Team Red Bull KTM rider Tyla Rattray dominated the MX2 class with a double moto sweep to win the opening round of the 2008 World Motocross Championship held on Sunday, April 6, 2008 in Valkenswaard, Holland. Reigning MX2 World Champion Antonio Cairoli placed second overall with 2-2 moto scores, while local sand master Erik Eggens rode his Suzuki to third overall with 4-3 moto scores.

Belgian rider Jeremy VanHoreBeek holeshot the opening moto and led Nicolas Aubin, Tommy Searle, Antonio Cairoli and Tyla Rattray during the opening laps. The leading pack would shuffle itself around during the early stages of the moto, Red Bull KTM rider Tommy Searle eventually inheriting the lead on lap number four. Searle would hold the point until a minor miscue sent him into the Dutch sand, whereupon, Rattray took over the lead, never to relinquish it. Cairoli raced home to second, Searle was third, Eggens finished fourth, and Rui Goncalves was fifth.

Young Belgian Champ KTM rider Joel Roelants got the jump in the second moto, showing Nicolas Aubin, Cairoli and Rattray the way around the nasty sand circuit. Soon, Rattray and Cairoli flew by the Belgian and into first and second place, respectively. Although shadowed by Cairoli the entire way, Rattray held his ground, winning his first Grand Prix in well over a year.

"I feels good, my trainer has me on a good program and I feel like I have my attitude of 2005,” beamed the South African after the Grand Prix. “We won't be celebrating just yet, we will celebrate at the end of the year if we get a world title. I just go home tonight and take it easy. After my knee injury, I went back to South African after watching the Motocross of Nations and we did some work and I did some cycling races. My trainer knows what I need for my body and that is really making a difference."

Added Tony Cairoli: "I am happy with this place, I know I am not in good condition and I started (the pre-season) with the MX1 and we lost time on the MX2 bike, I had to work to get the speed in the beginning of the motos. I feel good on the bike and take confidence with that. Tyla is really fast on this type of track and I know that. I keep control of my race and not make a mistake.”

Teka Suzuki rider Ken De Dycker thoroughly dominated the MX1 at the Valkenswaard, handily winning both motos. Second overall went to reigning World Champion Steve Ramon. Red Bull KTM factory rider Max Nagl filled out the podium.

"I didn't expect this, everything is new,” explained De Dycker afterwards. “The team, the bike — but the bike is good both with both Suzuki guys on the podium. There is nothing bad about our bikes. This is really wonderful to be here and get two heat wins. You don’t rally have a strategy. I thought get the lead and pull away and control the gap at the end. I think another year in life has given me experience. I can't see why I can't be fast in Spain. If you can ride sand, you can ride hard pack and I will fight for it."

Runner-up Steve Ramon was bittersweet about is results in Holland.

"I wanted to do better today and Monday, but I was sick. It was a hard week, as I haven't been training. My riding wasn't good and I want to do better next time. Ken was just really fast and he deserves to win. I don't have a different motivation. The track was rough, so it was difficult to ride smooth and I was fighting the track all day. I am second which is pretty good."

CAS Monster Honda rider Billy Mackenzie was fourth overall in Holland, finishing ahead of Yamaha Monster Energy Yamaha pilot David Philippaerts. Josh Coppins, riding with two broken toes, placed a brave sixth in the Dutch silica.

Eric Johnson