Tony Cairoli second in UK

The ninth round of the MXGP 2018, the Grand Prix of Great Britain, was hosted this weekend on the track of Matterley Basin. 

The long and fast track that crosses the green valley near Winchester, on which the Grand Prix of Nations was held in 2017, welcomed the MXGP riders with summer temperatures and in ideal conditions to have beautiful and spectacular races. Tony Cairoli has shown to appreciate the hard and stony ground on which he has played some of the most beautiful races of his incredible career. With the second time in timed practice, the nine-time world champion won the qualifying race with a wide margin over his rivals, winning the first gate for the two Sunday’s heats. After a good hole-shot in the first heat, the KTM Red Bull Factory Racing rider set his pace for 12 of the 14 laps, until his fellow brad mate Herlings did not throw him to the ground in a clumsy overtaking attempt, having the best and cutting the finish line in front of him. In race two Tony started again in the lead, pushing to the maximum and driving the race until the last lap when he had to give up the first position, crossing the finish line in second, conquering the 101st podium with a KTM and thus strengthening the second position in the championship at 382 points. Next meeting with the MXGP in seven days on the St. Jean d'Angely track, for the French Grand Prix.

Antonio Cairoli: “It was a positive weekend and one in which I found the good starts that were missing in Germany as well as excellent race pace, even if it was not enough to win. I had a great feeling in practice on a track that was well prepared and full of lines, and in the qualifying race I managed to ride as I wanted and win. Today in both heats I managed to ride well; unfortunately the contact with Jeffrey in race one was unexpected but motocross is like this sometimes. In race two I tried to get away but in the end he caught and passed me. It’s a shame to lead 25 of the 28 laps without winning the Grand Prix but we must also say that the pace compared to the others is much higher and we have improved a lot compared to last year. We will not give up and will continue to attack next week in France.”

Race 1

1-J.Herlings 2-A.Cairoli 3-T.Gajser 4-C.Desalle 5-R.Febvre

Race 2
1-J.Herlings 2-A.Cairoli 3-R.Febvre 4-C.Desalle 5-T.Gajser

Grand Prix
1-J.Herlings 50p. 2-A.Cairoli 44p. 3-R.Febvre 36p. 4-C.Desalle 36p. 5-T.Gajser 36p.

MXGP Standings
1-J.Herlings 436p. 2-A.Cairoli 382p. 3-C.Desalle 314p. 4-R.Febvre 291p. 5-G.Paulin 267p.

Next Race: 10/06/2018 MGXP of France, St.Jean d'Angely