Also recognized at the glittering annual gala held at Salle des Etoiles was KTM Offroad Racing Director, Pit Beirer, for his contribution to research on spinal cord injury, and KTM's young American rider Blake Wharton, the FIM Junior Motocross World champion in the 125 cc class.

The event, now in its third year recognizes excellence at World and European championship level for off road sports.

Searle was paired with South Africa's Tyla Rattray in 2007 for his first season of MX2 with the KTM Red Bull Racing Team. The 18-year-old was on the podium on 12 occasions in the 2007 season and won races in Sweden, Belgium and at home in Britain. Searle's exceptional talent on two wheels became more evident as the season progressed and he is among the title favourites in the class for 2008.

KTM's Blake Wharton made an impression not only by taking the title in the Junior World Championships but also racing at home in the USA in a whole range competition. The talented 15-year-old is an emerging talent who will soon be ripe for the senior international scene.