Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1523001
KTM Locks in GNCC Team F MF KTM Factory Racing and Johnny Girroir will continue together in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series after agreeing to a multi- year contract extension, as will Grant Davis and Gus Riordan as part of the FMF KTM Factory Rac - ing Team Landers program. The 28-year-old Girroir is also the reigning U.S. Sprint Enduro Series Champion and remains unbeaten in his title defense following six rounds. Girroir is also a multiple-time representative in the U.S. International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) World Trophy Team and was a member of the winning squad in Argentina last November. He'll be back alongside teammate Ben Kelley—whose contract already includes 2025—for next season. The FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers pair, Davis and Riordan, will remain in orange after extending their contracts with KTM. CN WIND IN THE P32 The FMF KTM Factory Racing Team signed Johnny Girroir to a multi-year contract. Cairoli Makes Ducati Debut A Winning One N ine-time MXGP World Champion, Antonio Cairoli made his highly- anticipated return to racing aboard the new Ducati Desmo450 MX at round four of the Italian Motocross Championship in Ponte a Egola, Italy, on June 23. Nearly two years after his retirement from professional racing, Cairoli lined up alongside Ducati teammate and eight- time Italian National Champion Alessan - dro Lupino. Early morning rains soaked the Cross- dromo Internazionale Santa Barbara track prior to the first moto of the day. Despite the conditions, both Ducatis of Cairoli and Lupino holeshotted the race and led from the start. The two Italians duked it out for seven laps before the race was eventually red-flagged due to weather. This call gave Cairoli the win aboard the Desmo450 MX. Race two again saw the two Ducatis out front, this time with Lupino leading Cairoli. Another 1-2 sweep saw Lupino take the overall victory, going 2-1 for the day's overall victory. Cairoli finished second in race two and scored second overall for the day. Lupino now leads the championship points with two rounds remaining. "Not the conditions I was expecting for my return to racing, but it was still cool," Cairoli said. "Thanks to all the audience that came despite the rain." CN Antonio Cairoli rode to victory on Ducati's Desmo450 MX prototype in Italy.