Red Bull KTM Factory rider Antonio Cairoli is starting to show really good speed, and it shouldn’t be too long before we see him winning GP’s again. It’s been a while for the MXGP legend, his last coming at Matterley Basin in 2015, nearly a year ago.

Cairoli showed fighting spirit in Thailand last weekend, and despite bike problems and a less than perfect preparation due to his injury, the Italian fought hard for many points. We caught up with him and asked him about his Thailand adventure.

Antonio, first what happened in that first corner in the second moto?

I had a bike problem. For a couple of laps, the bike was stopping, so the first two laps it was a big problem. In the first corner I had a massive holeshot, and then in the corner there was nothing. I made some corners and before the take off again no gas, and for two or three laps I didn’t know what was going to happen. The bike started getting better and better and I just tried to keep going and get some points.

Joel Smets (left) and Antonio Cairoli  (right) talking on the starting line in Thailand.
Joel Smets (left) and Antonio Cairoli (right) talking on the starting line in Thailand.

Did the heat bother you at all?

No I like the heat, but for sure this time I don’t have great condition. If I get a good start and can ride at the front it is no problem, but if I get a bad start and have to come back from the back, then its hard work and I get tired quickly. My condition still isn’t good, so I couldn’t do better than 11th or 12th. The most important is I didn’t crash, so that is important. In that first race I was riding on a good level, so that is important and builds the confidence. We go now with two weeks’ rest and my injury is better and it’s just a matter of getting my condition back.

 

That opening moto battle between yourself, Romain Febvre, Tim Gajser and Ben Townley was really nice to watch. How did it feel being involved in such a race?

It was nice. I am not here to finish second, that is for sure and I am here to win, then I know I can attack and when I feel I can’t, then I wait and ride to get the feeling back. The first moto I was feeling good and I hope to be more fit for Valkenswaard and we try and win there.

 

You had two moments in the weekend. The one on Saturday where you and Ben made contact, and in the first moto on Sunday with Romain, when you nearly made contact. Can you tell me about those moments?

With Ben it was my fault and we spoke to Ben and I missed a rut and Ben came up the inside and then it was ok, no problem. Today with Romain he tried to pass on the outside, and normally nobody can pass on the outside, so he couldn’t pass, it was just a racing situation. I know he is in a good condition and I am not and I try and get fit and be in a better way with him.

Cairoli is fifth in the MXGP Championship, twenty-eight points in back of Febvre.
Cairoli is fifth in the MXGP Championship, twenty-eight points in back of Febvre.

How exciting is it to race with Romain? Because he has really shown what a talent he is.

Sure it’s exciting, because if you see last year nobody was there to race him, and it is important for me to try and be fit and be there to battle with him. I try and win some races.

 

The track seemed pretty nice on Sunday. How did you find it compared to Saturday?

Yes, the morning was a lot better, but late in the day there were so rough edges in the ruts, and a little dust, but it was better than Saturday.

Ray Archer images

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.