, and I took time off trying to recover. I talked to the doctor and he said it should be ok with a little rest. I went to Qatar hoping the finger would be ok. Obviously it wasn’t good to take so much time off riding before the first round, but it had to be like that.

Q: Yes it didn’t work out that well did it?

Rattray: I figured two weeks off and my finger would be ok, but then I went to Qatar and on the Friday (practice) my finger still didn’t feel right. I went and had x-ray on Saturday morning and it showed the finger was completely broken, then I knew straight away it needed surgery. In the first x-ray after the accident in Italy didn’t show much, but in Qatar it was clearly broken.

Q: Once you came back after that injury you seemed to be finding your speed, with some good results, but then you got injured again.

Rattray: True, I didn’t start the season well with the injury, and then it wasn’t good coming back with all the other riders already getting into the swing of things. I started slow, and I got some top six spots, then top five, and then I crashed and got another injury. I was a bummer for sure and my season was over.

Q: As all racers do, you can really only look forward and start preparing for 2015. How is that going?

Rattray: The preparation for 2015 is going great. I have a bike and we did some testing in Europe, and then I headed back to America to do some more training. I can’t wait for 2015, it can’t come quick enough.

Q: And riding with Ryan (Villopoto), how are you looking forward to that?

Rattray: The guy has shown he wins if he’s fit. I think he will be okay and I look forward to helping him in Europe and showing him the ropes a little, what to expect in some places. It should be fun.