Video/Text via Off Road Media

The 2018 racing season has been officially opened today in Riola Sardo. After two windy and rainy days, finally the nice weather arrived and the 105 riders, divided in three categories, could race spectacular and exciting manches in front of about 5.000 spectators coming from allover the island. Great success also for the live streaming on Facebook and on the website that scored more than 200.000 views during the day.

MX1

After having realized the 24MX fast lap in the timed practice, Antonio Cairoli takes also the Just1 Holeshot in the MX1 race. From that moment the World Champion made a lonely ride till the chequered flag. Behind him, a consistent Max Anstie, while Jeremy Van Horebeek takes the lowest step of the podium at the last lap, passing Paulin Gautier. Fifth and sixth classified respectively Romain Febvre and Shaun Simpson, in front of the old lion Tanel Leok. Great debut in MX1 for Jeremy Seewer, who gains the eighth position during the last laps against Alessandro Lupino. Top ten is completed by Arminas Jasikonis, at his debut on Honda. At the start, one of the protagonists went out of the race: Jeffrey Herlings felt down at the first corner. A contusion for his shoulder made him go directly to the box.

MX2

First official race even for the MX2 protagonists on the spectacular Sardinian circuit. The best one has been the Australian rider of Honda, Hunter Lawrence, who raced aggressively, paying attention to the difficult sand of Riola. At the second place a great Pauls Jonass, had to recover positions after a mistke in the first part of the race. It’s not easy to pass on this circuit, mainly used for trainings, but the 2017 MX2 World Champion did not give up on his KTM Factory and gained a very important result, that keep him among the fighters for the Internazionali d’Italia Title. The podium has been completed with the Honda HRC rider Calvin Vlandereen, while the Just1 Holeshot gained by the young Danish Mikkel Haarup, at his debut on 250.

Elite

It wouldn’t have been for two laps, at half race, when Cairoli reduced the pace, allowing Anstie and then Febvre to pass him, the story of Supercampione Final will have been the same of MX1 race. The nine times World Champion has leaded since the start, winning the Just1 Holeshot and racing on a pace, impossible to keep for everyone else. After the first two corners, Cairoli had already created the gap respect to his followers: Max Anstie, Van Horebeek and Febvre. At half race his advantage was already consistent, but Cairoli reduced his rhythm till to be third in a short time, behind the new leader Max Anstie and Romain Febvre. The alarm was promptly solved, when Cairoli begins again to race at full rhythm and newly takes  the lead in two laps, going fast towards the final victory.

Max Anstie, thanks to his speed and great feeling with the bike, confirmed himself overall second placed. Behind him the two Yamaha Rinaldi mates: very determined was Febvre, third classified, followed by Van Horebeek in fourth position. Fifth place for Paulin Gautier, after a difficult start, while the MX2 first rider is Pauls Jonass, who finished in sixth position.

Italian motocross championship

Round 1 — Riola Sardo, Italy

MX1 Overall

FINISH	RIDER
1st	Antonio Cairolli
2nd	Max Anstie
3rd	Jeremy Van Horebeek
4th	Gautier Paulin
5th	Romain Febvre
6th	Shaun Simpson
7th	Tanel Leok
8th	Jeremy Seewer
9th	Alessandro Lupino
10th	Arminas Jasikonis

MX2 Overall

FINISH	RIDER
1st	Hunter Lawrence
2nd	Pauls Jonass
3rd	Calvin Vlaanderen
4th	Alvin Ostlund
5th	Michele Cervellin
6th	Roan Van De Moosduk
7th	Bas Vaessen
8th	Maxime Renaux
9th	Guiseppe Topepe
10th	Samuele Bernardini