For a hefty stretch of the weekend in Kegums, it looked as though MXGP World Champion Tony Cairoli’s decision to move into MX2 with the works 250SX-F was an excellent one. An easy pole position with speed, confidence, and joy were evident in his first serious outings on the quarter-litre since 2008. In the first moto he quickly caught up to the leaders on the 450s and seemed to make light work of cutting through to threaten Max Nagl for third place. It then all went wrong through the waves section and the champion of MXGP at the Nations for the last two years was down with a painful right knee (ironically the joint reconstructed during the 2008 MX2 championship, his last campaign in the category). Cairoli’s wildly contrasting fortunes at the Nations continued. He seems to either win or crash. In 2005 he hit the floor in Ernee, 2006 won at Matterley Basin and in 2007 sunk at Budds Creek. He had an epic victory against Chad Reed in 2009 but then a scary start straight collision in the second moto. He broke his wrist in 2011 in France while ’12 and ’13 were resolute victories on the 350SX-F.
We grabbed TC222 while he had his leg up with a tea towel full of ice on the knee right after the third and final moto in Latvia.
Racer X: It could have been an amazing weekend with the speed you had on the 250.
Tony Cairoli: I know… my choice to ride the 250 was good. We [Italy] are sixth now, and that is with some bad results! I am disappointed about the crash for sure but I had to give it all and try to win. I was the one who always has to try and pull the pin. I was feeling great and not getting tired. I was pushing and pushing. I was close to [Max] Nagl and had some roost coming up to the last table top before the waves. I didn’t go for a tear-off and my vision was not so clear. I went into the ruts and I hit one with my left foot and it took it away from the pegs. I tried to save it and almost did but then came up to the next wave and started to fly. In the beginning I didn't really know what was going on and then started to feel some pain on my right knee. After a while I got going again and tried a couple of jumps, but I was not sure about it. So I had to stop and get some ice and then taped up. After half an hour it was getting cold and stiff. The beginning of the second race was very hard and I had to warm-up, go easy, and then concentrate on the points. It was important to finish the race.
What happened when you hit the gate in the second moto? Was that an MX2 rookie mistake?
No, I just wanted to get away as soon as possible! I knew I had two 450s to my right and on the inside and I wanted the jump to try and close them off. I knew with my knee the way it was I would have to get away well. Anyway, it was a terrible start and I was last.
The crash was strange because you have been so strong in that section here in the Grands Prix. It is where you frequently have made time or passing moves.
Maybe I was going too fast. I was very quick there and gaining a lot of time on the guys in front. Perhaps it was too much. My mistake.
Earlier there was a really nice clutch pass on Van Horebeek. You really looked like you were having fun.
Yeah. I felt even better on that bike than the 350 because I can do different stuff. I was feeling great and without any of the pressure that sometimes I have in the GPs. It was cool and a nice experience.
It would be worth removing the 23-age limit on MX2 so you can drop down and take on Herlings next year.
Ha! I don’t know. 350, 450 I really don't mind. We have a new 350 for next year, and I hope the knee is not too bad so that in two weeks I can test the bike for next season. We have made some really big improvements and I might have even more fun on the 350.
Your current race bike is still based heavily on the original 350 model from 2010, so how do you feel about changing things up for 2015?
Excited, actually, because I have already ridden the new bike, and I see a lot of good points. I’m honestly looking forward to riding and working with it more.
So the plan now is testing and holidays? You also have some bike shows and movie launches coming up [“Tony Cairoli the Movie” gets a select theatrical release].
Yeah. I’ll rest the knee, get the tests done, and then have a break. At the end of November I’ll probably start riding again. We have some parties to do! We’ll have some fun in the off-season even if there is a lot going on with promotion and projects. It is still good for the sport that we can do this stuff.
Lastly, it seems Ryan Villopoto is closer than ever to MXGP. You commented before how that would provide good motivation. What’s your current view?
For sure it is great to have someone like Ryan coming to Grands Prix. He is one of the greatest of all time in America. It would be so good to fight with him and for the championship through the year. I hope we will have some good races.
