The Ducati MXGP project has taken a hit with the news that Mattia Guadagnini has picked up an injury, ruling him out of action for the foreseeable future. It’s a blow for the Italian brand, who will now be down to just one rider for this weekend’s round in Riola Sardo.
However, Ducati won’t be a one-man team for long. It’s been confirmed that the legendary Antonio Cairoli will step up to race the MXGP World Championship at Arco di Trento – his home Grand Prix and a track that holds special memories for the nine-time World Champion.
Cairoli, now 39, has been heavily involved in Ducati’s MXGP project in a testing and development role. He made a wildcard appearance last season at the Dutch Grand Prix in Arnhem, and now the Italian icon is set to put on the race gear once again in front of his home crowd.
Arco di Trento is a fitting venue for Cairoli’s return, given his history and success at the picturesque Italian circuit. Cairoli’s presence will bring a huge buzz to the paddock and provide valuable feedback for Ducati as they continue to fine-tune their machine at the highest level.
There’s even talk that this won’t be the only race we see TC222 contest this year. A potential appearance in the AMA Nationals later in the season hasn’t been ruled out, and Arco could serve as the perfect preparation for a high-level return to racing on both sides of the Atlantic.
Regardless of what the future holds, one thing’s for sure – seeing Antonio Cairoli back behind the gate is always a special moment in motocross.
Antonio Cairoli “I enthusiastically accepted Ducati’s request to race in MXGP at Pietramurata as a replacement for Mattia Guadagnini, to whom I extend my best wishes for a speedy recovery. Even though I wasn’t expecting to return to racing so soon this year, I will use these few days that separate me from the Trentino GP to train and be in the best possible condition on 12 and 13 April. It will also be the perfect opportunity to greet all my fans and Ducati’s fans on the occasion of the launch of the production Desmo450 MX”.
You can see the video announcement below:
