After a remarkable 18-year motocross career, including nine FIM World Championships and 93 Grand Prix wins, Italy’s Antonio Cairoli will call it quits at the end of 2021.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing icon will move into an ambassadorial role with the KTM factory for the foreseeable future.
He is in the running for a 10th FIM World Championship title this year and he has amassed 93 GP victories and 177 podiums to-date.
Cairoli (pictured here celebrating as he won the MX2 world crown in 2007) announced his plans at a special press conference alongside KTM management in Rome.
The likeable Italian will bring down the curtain on a glittering world championship career in which he has become statistically the second most decorated rider in the history of the sport and the greatest racer from his country to have thrown a leg over a motocross machine.
Italy’s Antonio Cairoli announced his plans at a special press conference alongside KTM management in Rome. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
Importantly, Tony gave KTM a first premier class crown in 2010 (his fourth in all and second in MXGP).
He followed the achievement with a further five titles.
Together with Claudio de Carli and his loyal technical crew, Cairoli has been a mainstay of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, image and development program since that first 2010 season.
He has won at least one Grand Prix in all his 18 terms.
Currently, Cairoli is still very much in the mix for a coveted 10th FIM World Championship title.
Prior to this weekend’s FIM MXGP of Sardegna (ITA), Cairoli has accrued one win and five podium finishes from the nine rounds of 2021 MXGP.
He is third in the standings and only 29 points from the top of the table.
Cairoli’s contract extension with the KTM family means that the Italian will provide his expertise in various segments and potential future endeavours within the KTM group, all with the aim to continue developing the sport of Motocross for all audiences.
“This is not an easy decision,” said Cairoli.
Antonio Cairoli, pictured here representing his country at the Motocross of Nations in Germany in 2013 (when Team Italy finished third). Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
“I’ve always said that numbers and statistics did not mean that much to me. I think it was an achievement for me and my family to win one world championship so to have had a career like this is very special. I feel that it is the right time to stop.
“Everything around me makes it seem like the right decision, and we are still trying to win the title this year, so the motivation is high for this challenge.
“I want to thank all those who have helped me and supported me since I came to the world championship, and all along the way actually.
“There have been many faces and names and of course all the excitement and love from the fans. I have felt very much part of the KTM family from day one and we will continue our work and relationship together, but now in a different way.
“There is a lot more to do in life after 2021 but for now our goal is very clear.”
The 2021 calendar is due to finish with the Grand Prix of Mantova on 10.11.2021. After this event, Cairoli will remain very much part of the KTM family and part of the KTM race department activities.
MXGP – 2021 World Championship Top 10 Classification after 9 rounds:
- Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 355 points; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 327 p.; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 326 p.; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 321 p.; 5. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 315 p.; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 249 p.; 7. Pauls Jonass (LAT, GAS), 231 p.; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, YAM), 212 p.; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), 182 p.; 10. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 143 p.
© Photos by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
Find BikesportNZ.com on FACEBOOK here