Cairoli Unbelievable in Italy
Sunday, June 25, 2017 at 11:14AM
The legend, Antonio Cairoli of the Red Bull KTM Factory team has gone 1-1 in his home Grand Prix, to win his 81st GP of his career, but maybe one of his most impressive. The Sicilian went head to head with sand specialist Jeffrey Herlings and came out on top on both occasions.
Herlings went 2-2 for second overall, and Max Anstie was third overall with 5-3. Herlings has pushed so hard that he was physically sick after the moto, he couldn’t stand on the podium or make comments after the race.
Without a moto win from the French and Russian GP’s, the eight time world motocross champion closed many people’s mouths, and showed that maybe we are seeing the best Antonio Cairoli ever.
The 31 year old Cairoli also extended his series points lead over Clement Desalle and Gautier Paulin, as Herlings caught those two in the points race. Cairoli has 67 points over Desalle and 70 pts over Paulin. Herlings is 96 points back.
Antonio Cairoli: Yes, I was feeling great you know. I could push when Jeffrey came back. I am very happy. Thanks to everybody. We know that Jeffrey is a good sand rider we all know this, he was very fast, but the races are 35 and two laps and I am happy with this and the team made an awesome bike this year. I love the crowd here and also the KTM group. We made it again.
Max Anstie: It was awesome (to make the podium). A hot day today and the first race I hit the gate, and came back, then the second one Jeffrey passed me and I was like, wow he is riding fast, but I was able to do ok.
MXGP moto one
Cairoli won a great opening MXGP moto. The Italian legend held of the big challenge from his younger KTM team-mate Jeffrey Herlings to win. In a cat and mouse race, the two never really battled hard, but kept eachother very close, one getting the upper hand, then the other, before Cairoli showed his experience to win by a handful of seconds.
“Yes, I am very happy, it’s tough, but I have good training and I could manage. Jeffrey was faster in parts of the track, for sure after the long straight. I saw him coming and I responded when he tried to pass me. I want to win the second one.”
Cairoli led the opening MXGP moto, but Herlings has also made a good start around sixth place. First Cairoli, Paulin, Gajser, and Herlings after a few corners. This is going to be good.
Bobryshev goes down and Herlings blasts past Paulin. The Dutchman is flying and going after Cairoli.
After one lap its Cairoli, Herlings, Paulin, Gajser, Desalle, Coldenhoff, Tonus, Nagl, Butron, Jasikonis in 10th.
The two Red Bull KTM factory riders have gapped the field and are gone. Herlings closing in, but the Italian won’t be giving up quickly. Cairoli then moves a little away from Herlings in a quick lap. Cat and mouse at the moment.
Herlings clearly made up ground on Cairoli as the two put on a show for the large Italian crowd. After four laps its Cairoli, Herlings, Paulin, Coldenhoff, Gajser, Desalle, Tonus, Febvre, Nagl and Butron in 10th.
On lap five Herlings into Cairoli and looking to pass the red plate owner. A lap later and Cairoli turns up the pace and moves away again. If you ask me, Herlings is waiting, but we all know Cairoli, he can turn it up any time he likes.
After eight laps Cairoli and Herlings are now 17 seconds ahead of third placed man Paulin, followed by Gajser, Coldenhoff, Desalle, Febvre, Nagl, Anstie, and Tixier 10th.
Cairoli extended his lead on lap 12 to three and a half seconds, and the top ten was Cairoli, Herlings, Paulin, Gajser, Febvre, Coldenhoff, Desalle, Nagl, Anstie and Tixier. Gajser all over Paulin for third place, the defending world MXGP champion finding some extra speed.
Herlings suddenly finds some extra speed and closed in on Cairoli. Herlings all over Cairoli and the lead should change any time soon. Herlings might have been playing with the Italian.
Febvre also on the charge as he pulls up to Paulin. Herlings goes for a pass and Cairoli blocks him, but there is no stopping the Dutchman. Suddenly, Cairoli pulls a big lead, was the Italian actually playing with the Dutchman?
Cairoli wins it, brilliant ride by the Italian.
MXGP moto two
In the second MXGP moto, Jasikonis led from Cairoli, Anstie and Herlings, then came Nagl, Desalle, Bobryshev, Tixier, Febvre, Leok in 10th.
Herlings into third place as he passed Anstie. Jasikonis on fire in first place as Cairoli losses ground on him, and had a small lead over Herlings.
Cairoli suddenly pulled up on the leader, and Herlings was also closing in. Cairoli all over Jasikonis and make the pass on lap two. Cairoli looks very fast, but the quickest lap was Herlings in third place.
Herlings straight away onto Jasikonis, but Cairoli is pushing hard to get a big lead. Herlings passed Jasikonis and went after Cairoli.
Herlings clocking the quickest lap times, as he closes in on the leader. Right on the back wheel of Carioli now.
Cairoli and Herlings again get away from the field as these two legends put on a show for the big crowd.
Herlings went to pass Cairoli and the Italian block passed Herlings. Jasikonis is suddenly onto the two leaders. Nice ride by the Suzuki rider.
Herlings back on Cairoli, I can’t see a block pass working again. The 22 year old vs the 31 year old.
Cairoli makes a mistake and Herlings takes the lead. Cairoli looking a little ragged, but Herlings makes a mistake. Jasikonis also in the battle. Cairoli looking for a way past, but Herlings blocks the pass.
Herlings getting away a little as he looks to try and take control of the moto and the Grand Prix.
After six laps its Herlings, Cairoli, Jasikonis, Anstie, Desalle, Nagl, Bobryshev, COldenhoff, Tonus, and Febvre 10th. Paulin back in 11th place, Gajser 14th. Both riders looking tired as the circle the tough sand track.
Nine laps and Herlings lead is more than two seconds, followed by Cairoli, Jasikonis, Anstie, Desalle, Nagl, Bobryshev, Febvre, Tixier and Tonus.
Cairoli back onto Herlings as the fans go crazy. Herlings looks spent. Herlings blocking Cairoli, but the Italian looks stronger. Again Herlings stops the change by Cairoli.
Cairoli takes the leads as he takes the lead and probably the Grand Prix win. Within a few laps Cairoli had extended the lead to 24 seconds, really impressive by the king of MXGP.
After 16 laps it was Cairoli, Herlings, Anstie, Jasikonis, Nagl, Desalle, Febvre, Tonus, Lupino, and Paulin in 10th. Herlings looking tired as Anstie was closing in on him, just seven seconds back in third.
Cairoli wins it, from Herlings and Anstie.
MXGP – Championship Classification
1 222 Cairoli, A. ITA KTM 431
2 21 Paulin, G. FRA HUS 364
3 25 Desalle, C. BEL KAW 361
4 84 Herlings, J. NED KTM 335
5 243 Gajser, Tim SLO HON 282
6 461 Febvre, Romain FRA YAM 275
7 89 Van Horebeek, J. BEL YAM 261
8 12 Nagl, M. GER HUS 255
9 777 Bobryshev, E. RUS HON 245
10 4 Tonus, Arnaud SUI YAM 227
11 259 Coldenhoff, G. NED KTM 223
12 99 Anstie, Max GBR HUS 216
13 27 Jasikonis, A. LTU SUZ 187
14 24 Simpson, Shaun GBR YAM 123
15 7 Leok, Tanel EST HUS 123
16 17 Butron, Jose ESP KTM 104
17 77 Lupino, A. ITA HON 94
Reader Comments