01.11.2020

Cairoli wins Trentino MXGP as Vialle edges close to MX2 history

MXGP 2020 - Round 16, Trentino (Italy)

Tom Vialle KTM 250 SX-F 2020 Trentino © KTM Images/Ray Archer

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle moved to within striking distance of the 2020 FIM MX2 FIM Motocross World Championship thanks to 3rd position in Italy on Sunday and his 13th podium finish this season. In the MXGP class Tony Cairoli claimed victory for the third time in 2020 for what was the 16th round of 18.

Cairoli wins 92nd career Grand Prix, sits 2nd in the standings and still has a mathematical chance of the MXGP crown
Vialle goes 2-3 to carry a 73-point lead with 100 remaining in 2020
The Frenchman can be the ninth different Red Bull KTM world champion since 2004 on Wednesday

The last week (and triple-header) of the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship takes place around the compact and narrow hardpack of Pietramurata in northern Italy for the sixteenth, seventeen and eighteenth rounds of the season. The first episode – the Grand Prix of Trentino – occurred under bright skies, in dry conditions and with the track layout unaltered from previous meetings at the venue. The tight trajectory was typically difficult for passing and placed extra emphasis on the race starts.

Jeffrey Herlings and Rene Hofer were not present in Italy as they both continue to rehab from their respective operations and injury setbacks. Jorge Prado tested positive for Covid-19 a week ago and was forced to miss the Grand Prix.

MXGP

Tony Cairoli – Cairoli set the 4th fastest lap in morning Timed Practice and the used the power of his factory KTM 450 SX-F to make a strong start and weave through the tight left-right opening corners in 2nd position. The Sicilian could do little about the speed of leader Tim Gajser but made sure of 2nd for his third top-three result from the last five motos. In the second outing Tony blasted to his first holeshot of the year. He then pursued Clement Desalle as the gap fluctuated between the pair. Cairoli crossed the line to register a 2-2, which meant his 7th podium result of the year and the 172nd of his career. He now trails Gajser by 73 points but is 18 ahead of Jeremy Seewer who is 3rd in the standings.

Tony Cairoli: “I’m really happy to win the overall and to ride with Clement in the second moto; it was like a few years ago when we used to fight for the title! We were riding fast today. It’s always good to win in Italy but it's not the same without any public so thanks to all those who were supporting from home. We’ll try to do our best for the rest of the championship. Tim is far ahead but we’ll try to enjoy the last two races and see what happens.”

Claudio De Carli, Red Bull KTM MXGP Team Manager: “Tony’s performance was really good today and even after all these years he still keeps delivering results and giving us great emotions. Unfortunately, in Belgium last week we didn’t get the points that we all wanted but Tony showed he was running well here from the morning sessions. I think we could have even won the second moto. It’s a shame that Jorge could not race today as he has always been strong at this track. Both riders have been competitive this season with many podiums and they were both 2nd and 3rd in the standings. We’re happy with the results we’ve had so far and it has a been a big team effort to get these sixteen races done. Credit also to the organizers for making the season happen in a complicated year. We’ll do our best in these last two GPs ahead.”

MX2

Tom Vialle – Tom Vialle made his eighteenth holeshot of 2020 with the KTM 250 SX-F at the start of the first MX2 moto. The Frenchman then stalked and overtook championship rival Jago Geerts after some exciting exchanges in the opening laps. Thomas Kjer Olsen finally won the race but Vialle took 2nd place by just over a second from Jed Beaton with Geerts back in 4th. In the second moto Tom had control for 11 of the 19 laps but a small mistake into the corner at the end of the pitlane dropped him to 3rd place where he remained until the checkered flag. His 3rd position overall delivered the 13th trophy of 2020 for #28.

With two rounds remaining and a maximum of 100 points to win, Vialle has an excellent chance to secure KTM’s 13th title in the MX2 division since 2004. The 19-year old could be the third Frenchman to take the crown for Red Bull KTM and the ninth different rider with the KTM 250 SX-F.

Tom Vialle: “It was a good day for the championship. I was really angry with myself for that small crash in the second moto because I was feeling much better compared to the first race. To lose the GP like that was frustrating. Anyway, we have two more GPs to go. Last week I was thinking about the championship and also after the race today but when I’m on the bike I am really focused. I enjoyed the track, so that was an important thing as well.”

MXGP stays in Trentino this week. The Grands Prix of Pietramurata (Weds 4th November) and Garda Trentino (Sunday 8th November) will bring the 2020 campaign to a close in the coming days.

Results MXGP Grand Prix of Trentino 2020

1. Tony Cairoli (ITA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (2-2)

2. Tim Gajser (SLO) Honda (1-4)

3. Clement Desalle (BEL) Kawasaki (6-1)

4. Gautier Paulin (FRA) Yamaha (4-3)

5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI) Yamaha (3-5)

Standings MXGP 2020 after round 16

1. Tim Gajser 626

2. Tony Cairoli 553

3. Jeremy Seewer 535

4. Romain Febvre 487

5. Jorge Prado 476