I was fortunate enough to attend Antonio Cairoli’s retirement announcement last year in Rome. While he explained that his career was winding down, he also made it clear he wasn’t done riding motorcycles. He said testing for Red Bull KTM would be on his agenda, but then also mentioned the possibility of racing some Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship races in the U.S.
Oh really?
There’s a long bridge from turning a September announcement into actual races in May, but now KTM has announced that the nine-time world champion 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.
The press release states that he’s racing two races only, the opening rounds at Fox Raceway at Pala and then Hangtown near Sacramento. What if he were absolutely on fire and carrying the red plate after those two rounds? Would KTM really send him home?
You never know. Here’s KTM’s PR below.
Tony Cairoli To Make Ama Pro Motocross Debut This Summer
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.”
This is exciting news, as U.S. fans have only caught “AC222” in action on a handful of occasions with U.S. hostings of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, and some USGPs. As Harrison stated in the PR, although Cairoli is now 36, he proved he was still capable of winning races on the GP circuit in 2021. There will now be two questions that will be answered at these two opening races. First, how current has Cairoli stayed with his riding, training and other prep coming into these races? Second, how will his form adapt to U.S. tracks, racing and weather?
Oh, well there’s one other question looming. While Cairoli made his intentions to race in the U.S. clear last year, another situation has developed due to the pre-season injury to Jeffrey Herlings, which has put his MXGP title defense on hold. Rumors have persisted that Herlings, now essentially out of contention for this year’s MXGP crown, could instead turn his attention on the AMA Pro Motocross circuit. The answer there will likely come down to Herling’s health as he tries to return from a foot injury. Fingers are crossed that both KTM stars give U.S. racing a shot this summer, but even if Herlings can’t line up, the prospect of Tony Cairoli on the gate as a wild card “I wonder how this is going to go?” candidate only makes this next season that much more intriguing.
![Antonio Cairoli’s 450 SX-F race machine.]()
Antonio Cairoli’s 450 SX-F race machine. KTM ![Antonio Cairoli]()
Antonio Cairoli KTM ![Antonio Cairoli]()
Antonio Cairoli KTM ![Antonio Cairoli]()
Antonio Cairoli KTM
