Tony Cairoli’s impressive pre-season continued in Noto but he didn’t have it all his own way

Red Bull KTM ruled national motocross races across Europe yesterday with Tony Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings and Pauls Jonass all tasting victory as the successful pre-season period continued for the KTM factory outfit ahead of the MXGP season opener in Argentina on March 4.

Cairoli was the undoubted main draw in the second round of the Italian series, taking place in the world champion’s homeland of Sicily at the hardpack Noto circuit. Cairoli finished second in MX1 and then first in the Supercampione race and continues to lead the competition with one round to run, at Mantova next weekend.

“I’m happy because it was a difficult race on a sketchy track,” said Cairoli. “[Romain] Febvre found a way to pass me through the backmarkers in the first moto and I couldn’t get him back – it was hard to pass here. In the second moto we managed to attack the leaders after the first three or four laps and took the win – I was really happy with that and am already looking forward to next weekend.”

Mantova, and the final major International fixture before the first of 19 MXGP races at Neuquen in Argentina – La Capelle-Marival in France – next Sunday will be the last engagement for the Red Bull KTM crew before all thoughts turn to South America.

Internazionali d’Italia – Noto Supercampione top five

1. Tony Cairoli, Red Bull KTM
2. Romain Febvre, Yamaha
3. Alessandro Lupino, Kawasaki
4. Ivo Monticelli, Yamaha
5. Alvin Ostlund, Yamaha