Tyla Rattray has become the third South African in 16 years to win a World Motocross title by clinching the 2008 MX2 championship at the Italian MX GP in Faenza.
Rattray went into the final event of the year on Sunday needing 18 points out of a possible 50 to make sure of the championship - and second in the first moto was enough to write his name in the record books alongside fellow South Africans
- Greg Albertyn, who won the 125cc World title 1992 and the 250cc crown in 1993 and 1994 and
- Grant Langston, who was 125cc World champion in 200l.
Rattray and his British KTM team mate Tommy Searle were the only riders in with a chance of winning the World title after 2007 World champion Antonio Cairoli dropped out of the series when he injured a knee at the South African MX GP in Nelspruit in July 2008.
The overall win at Faenze went to Searle, who won both motos, with Rattray second and Belgian Joel Roelants, also on a KTM, third.
Rattray was content to play second fiddle to Searle in the first moto and make sure of wrapping up the title as the British rider led home Rattray and Frenchman Anthony Boissiere third on yet another KTM.
Searle won the second moto easily ahead of Roelants and American Zach Osbourne (Yamaha) while Rattray cruised around to finish fourth.
The final points standings saw Rattray (636) take the title by 23 points from Searle. Frenchman Nicholas Aubin was third - a huge 207 points behind Searle.
MX1
A third and a ninth were enough to give Italian David Philippaerts the World title in the MX1 class. Philippaerts finished 14 points ahead of 2007 champion Steve Ramon with Ramon's team mate and fellow Belgian Ken de Dycker third.