Cairoli, Prado Top MXGP Season Opener
W
ith defending MXGP
Champion Jeffrey Herlings
watching from the sidelines with
an injury, Antonio Cairoli (Red Bull
KTM) was the favorite to win the
first MXGP of the 2019 season at
the MXGP of Patagonia in Argenti-
na, March 3, but it wasn't an easy
weekend by any means for the
nine-time champion. Saturday's
Qualifying races left him on the
far outside gate after not finishing
due to a bike issue on Saturday.
When the racing kicked off
Sunday Cairoli's KTM was back
better than ever, and despite
having a less-than-desirable start
position, the Italian had the lead
by the end of the first lap and
would never let it go. He took the
checkered flag 6.3 seconds clear
of Honda's Tim Gajser, followed
by Saturday's top qualifier Ro-
main Febvre (Yamaha), Clement
Desalle (Kawasaki) and Gautier
Paulin (Yam).
In the second moto, Cairoli had
to work a little harder but he again
came away with the moto win and
the overall victory. Cairoli started
off fifth but slowly worked his way
up to the front, eventually pass-
ing leader Febvre, as did Gajser.
Cairoli then had to fight off the
Honda rider for the rest of the
way, which he succeeded to do,
taking the checkers 2.4 seconds
ahead of Gajser.
Jeremy Van Horebeek (Honda)
was the next rider to cross the
finish line but well back of the two
riders ahead of him.
Max Anstie (KTM) and Paulin
rounded out the top five in the
moto.
So Cairoli started off the
season with a perfect 1-1, while
Gajser went 2-2 for second over-
all. Van Horebeek was awarded
third overall with a 5-3. Desalle
was fourth overall and Paulin fifth
IN
THE
WIND
P38
Toni Cairoli runs
down Romain
Febvre en route
to the MXGP win.
PHOTOS: RAY ARCHER
