Cairoli defies illness to remain undefeated in 2019

Internazionali D’Italia Motocross Rnd 2 – Ottobiano

Nine-times MXGP World Champion Cairoli travelled north from his base in Rome in spite of sickness and a strong effort in the last two days to lower the effects of a virus and fever. The Italian, and teammate Jorge Prado, were not encouraged by the snowy conditions that swept the site south of Milan but the sandy Ottobiano surface remained race-able.

The second round of three in the Internazionali D’Italia went ahead and Cairoli had the fitness, speed and capability on his KTM 450 SX-F to claim chequered flags in both the MX1 and Supercampione motos to maintain his perfect race record so far this year. #222 is now very close to an eleventh national crown.

World Champion Prado took his KTM 250 SX-F to a similar standing in the MX2 contest. The Spaniard then excelled again surrounded by 450cc motorcycles to score 3rd place in the Supercampione: meaning that Red Bull KTM repeated their excellent results sheet from the opening race in Sardinia the previous Sunday. 

Antonio Cairoli: “A very difficult race because the track was tricky with a lot of ruts. I was feeling OK today but it was a difficult week. I had a fever until Friday night and only started to feel a bit better on Saturday. I had a good rhythm in the first moto and could take home the win. I started well in the second moto with a holeshot but Tim [Gajser] was riding really well. I made a small mistake with a lapper and had to give everything with three laps to go to get him back. I’ve had two good results and we’re close to being champion again in the Italian series. That will be a great accomplishment for me.”

Jorge Prado: “Another good meeting for me: winning the MX2 class and finishing 3rd again in the Superfinal. It was a very tough track. We had a lot of snow and rain these days and it made it pretty tough and challenging for the riders and starts were important. I had a holeshot in the first moto and led all the way. In the Superfinal I was in the top five and reached third in the first laps. It was great training and the season is getting closer. I was really happy with the weekend and how everything is going. I hope the weather stays OK for Mantova.”

The third and final round of the Internazionali D’Italia takes place next weekend around the flat sand of Mantova (scene of the Grand Prix of Lombardia this coming May).  

Internazionali D’Italia Motocross - Ottobiano Results

MX1 
1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 
2. Romain Febvre (Yamaha)
3. Tim Gajser (Honda)
4. Gautier Paulin (Yamaha)
5. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna)

MX2
1. Jorge Prado (KTM)
2. Calvin Vlaanderen (Honda)
3. Maxime Renaux (Yamaha)
4. Michele Cervellin (Yamaha)
5. Ben Watson (Yamaha)

Supercampione 
1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM)
2. Tim Gajser (Honda)
3. Jorge Prado (KTM)
3. Romain Febvre (Yamaha) 
5. Mikkel Haarup (Yamaha)