Few names in motocross command as much respect as Antonio Cairoli. A nine-time world champion and one of the sport’s all-time greats, the Italian icon may have stepped back from full-time racing, but his influence on the paddock remains as strong as ever. Now playing a key role in Ducati’s ambitious motocross project, Cairoli finds himself balancing development duties, mentoring riders, and still flirting with the idea of lining up behind the gate—whether in the U.S. or on the world stage.
We caught up with Cairoli opens up about his recent trip to America, working alongside top teams stateside, and the ongoing evolution of Ducati’s MXGP programme. He also discusses the challenges facing the team’s current riders, the possibility of future race appearances, and how—at 41—his passion for the sport continues to burn just as fiercely as ever.
GateDrop: Antonio, you’ve recently been in America. What was that like to be back there? It looked like you were doing plenty of laps at the Bam Bam facility. Did you enjoy it?
Cairoli: Yeah, for sure, we enjoyed it. We are continuously developing things, collaborating and sharing information with the team in America and the team here. It was a great time testing things on the bike.
GateDrop: Everything is pretty new in America as regards Supercross anyway, but actually pretty good. I think Dylan got his best result recently with a P5… You must have been happy with that… Good progress for sure!
Cairoli: I mean in America the team is one of the best that there is in America. Factory Connection has done amazing things in the past and they know how to work, you know. It’s good for our brand also to get some information from them and share it.
GateDrop: Do you know yet if you’re going to race any AMA Nationals?
Cairoli: Yeah, we are still deciding. The will is there for sure and I really enjoyed last year even riding with a standard stock bike. But this year for sure the bike, we are getting more performance. We will have more performance on the bike and I think that will help also with the starts and everything. It will be interesting and let’s see if we can make it happen.
GateDrop: I think you’re 40 years old now, is that right?
Cairoli: I’m 41 now.
GateDrop: 41, jeez, and you’re still so fast. I would have loved to see you racing out there today. Although such a hard-packed track, you’re probably glad you’re not racing. But is there any chance we could see you do a GP this year or not?
Cairoli: Yeah, I’m not a big fan of this track though. Even if I rode good here in the past, you need to be really, really fit, let’s say, to ride this kind of sketchy condition. Today was quite hard pack and there were some sketchy things around to do. But yeah, it’s not in my mood at the moment to do any MXGP races. But of course, when you’re here in the atmosphere and everything, you miss a little bit. But it’s not really the case at the moment.
GateDrop: You raced the Motocross des Nations last year. Would it be a goal for you to go for Italy again this year? Or is that something you’re not really thinking about? Obviously, if you do well in America for the AMA Pro Motocross, you never know…
Cairoli: Last year was not on the plan. Of course, there are guys who ride all year, but you never know. Because the Nations is a strange race. If somebody gets injured or somebody is not performing well and you yourself are performing better. I think an examination doesn’t depend so much on if you deserve to race or not. You need to take the best team available at that moment to try to do the best for the team. It’s not that if you’re old or if you’re young, you don’t need to be in the team or if you’re young, you need to be in the team. It’s a race that you need the guy who is experienced. Last year, people were talking around asking why did you race? You know, political stuff, this and that. Because none of that was actually going on. I was just the guy at that moment that was deserving more of the place. Unfortunately, I was injured in the first moto. But on Saturday, we were good. We were in front, battling the Tomac and stuff like that. I think it’s not that we have to do some things because somebody is saying it. It’s just because I think we need to get the best team at the best moment at the right time.
GateDrop: Just on Ducati and the GP’s this year, it’s all changed. It was Maddii running it for two years, but one year in the GPs. This year, it’s Louis Vosters. What are the differences there? Are there many differences between Vosters and Maddi?
Cairoli: Yeah, of course. I mean, there is always difference between teams. One Italian team, the other one is a Dutch team. The organization is different and everything. Of course, being in Holland, it helps a lot, of course. Because on the tracks, we need to group a lot and it’s easier with the team now. I think everybody is really pumped about that. Let’s see if we can improve.
GateDrop: In terms of Vosters, has he got free reign just to do whatever he wants? Or is it a combination between Ducati and him making the correct decision?
Cairoli: No, actually, it’s always easy to relate to the factory – it doesn’t matter if it’s Maddii or Vosters. We are open to hear advice from anybody who has the rights to say things so we work together.
GateDrop: In America, I think the guys are using a Factory Connections setup. Would there be a chance that GP guys would go the same route? I think they’re running Showa t the minute – or is it Showa to stay?
Cairoli: No, no. I mean, of course, if I race any races over there, I mean, I’m with a team of factory connections, of course, which are redesigned. But if I race over here or something, I would be with a Ducati team. It’s just I’m running mostly the spec of the USA bike and that’s also what I’m riding here. So, it depends on that, we still have to decide and also to see what fits better for my riding style, which kind of configuration.
GateDrop: Have the GP riders tried that setup? Or are they sticking with Showa?
Cairoli: No, no… They are also trying whatever is better. We only want what’s better. It’s on the bike of the rider to perform better.
GateDrop: And two new riders for Ducati in MXGP, Andrea Bonacorsi and Calvin Vlaanderen. It is early days. I think especially in the sand, it looks a bit better. I was at the Dutch Masters and they were going pretty well. Vlaanderen had a good couple of races in the sand…
Cairoli: Andrea is coming from an injury, but we know him. He’s a young guy, he’s fit and he’s trying hard. Calvin also is a guy who is really always putting in a lot of effort whenever he’s on track. So this is what we like. Of course, they come from two different brands and Ducati is a different bike. Even with the Desmo system, you need to adapt. You need time to know the bike good and see where you can find good improvements. I think they need some time, but overall they are riding quite well.
GateDrop: Quite a difficult question. Jeremy Seewer, he’s obviously not at this best, from your point of view, what do you think he’s struggling with? Are you working together to try and see the best version of Jeremy Seewer again?
Cairoli: Yeah, for sure. Jeremy is not performing nearly what he can show. He’s a great rider, of course, and he’s struggling a bit. I think also with his riding style, it’s tough to fit a bike like the Ducati is at the moment. I think we will have some updates for him that will fit better his riding style and his confidence will build up again. Let’s see if this this four week break will help him to be better.
GateDrop: Well, there has been rumours he might be going to America, but from your side, are you happy to keep him? Is it unlikely he’ll be moving to the AMA Pro Motocross? It’s probably just rumours…
Cairoli: Yeah, for sure. We would like to keep him because he’s a great rider, of course, and we know that he’s struggling a bit with some things. I think we are really all in the back of him and trying to find the best solution for him. We went to America to try different things, also to help the guys here to see if we can find a better flow around the track.
GateDrop: What age is Chase now?
Cairoli: He is six.
GateDrop: What’s he like on a bike? He seems to ride plenty with you. Does he enjoy it, first and foremost, and is he alright at it?
Cairoli: He rides quite a lot, mostly every day, I take him to the tracks and stuff like this. He likes it a lot, he’s more into Enduro at the moment. He likes to go around and do enduro loops and stuff, not so much riding motos with the Motocross, but he’s still too young to decide whatever he wants to do.
