The Italian motocross fans got to see their hero Tony Cairoli up close for the first time this season as the MXGP of Trentino kicked into life at Pietramurata in Italy. And they weren’t disappointed.
Cairoli gave the devoted motocross fans exactly what they wanted to see, an Italian in pole position.
While in MX2 class it was the new face of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen who will have first gate pick today.
WMX Race 1 provided great action for the all the fans and an even better result for the Italian fans as they saw Kiara Fontanesi edge out the competition.
Watch: WMX Trentino Race 1 highlights
Kiara capitalised on the fall of points leader Courtney Duncan. Courtney, however, fought her way back to second followed by Nancy Van De Ven.
EMX250 Race 1 had more bar banging action with Simone Furlotti coming out on the top spot. Behind Furlotti the battle for second between Morgan Lesiardo and Ken Bengtson lasted all the way to the last corner where Morgan came out ahead.
See also: EMX250 Trentino Race 1 highlights
MXGP
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tony Cairoli started the MXGP Qualifying Race with the holeshot and followed it up with an impressive win after leading every lap.
Cairoli has not only the support of the Italian fans but also the added pressure, and after yesterday’s performance, he is now in the best position to win today.
In the post-race press conference, the Italian said: “If it’s possible, I will try to take the win in front of the home crowd tomorrow, but it’s always difficult, and the most important thing for me is to be consistent.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin had another good start this season, second behind Cairoli but ahead of points leader Tim Gajser. Paulin had the fastest lap of the race showing that he is on par with the Trentino pace of Cairoli and Gajser.
Team HRC’s Tim Gajser found himself an unfamiliar position as of late which was anything but the lead. Gajser kept Gautier within striking distance the entire race and looked as if he was going to make a charge on the last lap, but in the end, he settled for third.
For Gajser this is one of the closest GPs to his native Slovenia, with many Slovenian fans and media making the trip he finds himself in a good position to impress tomorrow.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre showed he had the top level pace as well putting in some very fast lap times on his way to a fourth-place finish. Febvre had a good start but will look to improve it for Sunday as the competitiveness of the class makes moving forward from a bad start a challenge.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl finished out the top five in qualifying Race. Nagl was one of the few riders who made his way past riders, most notably points contender Clement Desalle for the top five position.
For Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle qualifying session was likely not as productive as he would have liked after being in the top five for the early stages of the race and then being pushed out by Max Nagl. Desalle has done well here in the past though and he will use his sixth gate pick to hopefully provide another impressive result.
Championship points contender, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s, Jeremy Van Horebeek finished in seventh spot after showing some great speed early in the race. Van Horebeek has done well at the prior two GPs and he will try to keep the momentum today.
Watch: MXGP of Trentino Qualifying highlights
MXGP of Trentino – MXGP Qualifying Race Top 10
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 25:05.215; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:02.621; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:03.916; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:05.934; 5. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:09.486; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:16.871; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:33.806; 8. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:37.425; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:39.399; 10. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:44.407.
MX2
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen scored the first qualifying race win of his professional career. The 2016 EMX250 champion is showing he has what it takes to compete in the MX2 World Championship.
Olsen made his way past Jorge Prado Garcia for the lead early in the race and he remained there until the chequered flag was out.
In the post race press conference, Thomas said: “It feels really good getting a qualifying win, its great. I felt the best I have felt all year out front being just able to focus on my lines. It’s a confidence boost.”
Red plate holder, Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer, qualified second, despite falling while trying to make a pass on Samuele Bernardini.
He is already off to a better start to the weekend than his seventh qualifying position in Leon, which he later followed with a second overall. Seewer looks comfortable and very fast in Pietramurata.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado Garcia came out looking much improved from a difficult Leon. Prado led the first few laps and finished third, setting up a good chance to win his first race of the season.
The Italian native, HRC MX2’s Michele Cervellin, didn’t just grow up just a stone’s throw away from here but he impressed today with his best result on the World championship stage, finishing fourth. Cervellin looks to keep the career best results coming.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Pauls Jonass battled in the lead group, which had some intense bar-to-bar action, before finally finishing in fifth position.
MXGP of Trentino – MX2 Qualifying Race Top 10
1. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Husqvarna), 23:39.305; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:04.224; 3. Jorge Prado Garcia (ESP, KTM), +0:06.897; 4. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Honda), +0:11.179; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:14.103; 6. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), +0:14.974; 7. Thomas Covington (USA, Husqvarna), +0:18.172; 8. Julien Lieber (BEL, KTM), +0:20.375; 9. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), +0:23.795; 10. Darian Sanayei (USA, Kawasaki), +0:24.655.
