Cairoli - Juggernaut

It is amazing to think how powerful the Red Bull KTM Factory team was in 2017. Two world motocross championships, a bunch of GP victories and worldwide success.

Of course Antonio Cairoli with his ninth world title was the lead rider for the orange army. His sixth championship with KTM after winning three with Yamaha, the Italian legend can look back on this season with great pride.

“It was an important championship for me because we didn't start as the favourite,” Cairoli said after his win. “And for everybody who was ‘talking’ [doubting and criticizing] this was for them. I know what it takes to make a solid and consistent championship. We made it and I’m really happy about this. It was an amazing season, one of my best. It is amazing that I can still improve myself after almost fifteen years in the world championship. I’m proud of this and I think we can still work to be a bit better in some cases but right now I want to enjoy this title. It is the first with the KTM 450 SX-F for me, which is very special. The rest were with the 350 and when I was injured, we were never really in a position where we could test [the 450] a lot. This year I felt very good with the bike and we improved a lot in the winter.”

Pit Beirer the Motorsport Director at KTM, a former GP winner knows what it takes to challenge for a world title.

“Again, Cairoli and KTM combination gives us a special moment in our long motocross racing history,” Beirer said. “This is a product of a lot of work by a lot of people. Tony’s season was fantastic to watch with many highlights and proves he is still the reference for the class and all the kids that one day want to reach the top of this sport. Jeffrey also fought back well and it is hard to think how 2017 could have gone much better for us. 2018 will soon be on our minds but the whole crew really deserve to enjoy this one.”

Red Bull KTM team manager, Claudio De Carli is something of a father figure to Cairoli has been there since day one, and like everyone at KTM, knew this time would come.

“Tony won a lot of titles in a row and it is unusual to get the championship back after two years. The KTM 350 SX-F was essentially made for him and his style but when we took the 450 Tony was pretty much injured and we couldn't develop the bike as much as we wanted. When he was fit the technical side also went very well; the whole package came together and works so well now. He’s had a fantastic year. I remember him saying that he wanted the title at the end of last year and we all wanted to push for the same thing, but I also wanted to keep his feet on the ground. We found a good way. Every title has its own story but this one was special and emotional because of the comeback. He is an incredible rider. Everyone said he was too old and he was finished … but it was not like that. I want to thank each and every member of the team and the factory who have helped and to Pit and Robert for their support, trust and a great opportunity to be part of this KTM story.”

Now the current king of the MXGP class, moves into 2018 with another goal. To join Stefan Everts as a 10 times world motocross champion. It’s a goal that the Italian doesn’t really look at, he just wants to keep winning and the rest will take care of itself.

Author:

Geoff Meyer