DIRT NEWS
TOM VIALLE ROMPS TO FIM MX2 CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE
R ed Bull KTM Factory Racing ’ s Tom Vialle has been crowned 2020 FIM MX2 Motocross World Champion after winning the first moto aboard his KTM 250 SX-F at the MXGP of Pietramurata in Arco di Trento , Italy . Vialle continues a rich MX2 history for the KTM brand as the ninth rider to win a championship title in the lower capacity class aboard a KTM 250 SX-F . The Frenchman , who came into the penultimate round of 2020 with a sizeable points lead , took a dominant win in the opening moto at the picturesque Italian track to secure an emotional first world title . “ I ’ m so happy but there have been a lot of emotions today , commented the freshly minted FIM MX2 Motocross World Champion . “ I was a bit angry with the verdict ( in qualifying ) this morning but to make the holeshot and lead the first moto was fantastic . I was almost crying on the last lap . There was so much emotion . It was really special . Crazy . In the second moto we had some bad luck , but the important thing is that we achieved our goal . I want to say a big thanks to the whole team and everybody who worked together to make this happen . It was tiring to have a lot of races so close together and also keep the concentration through the training . I think we did it pretty good .”
In only his second term racing at Grand Prix level , 20-year-old Vialle has demonstrated incredible talent and maturity in his approach throughout the 18-round championship . In a year of difficulties due to the global pandemic , Vialle ’ s strong start to 2020 was halted when MXGP racing was abruptly paused after just two rounds back in early March . The Frenchman returned for round three in Kegums , Latvia in August to win his second Grand Prix of the season , ahead of an intense schedule of races in the weeks following . The KTM star battled hard with the MX2 competition , scoring consistently strong results to earn a comfortable lead thanks to his seven Grand Prix overall victories heading into the final tripleheader of the year . With 13 moto wins and 13 podiums so far this season , Vialle sensationally put his name in the history books by clinching the 2020 MX2 World Championship title to add to KTM ’ s outstanding success tally . The Frenchman ’ s victory confirms KTM ’ s fifth consecutive title in the category , with 13 championship victories in 17 years of MX2 competition for the Austrian manufacturer .
KIWI RIDER 21