Antonio Cairoli, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star, in action during the opening round of the MXGP World Championship held at Losail International Circuit on Saturday night.
Italian motocross star Antonio Cairoli yesterday said he was thrilled to have to kicked off the new MXGP World Championship on a winning note despite arriving in the Qatari capital with a health concern.
The 31-year-old Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider grabbed two first-place finishes in the opening round held under lights at Losail International Circuit on Saturday night when stable-mate Pauls Jonass of Latvia also picked up a couple of wins in the MX2 class.
In race one, the MXGP star came out swinging retaining his lead in all the 18 laps to grab 25 points.
In race two, the Italian closed gap with leader Team HRC’s Tim Gajser with two laps to go before surging ahead for his second win of the night.
Cairoli's winning time in race 2 was 35:02.202 while in race 1, he clocked 35:00.353.
"I am very happy with both races. It was a very spectacular race, it was very nice to battle with Tim and hopefully we can have more races together," Cairoli said.
"It was definitely a great weekend. This season we had a great start, with good pre-season races and without injuries, this allowed me to drive and what I needed to do a lot of testing and the bike has made a major step forward," Cairoli said after the opening round.
"Only my health was not at the top, I arrived from Italy rather battered, with an influence that has forced me to take medicine during the week," he added.
Cairoli said on the track, he could barely do any wrong in Qatar.
"Anyway I enjoyed to compete on a very technical track where I could find good lines, conserving energy for the end of both races," Cairoli said.
"In race one I left in my head and I drove with my pace, taking a good advantage that I administered to the finish. In race two I made another good start but I touched with Tim and I was afraid of having damaged the front wheel.
"After a few laps I realized that everything was OK and I started to follow him but he was very fast, and half took a good advantage.
"Towards the end I found some good track and saw that I felt good on the bike I started pushing, being able to pass it, even winning the second heat. I am very happy with the result and of course also some good races seen today, now think of the next weekend in Indonesia," Cairloi said.
"The this is my 14th season in the World Championship Motocross and do not know how many riders can boast such a long career, plus I (have) won at least one Grand Prix per year for 14 consecutive years," Cairoli said.
Earlier on Saturday night, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jonass became the first ever Latvian to win a GP. The young Latvian had the perfect weekend winning every race he entered.
Consistent pressure was applied by Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team’s Benoit Paturel in both races, but Jonass held off the hard charging Frenchman.
Another rider who applied pressure to Jonass was LRT KTM’s Julien Lieber. Lieber was right on the rear wheel of Jonass in race 1 until a mistake cost him valued time and positions. Race 2 he positioned himself near the front once again and this time he was mistake free, good enough for a 3rd overall.
