TYLA RATTRAY

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MOTOCROSS RACER

Determination. Hard work. Single-minded pursuit of excellence. These are all concepts that describe Tyla Rattray, going a long way to explain why the South African teenager is rated as one of the top motocross riders in the world today.

The climb to the top has definitely not been easy for Tyla. Always pitted against older and more experienced riders, Tyla often had to swallow the ignominy of defeat, the frustration of being lapped, the despair of climbing up a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.

But he persisted. Leaving friends and family behind in South Africa, Tyla relocated to Europe in 2000 as a fourteen year old to pursue his dream of glory on the world’s motocross tracks. Motocross is one of the toughest sports of the world, exacting a heavy toll on those who choose to do it professionally.

Tyla kept creeping up the ladder, and in 2002, he had his breakthrough season. Kicking the season off with a sensational eight place finish at the first GP, he rarely dipped outside of the top 10 in any GP thereafter, and wrote himself into the history books as one of the youngest podium finishers in a motocross GP with a second place at the GP of Belgium in 2002. His consistency helped him to a seventh place overall finish in the 2002 world championships, a tremendous achievement for a sixteen year old.

Building on this base, Tyla entered into the 2003 world championship series full of confidence. His consistency streak continued, and again he pegged himself a permanent spot within the top 10 at virtually every GP during the season. Despite missing two GP’s through injury, he managed to improve on his world championship ranking, and ended the season with the number 6 plate in his possession.

Tyla’s international prowess is recognized by the South African motorsport controlling body, and for the last two years, he was automatically included in the South African team for the annual Motocross of Nations event. At the 2003 edition of the event, he captured the imagination of the American media as well with a phenomenal qualifying performance which put him a mere 0.3 seconds behind the all-conquering Ricky Carmichael.

Tyla’s ultimate reward for the 2003 season came in the form of a double championship haul. For the past three years, the teenager had participated in the tough Dutch motocross championship series as his “domestic” championship. This series attracts some of the best riders in the world, and certainly the best sand riders in the world. When the dust settled after the final round of the 2003 series, Tyla was left with two championship trophies in his hands. Not only did he win the 125cc title, but, sensationally, became the first Dutch champion in the newly-established Superfinal class, which pits 125cc machines against much more powerful Open Class bikes.

The teenager has received the ultimate accolade in contract terms, being selected for the elite KTM factory team for the 2004 world championship series. His speed, determination and work ethic, coupled o the best equipment in the industry, will make him a top candidate for world championship honours next year.