VOLUME 58 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 P29
championship, and all along the
way, actually. There have been
many faces and names and of
course all the excitement and
love from the fans. I have felt
very much part of the KTM family
from day one and we will con-
tinue our work and relationship
together, but now in a different
way. There is a lot more to do
in life after 2021 but for now our
goal is very clear."
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports
Director, said, "Our story started
in an impressive way because
when Tony came to KTM when
we still hadn't won a title in the
premier class and we were also
developing the KTM 350 SX-F,
so it's like there were two chal-
lenges to conquer! To then win
five consecutive championships
and establish the 350 concept
was a big milestone for us.
"Over the years, the relation-
ship became closer and the
friendship grew even more. A lot
of our success both in the U.S.
and in MXGP arrived because
of those first years with Tony
and the belief that he had in us
and the vision for the future. It's
something we didn't forget and
we won't forget."
Robert Jonas, VP of Motor-
sports Off-Road, said, "We're
immensely proud to have been
such a major part of Tony's
career story and to have con-
tributed so much to one of the
best motocross racers the sport
has ever seen. When we first
started working together with
a motorcycle that was almost a
gamble for the highest level of
the world championship at that
time, I don't think we could have
imagined the success that would
come, and just how deep Tony
was able to make his impres-
sion on MXGP. He has fans all
over the world and some of the
biggest are right here in the fac-
tory. It will be strange not to see
that orange #222 on the track
next season but his passion for
riding and his experience will still
be big assets for us. The story
doesn't quite end here."
CN
Six of Cairoli's nine
championships have
come with KTM,
including his early
days on the 350.
