MX legend Tony Cairoli announces retirement!
Tony Cairoli (36) announced today during a special press conference with KTM management in Rome that he will retire after this season. The nine-time world champion will certainly go down in history as one of the strongest motocross riders ever.
Like his MotoGP counterpart, Valentino Rossi, Cairoli decided it was a good day. That's putting it mildly. The Sicilian made his World Championship debut in 2002 in the 125cc. Since then he has collected nine world titles, 93 GP victories and 177 podium finishes.
Perhaps even more impressive: the veteran and model professional remains in the running for the MXGP world title in his final season! He is third in the standings and only 29 points behind World Cup leader Tim Gajser.
In all those seasons, Cairoli only rode for three brands: Yamaha, KTM and one season for Honda-Martin. He won six world titles with KTM in the premier class and three with Yamaha, including one in MX1 and two in MX2. He achieved all these successes with the same team that of the Roman Claudio de Carli. In the statistics of the Motocross World Championship, Antonio only has to tolerate the Belgian Stefan Everts. He won 10 world titles and was good for no fewer than 101 GP victories. Cairoli managed to win at least one Grand Prix during 18 seasons.
With KTM, the living legend was successful on both the KTM 450 SX-F and the (then) revolutionary KTM 350 SX-F. Cairoli's contract extension with the KTM family means that the Italian will use his expertise in various ways for the Austrian group.
Tony Cairoli: “This is not an easy decision. I've always said that numbers and statistics don't mean much to me. I think it was an achievement for me and my family to win one World Cup, so to have had a career like this is very special. I feel it's the right time to stop. Everything around me seems to indicate that it is the right decision, and we are still trying to win the title this year, so the motivation is high for this challenge. I would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported me since I entered the World Cup and throughout my journey as a sportsman. There were many faces and names and of course all the excitement and love from the fans. I have felt very much part of the KTM family from day one and we will continue our work and relationship together, but now in a different way. There is much more to do in life after 2021, but for now our goal is very clear.”
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: "Our story started on an impressive note, because when Tony joined KTM, we had not yet won a premier class title and were still developing the KTM 350 SX-F. That made it seem like we had two challenges to overcome! To then win five consecutive titles and confirm the 350 concept was a big milestone for us. Over the years the relationship became closer and the friendship grew even more. A lot of our success, both in the U.S. as in MXGP, is down to those early years with Tony and the belief he had in us and our shared vision for the future. We have not forgotten that and we will not forget that.”
Robert Jonas, VP of Motorsports Offroad: “We are extremely proud to have been such an important part of Tony's career story and to have contributed so much to one of the best motocross riders the sport has ever seen. When we first started working with a bike that at the time was almost a sure bet for the top level of the world championship, I don't think we could have imagined the success that would come, and how deep Tony's impact on MXGP was able to make. He has fans all over the world and some of the biggest are right here at the factory. It will be strange not to see that orange #222 on the track next season, but his passion for driving and his experience will still be great assets for us. The story doesn't quite end here.”
Photos: Ray Archer, archive
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