Published on 6 May 2016

Cairoli: World championship is faster than America!

Antonio Cairoli has said that the World Championship is the premier motocross championship in the world and that the last Motocross of Nations results prove that the European riders are faster than the Americans.

Of course it is a lot harder for “Europe” to win the MXDN when they don’t actually have a team and the three best European riders are split into different countries. But despite that disadvantage, a small European country has sensationally managed to beat the might of the USA despite America’s obvious advantage in the race for the last four years.

In addition, America’s best rider,Ryan Villopoto, had a harder time than many expected in the world championship, giving Cairoli a greater basis for saying the World championship is the premier motocross series in the world.

Speaking to Geoff Meyer, Cairoli said: “We see the last years at the MXoN that Europe is faster than America, and that is a good thing for me. I think the world championship is the best championship and we see the last years we are stronger.”

While many riders on the GP circuit are afraid to get in the debate, American riders (and media) have never been afraid to say their national championship series is better than the world championship, but Cairoli has been the exception to the rule, always standing up for the prestige and diversity of the world championship. When asked about racing an AMA National in the past, Cairoli responded with, “why don’t they race here?” The Italian clearly believes the world championship is the place to really prove yourself as the best motocross rider in the world as opposed to a national championship.

You can read the full interview with the eight-time world champion, who discusses his start to the season and the speed of Gajser and Febvre,here.