An exclusive interview with the MXGP legend who’s vying for an incredible ninth world title in 2016.
By Giovanni Cortinovis on 26 February 2016
After a five-month wait since the end of last season, the first gate drop of the 2016 MXGP World Championship finally takes place this weekend in Qatar.
The anticipation ahead of the floodlit opener at the Losail International Circuit had been building for some time, and not just because it’s the start of a new campaign. Round 1 will also see Tony Cairoli back in action.
The eight-times MX World Champion has missed a crucial part of the build-up to the new season, being forced to sit out three rounds of the Italian series (his usual preparation) following a rib injury in pre-season training towards the end of January.
Added to that the fact that Cairoli’s 2015 season was disrupted by injury, and he’s chomping at the bit to get back to business. We’re excited too, so we caught up with Cairoli ahead of Qatar to hear from the man himself.
[The goal for 2016 is] to win the World Championship...
Tony, how are you physically?
Physically not so good, the ribs haven’t caused me too much trouble but nerve compression in my arm and neck is still giving me some problems.
How prepared would you say you are, physically?
Around 40 percent.
And mentally?
I’d say 90 percent for the most part, sometimes 60 percent, but it depends on how I am feeling physically at that given point.
You’ve renewed with KTM until 2018. That must’ve been a great feeling.
I am delighted to continue my career with KTM. It’s what I wanted. It’s an honour for me to be part of such a great team for the next three years. When you’re riding for KTM good results are expected of course, being consistently in the top three and winning championships.
Ride with Tony at last year’s MXGP of the USA:
You’ve been on the 450 for a year now. How do you feel, and has it changed the way you ride?
No. Of course I have less experience on the larger bike, because I only did a few races last year on the 450 [eight GPs, Ed]. I still have more to learn about this bike, but I’ll definitely feel a lot more confident on it.
What’s your goal for the 2016 season?
To win the World Championship.
Who’ll be the toughest riders you’ll face?
I think the favourites will be Romain Febvre, Clément Desalle and Max Nagl. Close behind them and capable of winning the title, I believe, are Jeremy van Horebeek, Evgeny Bobryshev,
and Gautier Paulin, who had great championships last year. There are a couple of outsiders too, like Tim Gajser and Glenn Coldenhoff.