Cairoli goes 1-1 in Italy

Antonio "King" Cairoli once again proved what experience means as he went 1-1 to close down the MXGP points lead by Jeffrey Herlings to just 12 points going into the two GP’s in Indonesia in two weeks’ time. The nine-time world champion made the most of the DNS of Herlings (out due to injury) in Italy and also picked up his 85^th Grand Prix victory and his second of the season.

It was Cairoli of old as he showed the competition how to race the deep sand, and like he has done so many times before, when the season gets into the serious half, he starts to put the pressure on.

"Yes," Cairoli said. "It was a good race again just a small mistake in the second moto, I stalled the bike and crashed, too high in the gears, I tried to ride smooth, and yesterday I used a lot of energy and I was a bit tired. It was good for the championship. I wanted to put a gap in the second moto and was pushing and I fell, but I know this track is tough an its hot and I tried to come back. Tim was strong, but I passed him."

Second overall was Gautier Paulin 4-3 and third Max Anstie with 3-4. The two Husqvarna riders looking to try and climb up the points ladder.

"Actually," Paulin said. "To be honest it was hot and rough and I liked it. I was feeling good, two bad starts and close to crashing in both motos, but I came back really strong, and to finish second on the podiums is good. You need to dig deep an I want to congraulate my team-mate being on the podium."

"I know," Anstie said. "It is awesome to be back up here and worse start of the season I have had. Coming into the year and literally bang, bang, bang, but its not to be up here and be in the race. I want to give it up to the people around my, James Dobb is here trying to help me out and the team has done a great job.

Kevin Strijbos led the second MXGP moto early, then Cairoli and Desalle, then came Coldenhoff, Gajser, Lupino, Nagl, Febvre, Monticelli, Paulin, Anstie, Simpson, Seewer, Waters, and Irwin 15^th. Cairoli quickly into the lead, and Strijbos holding off Desalle for second. Waters quickly into 12^th place.

Gajser moved past Coldenhoff, who dropped back to 8^th place, and Nagl from seventh to fifth place. After a lap the lead was 2.5 for Cairoli, followed by Strijbos, Gajser, Desalle, Nagl, Paulin, Febvre, Coldenhoff, Anstie and Monticelli. Waters down and way back in 27^th place.

Cairoli made a small mistake, crashed and dropped back to fourth, and Coldenhoff continued to have trouble as he dropped back to ninth and the Brits struggling with Anstie ninth, Simpson 16^th and Searle 17^th.

Strijbos in the lead and once again putting in a solid ride in the sand. Strijbos of course won at Lommel a few years ago. Cairoli quickly into third and hunting down Strijbos and Gajser.

Gajser went past Strijbos for the lead and Cairoli was also onto the Belgian veteran and on lap four went into second place. Cairoli on fire as he put a lot of pressure on Gajser.

After four laps the top ten was Gajser, Cairoli, Strijbos, Paulin, Nagl, Febvre, Anstie, Desalle, Seewer and Van Horebeek.

Cairoli moved into the lead and just took off, ala Herlings the last few months. The Italian looking to pull back the points lead by Herlings even more. Desalle down hard in the whoops and nearly hit by Seewer, and way back now in 16^th position.

Waters out of the race, and after seven laps the top ten was Cairoli, Gajser, Strijbos, Paulin, Febvre, Anstie, Seewer, Nagl, Van Horebeek, and Coldenhoff.

Cairoli wins the moto, and the Grand Prix.

MXGP - Grand Prix Race 2 - Classification

1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 34:38.105; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:03.560; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:08.496; 4. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:16.600; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:19.628; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:32.708; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:35.614; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:46.022; 9. Maximilian Nagl (GER, TM), +0:52.311; 10. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Suzuki), +1:01.851; 11. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +1:04.561; 12. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +1:05.134; 13. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:09.592; 14. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +1:16.511; 15. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:38.009; 16. Graeme Irwin (GBR, KTM), +1:40.526; 17. Tanel Leok (EST, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 18. Erki Kahro (EST, KTM), -1 lap(s); 19. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 20. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), -