Even though they didn’t contest the entire MXGP World Championship in 2024, it was still a very successful season for Ducati in their first year in the sport. With Alessandro Lupino they managed to win the MX1 Italian Championship at the first time of asking.
Antonio Cairoli was in Paris so we decided to catch up with him to discuss year one of the project, the signing of Jeremy Seewer for 2025 and much more. You can read, listen or watch below…
GateDrop: Antonio, that is Ducati’s first year in the books, not a full year of racing in terms of the world championship but overall the first time of asking to win a domestic title and it happened with Alessandro Lupino so I don’t think you could really have asked for much more…
Cairoli: No, we are really happy of course because our goal was you know just to make it a great bike on the first year because was a year of development let’s say. Not that we didn’t think about winning but since Alessandro was feeling great, you know they started to complete in the Italian championship. He won it so we were very happy about that because I mean of course the level is not super high but it’s still a good level and Bonacorsi was there a couple of times, he’s a top 10 guy.
GateDrop: What were the expectations for the Italian championship this year obviously it was an unknown factor being the first year but did you expect to win the championship?
Cairoli: No in the beginning for sure we didn’t expect but like I said after one race already we knew that it was possible to fight for it. Alessandro did great.
GateDrop: Have you enjoyed the role, the first year of doing this? Obviously at KTM you were a team manager so I don’t think you rode that much but you’re riding a lot more now, are you enjoying riding again?
Cairoli: Yeah, for sure. At KTM I had the team manager role, of course with this we won the MX2 title with Andrea and I was very happy with that, of course. I still enjoy more riding and this project with Ducati fits very good for me because I can ride a lot.
GateDrop: How did you find your MXGP comeback in Arnhem after I think it was maybe three years, it was a rough rough track as well?
Cairoli: Yeah I found it very very difficult, let’s say because after three years especially not riding that kind of tracks also it was very very difficult. I know I can ride the sand, it was always my favourite soil but with a bike that still needs time and with the guys also for three years that I rode the tracks just a couple of trainings before the race… but we had a good signal let’s say and good speed. The bike of course needs some upgrades to ride up front in that kind of condition but I felt great and it was fun.
GateDrop: I think Jeremy Seewer has been riding the bike for two weeks now just how involved have you been with him and working with him to get the bike setup for him?
Cairoli: No, of course we are all involved with a bit on everything. At the moment the first weeks he is focused a bit more on getting the feeling with the bike and just ride, let’s say. A couple of suspension tests but nothing too serious at the moment, he will increase the testing on the next weeks.
GateDrop: What was his first impression of the bike when he first got on it?
Cairoli: The impression was good I mean he always says that he’s happy with the bike let’s say. Of course it’s a completely different bike than he was used to ride with also with the desmodromic system, maybe he’ll need time to get used to it and these kind of things.
GateDrop: He was based in Belgium/Netherlands the last years when he was a factory Yamaha rider and at Kawasaki… He’s going to be based in Italy now it’s a little bit closer to Switzerland so that’s really good but you can maybe help settle him into Italy?
Cairoli: Yeah, I mean he’s, I think staying more in Belgium as they always do.
GateDrop: Okay, during the season as well?
Cairoli: Also during the season I mean maybe in the winter time a little bit closer to the Maldives racing team of course but I think anyway the best preparation is always to stay in Belgium. I think this is what he’s going to do.
GateDrop: The new 250cc have you rode it yet? When are you expecting to get on it?
Cairoli: No, the new 250cc is actually riding on the on the dynos at the moment but nothing on track. We are waiting to be you know that the bike is going to be ready to be on track. It is probably the beginning of the new season or the new year. Then we’ll start riding and try to see more or less the program is the same as we did with the 450cc this year so the Italian championship on the 250cc. Alessandro will do and some certain races for me also, there is the possibility of the championship. Then in 2026 we will make a bike ready for the MX2 World Championship.
GateDrop: So, in the Italian MX2 championship next year, is it only going to be one rider doing the full championship at the minute?
Cairoli: Lupino is a full part of it and me I can decide whatever I would like to do.
GateDrop: Just on MXGP at the moment, I think there’s five teams leaving the paddock should we be worried about the future in Europe? Do you think the organizers can help? What’s your opinion about it?
Cairoli: I think the organizers can always help. We can see it, you know that a lot of people put a lot of effort in the sport. But of course a lot of other people are leaving the game so I think something needs to be, you know see it better and of course trying to make this sport again really interesting as it was a few years ago.
GateDrop: Perfect thanks for your time and see you next year.
