KTM Red Bull Racing's Tommy Searle overcame rainy conditions and trouble holding the line in the MX2 races in Loket on Sunday to finish third overall in the Czech Grand Prix.

The British teenager, who has already committed to stay with KTM in Europe for 2008, was third in both motos, adding another 40 championship points to his tally, as he underlined his steadily improving form. No longer the new kid on the block, he is now consistently riding with the best in MX2, and survived Sunday's conditions where some of his more experienced rivals fell by the wayside.

Rain began to fall in the middle of the first MX2 race and continued for the rest of the day, making the track muddy, heavy and more unpredictable. The Briton was also still suffering the effects of a cold and was not completely fit, making his overall third even more commendable.

"Those were two difficult heats," Searle admitted, "It was not easy because of the rain, which made it very hard to hold the line and get past the other riders."

What was a satisfactory, if difficult, day for Searle, however, was even more difficult for team-mate Tyla Rattray. The South African got away well in the first moto and was in a comfortable position when he crashed in the first corner. He then pursued the pack from the rear and managed to work his way up to a creditable eighth at the close of the race. But it was the second heat that was most disappointing for the talented Rattray, as one of the Finnish riders crashed into him and he was forced to retire with injuries to the right knee.

The Red Bull KTM rider was checked by medical staff at the mobile medical unit, and reportedly has ligament and possibly meniscus injuries. He will have more extensive medical examinations on Monday to determine the extent of the injury and any possible consequences.

The DNF in race two dropped him down to 17th for the day, but the South African still holds onto third place in the championship. Searle, meanwhile, lies in fourth and has narrowed the margin between the two Red Bull riders to just 20 points.