Rattray returns but is disappointed.

Tyla Rattray returned to the scene of his first ever GP victory but this time round fate had some misfortune in store for him. For the second round of the MX2 series the GP circus visited Bellpuig in Spain, and quite unlike last year, when the riders had to contend with atrocious muddy conditions, a fierce wind and clouds of dust presented a completely different challenge.

Styla was in good form from the outset, and set the fastest lap times during free practice and the pre-qualifying practice sessions.

Despite his good gate pick, he had a bad launch off the line during the qualifying race, at the end of lap one however, he had battled his way into fifth position.

Styla continued to move to the front, and by lap four, had a clear track ahead of him. With a comfortable lead, he set into a rhythm, and the only excitement came when a minor crash allowed second placed Stephen Sword to draw close. Tyla however recovered in time to keep his lead, and won the race comfortably, ensuring his second pole position in as many GP races.

"I am very happy with my form at the moment," the factory KTM rider said after the qualifying session. "It was very windy and dusty and not pleasant at all, but I think I have shown that I am prepared for all track conditions."

Tyla slotted just inside the top 10 at the beginning of heat one. The fast track made racing very competitive, and the leading group of riders were posting very similar lap times, making passing difficult. He nevertheless managed to make up a couple of positions in the early part of the race. With championship rival breathing down his neck, Styla upped the pace, and kept within shooting distance of race leader Antonio Cairoli. A crash at 2/3 race distance caused him to lose the connection with the leading group, and killed all chances of a race victory.

Tyla recovered well and managed to get by a tiring Davide Guarneri. He increased the pressure on the last lap, and set the fasted race lap in his quest to haul in Erik Eggens for the third spot. In the end he had to be content with fourth spot behind Antonio Cairoli, Alessio Chiodi and Eggens.

The second race again started in less than ideal fashion, and he barely made it into the top 10 after the first circulation. This time he forced his way forward with more urgency, and by lap 3 he was in fifth position already.

Just as he had done enough to promote himself to third position, Tyla went down, dropping down to fifth spot again.

The South African teenager continued with the battle, and on lap 10 he snuck by Melotte again. Tyla was riding with his trademark determination, and it only seemed a matter of time before he moved into the podium placings. Again he posted the fastest lap time of the race, but this time fate intervened in the cruellest way possible. With overall victory beckoning and 10 minutes to go, the KTM coasted to a stop. His bike's chain had broken, and instead of celebrating another GP victory, Tyla was powerless as he saw his world championship lead disappear before his eyes.

"There are almost no words to describe how disappointed I am right now," he said after the race. "I was easily the fastest out there, and even though I could not have won the second race, the overall looked secure and I would now have had a good lead in the championship. I have to work on my starts, though, to start mid pack at this stage is simply not good enough."

Tyla's misfortune has cost him the lead in the world championship series, and he now occupies third spot in the word standings, six points behind championship leader Cedric Melotte.