Antonio "Tony" Cairoli (born 23 September 1985) is an Italian professional motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 2002 to 2021. Cairoli is notable for winning nine FIM Motocross World Championships.[2] He was also a member of the winning Italian team at the 2021 Motocross des Nations. He retired from fulltime racing in 2021 but had a comeback at the 2024 MXGP of Arnhem (Netherlands) racing for Ducati celebrating their debut of being an official MXGP racing team.[3]
Life and MXGP Career
Antonio was born in Patti, Sicily. He began his motocross Grand Prix career in 2002 riding a Yamaha.[4] He and his wife Jill Cox split their time between Rome, Italy and Lommel, Belgium, where he is training.[5]
2004
In his debut MX2 season, Cairoli rode to a third-place finish in the championship with a maiden GP win at round 12.
2005
Tony won his first of two MX2 titles in 2005 with six wins and nine podiums.
2006
Cairoli ended 2006 second in the MX2 World Championship.
2007
Tony dominated the MX2 field in 2007, securing 10 wins from 15 Grand Prix's (missed round 14) as well as 13 out of 14 podium finishes. This led him to his second MX2 World Motocross Championship.
2008
Cairoli in 2008 at the GP of England
Cairoli was unable to defend his MX2 championship, mainly due to missing five rounds because of injury.
2009
Cairoli claimed the 2009 FIM Motocross World Championship, on his last year at Yamaha[6] This was his first premier class title. He ended the season with four GP wins.
2010
Tony successfully defended his MX1 world championship in 2010. Riding for the Red Bull Factory KTM team, as well as being the first since Stefan Everts in 2006 to defend the MX1 championship. He added another eight GP wins to his record.
[7]
2011
Tony Cairoli at the GP of Loket in 2011
Cairoli won his third consecutive MX1 title in 2011 with six Grand Prix victories.
2012
On 5 August 2012, in Czech Republic, he won his 50th GP in the MX1 World Championship.[8]
Cairoli defended the MX1 title for the fourth time. He ended the season with 11 GP wins from the 15 rounds he raced.
2013
Cairoli at the 2013 Motocross des Nations
In the 2013 MX1 season, Tony Cairoli continued his dominance in the Motocross World Championship. Riding for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, Cairoli displayed exceptional skill and consistency. He secured multiple victories throughout the season and defended the MX1 World Championship title for the fifth time, further solidifying his status as one of the premier riders in motocross.
2014
In the 2014 MXGP season, Tony Cairoli continued his remarkable performance in the premier class of the Motocross World Championship. He showcased consistent excellence, securing multiple victories and podium finishes. Despite facing tough competition, Cairoli's skill and determination prevailed, and he successfully defended his title, winning the MXGP World Championship for another consecutive year.
2015
Cairoli at the MXGP of France in 2015
Cairoli's streak of six MXGP World Championships came to an end due to injury. He ended the season seventh.
2016
Cairoli in 2016 at the MXGP of Switzerland
Coming off an injury sustained in 2015, Cairoli battled to a second place championship finish.
2017
Cairoli at the GP of Valkenswaard, 2017
At the age of 32, 2017 was the year in which Cairoli was able to clinch his ninth MXGP World Championship, with six Grand Prix wins.
2021
Cairoli announced his retirement from motocross on September 14, 2021.
2022
After his retirement from full-time professional racing, Cairoli announced he would be visiting the United States to race the AMA Motocross Championship for select rounds which included Fox Raceway, Hangtown, Thunder Valley, High Point & Budds Creek. His best result was a fifth at Thunder Valley.[9]
2024
Celebrating his comeback and Ducati's debut at the motocross world championship, Cairoli raced at the MXGP of Arnhem (Qualifying: 7th, Race 1: 15th).[10]
After his full time racing career ended, Cairoli took up the role of team manager of the Red Bull KTM Factory team and oversaw their efforts in both MX2 and MXGP.
Cairoli left KTM in 2023. He later revealed he had joined the new Ducati motocross program. In his role, Cairoli will report directly to Ducati Corse director Paolo Ciabatti and assist in the development of Ducati's motocross bikes and the efforts of both MXGP and AMA riders under the Ducati banner, with the first Ducati motocross motorcycles being ready to race in 2025.
1From 1957 to 2002 500cc is the premier class. 2003 top class named motocrossgp which combine the top driver from 500cc and 250cc last year.2004~2013 MX1 and 2014 to today MXGP is the premier class,both use the 450cc 4 stroke bike.
1From 1962 to 2002 the MX-2 world championship was named the 250cc motocross world championship. 2In 2003 250cc 4-stroke machine was allowed to race in 125cc which convert to the new MX2 class later.
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