Cairoli is still bothered by the Nations injury
While his biggest rival Ryan Villopoto is busy testing and completing training laps. MXGP world champion Antonio Cairoli has already started his 2015 campaign in an appropriate manner by taking victory in the Elite class of the first round of the Italian Championship last weekend in Riola Sardo. On the sand circuit with its deep ruts and cool temperatures, it turned out that the 29-year-old Sicilian still has some work to do after losing the MX1 to Honda rider Gautier Paulin. He is still building up from the huge crash he made last October during the Motocross of Nations where he seriously injured his right knee.
“This type of circuit is very technical and it is also fun to ride here in the pre-season,” said 222. “The MX1 race was satisfying although and perhaps because of the cold I rode around a bit stiffly and became second. I tried to win in the last laps, but I made a small mistake at the decisive moment. There is clearly still some work to be done, but that is just the first game of the season.”
Cairoli won the Elite series with an almost thirty second lead later in the afternoon. “I'm very good with the bike, but I'm still experiencing some after-effects of the injury I suffered at the Motocross of Nations,” he notes. “I am not yet 100% but I feel good and am aware of what I have to do to arrive at the start in Qatar in the best condition.”
Cairoli is already looking forward to the next match with his Grand Prix colleagues next weekend in Castiglione Del Lago for the second round of the Italian Championship… But will not yet come face to face with Ryan Villopoto until the first Grand Prix in Qatar is being raced, which is already starting to feel like the race of the season.
Text: Adam Wheeler / OTOR
Photo: KTM/Images
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