Antonio Cairoli | In For Two Rounds Of 2022 Pro Motocross

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Antonio Cairoli has confirmed his participation in the 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. The 36-year-old, nine-time world champion will line up for the first two rounds of the US MX series, the 2022 Fox Raceway One Motocross and the 2022 Hangtown Motocross, as part of the Red Bull KTM team.

Getting the Italian to the United States has been an interesting path. Although Cairoli stepped away from full-time competition in the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2021, an 18-year run of wins and titles, he made it clear that the urge to race has not gone away. The rider lined up for the Paris Supercross in November, a competitive exhibition considering his limited SX experience, and was said to be a potential fill-in for Jeffrey Herlings at Red Bull KTM for the opening rounds of the 2022 MXGP season, a scenario that did not pan out. Speculation that he’d line up for the AMA series, if only for a handful of rounds, was intensified after Red Bull KTM signed Marvin Musquin to a Supercross-only contract, though the two things are not directly related. 

Cairoli’s press release quote laid out his expectations, saying this is more about the experience than it is the championship, but he still expects to be in the mix. “For me there is no pressure to perform and I’m not going there with the same preparation as I would have had for a world championship but I’m taking it seriously and would be looking for good results,” reads the KTM PR. “I know this will generate some interest and it will be great to travel, see some friends and enjoy my time.”

It sounds like Cairoli will spend a fair amount of time in the US to prepare for the races, as he will need to adapt to the differences of the US-spec 450 SX-F Factory Edition, and we’ve learned he’s looked for accommodations in Southern California.

All of this leads to two questions: First, how will Cairoli adapt to the conditions, schedule, and racing of Pro Motocross? The rider has experience with the one-day race while his on-bike skills will be interesting to see in action among the 450 Class.  Second, how full will the Red Bull KTM rig be this summer? The team plans to have Webb-Plessinger-Vohland for all twelve rounds, Cairoli for at least two, and maybe Jeffrey Herlings, should the ongoing recovery from an ankle injury and Austria allow it.

Nine times world champion and MXGP legend Tony Cairoli will line-up for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in the 450 MX gate for the opening rounds of 2022 AMA Pro Motocross in California this May/June.

The Italian will fulfil a small ‘bucket list’ wish by turning his attention to the high-profile American national series and is initially set for appearances at the Fox Raceway National at Pala and the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento on May 28th and June 4th respectively. The 36-year-old stepped away from full time Grand Prix racing at the end of 2021 after a glittering career in which he became the second most successful athlete in the history of the sport.

Cairoli will feel the heat of competition again with his #222 KTM 450 SX-F; he used a previous edition of the motorcycle to claim the 2017 MXGP World Championship. He also accumulated six titles with the KTM 350 SX-F and earned the remarkable distinction of winning at least one Grand Prix every season during an era-defining 18 years at the highest level of MXGP and MX2.

Tony Cairoli: “It’s exciting to finally confirm that I will be racing in the U.S. To ride and race in America is something I always wanted to try. I like the look of the tracks. For me there is no pressure to perform and I’m not going there with the same preparation as I would have had for a world championship but I’m taking it seriously and would be looking for good results. I know this will generate some interest and it will be great to travel, see some friends and enjoy my time.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director: “It’s a big pleasure for us to finally reach the stage where Tony is able to race again and to attempt one of his ambitions. Our Red Bull KTM structure means we can be fully ready for him in the U.S. and can give him all our support. Tony is an icon and still an important part of our racing program and it feels like this is the least we can do to pay back all the wins, the titles and the stories he has made with us for over ten years. I think it will also be cool for the American motocross fans to see some of the special talent that made Tony one of the best riders in world championship history.”

Ian Harrison, North America Red Bull KTM Team Manager: “We couldn’t be prouder of having a rider and a person like Tony in our awning. He’s a true legend of the sport and one of the best riders of the modern era. His achievements are matched only by the impact he has had around the world. We know he’s been preparing to race out here, and we’ve also been readying everything to give him the best amount of support. As we saw right up until the end of 2021 MXGP he is still extremely competitive, so I think that will be exciting for the fans in the U.S. to watch him in action.”