Tony Cairoli To Race AMA Pro Motocross
Cycle News Staff | April 21, 2022
The AMA Pro Motocross Championship is already heating up before we’ve even crowned a champion in the Supercross series. Rumors of Tony Cairoli coming to America to race the Outdoors were confirmed this morning in a press release from KTM saying Cairoli “is initially set for appearances at the Fox Raceway National at Pala and the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento.” This big announcement comes after the 36 year old and nine-time MXGP world champion announced his retirement from grand-prix racing at the conclusion of last year’s season. With Cairoli officially making the jump over to the US, it begs the question if KTM teammate Herlings will follow suit. The press release can be read below.
Tony Cairoli has his eyes set on an AMA Pro Motocross debut. Photo: KTM
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 the 2022 AMA Pro Motocross Championship 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.
The #222 will pit with the US riders under the KTM tent. Photo: KTM
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 17 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.”
Cairoli celebrates his 94th Grand Prix win at round 16 in Italy. It was one of two MXGP wins in 2021 to go along with a win in the Motocross of Nations. It will be interesting to see if he can add an AMA Motocross win to his list.
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.”
