Tony Cairoli rules British MXGP for 93rd career victory in Matterley Basin

MXGP of Great Britain: This weekend took the second Grand Prix of the 2021 Motocross World Championship at Matterley Basin.

MXGP

Antonio Cairoli extends GP-winning career to 19 successive years while 3rd spot and second podium in a row for Jeffrey Herlings.

Tony Cairoli: “I actually enjoyed the second moto more because there was a lot of passing and it was nice to be back in that type of battle. The track was getting nice and it was a good race. I had two fast starts today. The first win felt nice, especially after the disappointment of being so close in Russia two weeks ago. We lost a lot of points then but today was positive and I enjoyed myself. I’m looking forward to racing in Italy now.”

Jeffrey Herlings: “Our goal this year is to make the podium as much as possible. It’s been proven in the past that if you do that almost every weekend then you’ll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season for the championship. Both motos were OK, nothing too impressive. I don’t have the speed yet. I can do it in the morning for one-lap but I don’t have it across the race yet. I’m not far away though and there are some good tracks for me coming up.”

Jorge Prado: “Today was good in some ways but a bit negative with that second moto. I was struggling with the track from the morning and how flat it was. I knew the start would be important for me. I had the holeshot but made a small mistake and Tony came past. That was actually pretty good because he was riding really well: I could stay behind him and he pulled me along. Physically I felt strong in the second moto, which is positive for the next few races, but I didn’t have the feeling with the bike or the set-up. It was too difficult for me to turn, open the gas and go with the others when they were full-on. I was too slow, even taking some risks. So, we need to look at that. We will keep working. It will come. I’m in the right place.”

MX2

Mattia Guadagnini scores maiden podium finish and moto win with 2nd overall in MX2 while Tom Vialle misses the Grand Prix with right hand injury.

Mattia Gaudagnini: “I’m so, so happy. I knew from Russia that I was riding well. My starts were good and I was feeling great with the bike and on the track in the first moto. I had a lot of fun battling for P2. I had the goal to be at the front in the second race and made it happen. I did my own race. I focused on the moto like I was training and tried not to think of the GP. I couldn’t be happier than I am now.”

Rene Hofer: “It was a bittersweet day. I messed up the start in the first moto and had a small crash in the second lap. Unfortunately I couldn‘t restart the bike quickly. I still finished the race but all chances for a podium finish were gone of course. It was a shame because I felt really good and I just love Matterley. So, for the second moto I was really motivated and pulled a good start. I was in P2 for a long time and had some really nice battling with the French guys. The track was amazing and allowed a lot of line choice, so it was a super nice and with P3 I took the second top-three moto finish of my career. I ended the day on a good note and that‘s why we’ll go with big confidence to the next round in Maggiora. Thanks to the team for all the effort: it‘s good that we bounced back in the second moto!”

Tom Vialle: “I had a crash training on Wednesday with another rider that hit me head-on. I’m annoyed because it was not my fault. I’m a bit injured but it’s not so bad. I think I need just a few more days. I had pain and we wanted to play safe. It was better to miss today and think instead to Italy.”

Motocross World Championship 2021, Round 2 – Matterley Basin (Great Britain)

MXGP
1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM)

3. Jeffrey Herlings (KTM)

5. Jorge Prado (KTM)

MX2
2. Mattia Guadagnini (KTM)

6. Simon Längenfelder (GasGas)

9. Rene Hofer (KTM)

15. Isak Gifting (GasGas)

19. Stephen Rubini (Honda)

23. Gianluca Facchetti (Honda)

DNS. Tom Vialle (KTM)

credits: press.ktm.com and gasgas press center