IN
THE
WIND
P32
CAIROLI, DESALLE STAR IN PRE-SEASON MX
A
s the 2015 FIM Motocross
World Championship draws
near, riders are sharpening their
skills at pre-season international
motocross events. Rockstar En-
ergy Suzuki's Clement Desalle
dominated the scene in France at
the Valence International Moto-
cross, while Red Bull KTM's Tony
Cairoli took top honors before his
home crowd in Italy.
Heavy rain during the Valence
International MX made for muddy
and one-lined conditions. Desalle
was able to capture the holeshot
and lead the charge in the first
heat from start to finish aboard
his RM-Z450, but the second
heat was a little more difficult for
the Belgian rider.
"With this weather and this
track the starts were super im-
portant," Desalle said. "I got a re-
ally good start in the first heat and
could lead from start to finish.
The second race was a bit more
difficult when I was in third, but
Paulin made some mistakes so I
could get through, and that was
basically the same with [Xavier]
Boog, but it's good to win here
for the fourth time."
Desalle was joined on the
overall podium by Xavier Boog
(3-2) and Shaun Simpson (4-3)
who finished second and third,
respectively, in France.
The Italian Motocross Champi-
onship—the Internazionale d'Italia
Motocross—came to a close over
the weekend with the final stop
of the three-round series at Italy's
Ottobiano circuit. Red Bull KTM's
Tony Cairoli took the win aboard
his KTM 350 SX-F, garnering him
the MX1- and Elite-class Champi-
onships.
Cairoli bested Yamaha's Jer-
emy Van Horebeek for the win
in the wet and sandy conditions.
Yamaha-mounted Romain Feb-
vre rounded out the podium in
Ottobiano, also finishing third in
the championship behind Hore-
beek, who carded second in final
points.
"I had three good races on
three different and very difficult
tracks," said Cairoli. "It is very
good preparation for the World
Championship. It starts early this
year so I am not 100 percent in
shape, but that's no problem; we
will be ready."
Riders have one more pre-
season international motocross
event next weekend in Mantova,
Italy, (February 21) before the
start of the 2015 MXGP season.
The FIM Motocross Grand Prix
series kicks off in Qatar on Feb-
ruary 28, where Cairoli, Desalle
and Ryan Villopoto will take on
the rest of the world.
Jean Turner
Rockstar
Suzuki's Clement
Desalle (25)
topped both
motos of the
very wet Valence
International
Motocross in
France.
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
SUZUKI-RACING.COM
