Interview with Tony Cairoli, Ktm team manager: the future, young people and the federation

Lorenzo Baroni and Matteo Solinghi

May 27, 2023 ( edit May 27, 2023 | 2:41 pm)

– Ottobian (PV)

It continues on Saturday 27 May 2023 Ridin’ Smokethe two-stroke cross festival dedicated to all lovers ofoff road old-fashioned organized by the journalist Adelio Lorenzin within the prestigious track of theOttobiano Motorsport, in the province of Pavia. Among the guests of this event, which marks the debut in Europe of Straight Rhythma highly successful American format, is also there Tony Cairolithe nine-time motocross world champion and current team manager of KTM in the World Cup. With him, during the interview given to the microphones of Motor Gazettewe talked about the Lombard event and the return of the 2-stroke, its role in the circus world champion and the situation relating to young Italians.

How do you see this type of event?

“It’s a very nice and futuristic event, with so many things that will surely excite all 2-stroke lovers who, lately, had “vanished” a bit, given that 4-strokes have now taken over somewhat. this type of event is very nice and, as I said before, this new American format of Straight Rhythm is also very spectacular and will certainly entertain the public”.

You too started with a 2-stroke that we still see very present in enduro, especially in extreme (less so in cross). It almost seems that there is a second youth for this engine, even if, here in Ottobiano, there are above all some vintage vehicles.

“Yes, certainly the 2-stroke is a lot of fun. Then let’s say that the noise, the smell of petrol and oil is what fascinates all nostalgic enthusiasts. In enduro it’s making a comeback, in cross even if you make a category aside, because if you put it in competition with a 4-stroke it will certainly still start at a very disadvantageous”.

Let’s talk a little about your role as manager of the KTM team in the World Championship. How is it, what do you like and what are you learning from your new experience? And what, on the other hand, is it useful to do for a former driver?

“It’s a new thing, I certainly still have a lot to learn. Coming from a season in which, however, I raced in America (in the Ama Pro Motocross, ed). Immediately disconnecting and moving on to something completely different, with the management of so many people, is not an easy thing. In 2023 we’re getting a lot of satisfaction, especially in the MX-2 class, because in the MX-GP class we have Herlings who has a lot of experience and who certainly doesn’t need any teaching. In the MX-2 class, however, there is Andrea Adamo, also Sicilian like me, who is just a few points behind the championship lead. It’s a nice surprise, we’re working very well and the other two guys are also doing very well.”

Let’s talk about training. How important is it to continue with this kind of activity and how useful can this also be for other riders or in the development of a motorcycle and its components?

“I always keep trained because I like it anyway. In terms of suffering and training, it’s something I would do even if I didn’t play the role of tester. This is because you always have to be fast and keep fit, also because if one tries the motorcycle at 50% then it will never be able to provide the necessary information to get to the front”.

The last aspect concerns young people, starting with “your” Adam. How do you see the Italian cross and the world championship in the future and what advice do you feel like giving both to the youngsters and to the Federation?

“The Federation is working very well. We have brought out some good young riders both in MX-GP, with Guadagnini who did some fantastic races together with Forato, and in MX-2, with the aforementioned Adamo who remains close to the championship lead. We also have some good young riders in the European Championship, so I think the wave of good riders is coming and that this can bear good results in the coming years.”