09-05-2022	MXGP News
Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee show true potential in Italy

Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee leapt into action at the seventh round of the 2022 FIM Motocross World Championship, the Grand Prix of Italy, this past weekend. Rain turned the Maggiora hillside into a true test of both man and machine, testing both Isak Gifting and Kay Karssemakers in the MX2 division.

The opening MX2 moto was just thrilling for the team. Gifting really rose to the occasion, despite such a tricky track, as he charged into third and maintained the position for a majority of the race. Even more impressive was the fact that he recorded lap times significantly faster than the top two finishers, which left '517' with a lot of optimism entering moto two. Unfortunately, he crashed whilst running third on lap one of moto two and then an additional mistake scuppered any chance that he had of a podium finish. Gifting persevered to salvage a twelfth in the moto, however, and seventh in the overall classification.

It was quite the weekend for Kay Karssemakers; the rookie sensation raced inside of the top three early on in the first moto and learnt from the experienced stars around him. There was a small mistake that dropped him to eleventh at the finish line, but he was hungry for so much more and took the holeshot aboard his KTM 250 SX-F in moto two. Karssemakers looked incredibly poised towards the front and showed signs of encouraging potential before settling into ninth at the chequered flag. 11-9 scores gave him a career-best ranking of tenth in the overall classification.
 
Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee will leap into the soft stuff now. With so much positivity in the air after a very successful Italian event, more progress is imminent. The daunting Riola Sardo sand will host the eighth round of the 2022 FIM Motocross World Championship, the Grand Prix of Sardegna, this coming weekend. 

Isak Gifting: "Good step in the right direction today with P3 in moto one. I had another good start in moto two, but I came together with another rider and missed my chance for the podium. We'll get back in the sand at Riola next weekend, which I like. Bring it on!"
 
Kay Karssemakers: "All in all, it was a very good weekend! I got a good jump out of the gate in moto one and was riding with some good speed, but a small crash dropped me to ninth and then I lost my rhythm. I had another good jump in the second moto and took the holeshot, which was an amazing feeling! I made another small mistake, unfortunately, but I found my rhythm afterwards. Finishing ninth was my first top ten! A great day!"
 
Roger Magee (Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee Team Owner): "What a really good day for Hitachi KTM fuelled by Milwaukee, in various parts of the world, with Isak and Kay setting the pace in moto one at Maggiora by running P3 and P4 early on. Isak brought it home in P3, his best result for the team to date, and Kay, despite a small crash, in P11.