MXGP Insider No.17 – Wrapping Up Early?

David Bulmer

Welcome to our weekly web-exclusive column, Transmoto’s MXGP Insider. Penned each week by Vurbmoto’s David Bulmer, the MXGP Insider will present the story-behind-the-stories of the European motocross scene.

We are now two thirds through the Scandinavian part of the Motocross World Championship, and it really couldn’t have gone too much better for Red Bull KTM’s Antonio Cairoli. The Italian has won three of the four races, and has extended his points lead from 51 points before Sweden to 82 right now. After last year’s problems, things have gone pretty much perfectly as the nearest challenger, Gautier Paulin, hasn’t been seen on the podium at all, in motos or Overalls. Another good weekend in Finland, and he could well be wrapping up yet another MX1 championship even earlier than expected.

Speaking of wrapping up championships, Cairoli’s teammate Jeffrey Herlings isn’t slowing down at all, and now could be partying after Loket – an amazing six motos before the end of the year. Despite his domination, the Dutch prodigy is determined to remain in MX2 next year after the recent ruling, as he feels that he is too young to be riding the big 450s. Although that is probably true, one can’t help but wonder if KTM and a whole bunch of money is also keeping him from challenging Antonio Cairoli, and denying fans a real battle. Of course, KTM want to keep their hands on both titles so it makes sense for them to split their best riders, but from a fan’s perspective, it sucks. At least he’ll be staying on the GP scene, after quashing the rumours that he’ll head stateside, but even then, that’ll deny him going up against Baggett, Cianciarulo and Webb in 2014. Who knows, maybe an MX2 rider will really step up to the plate next year, but if they don’t, pencil in Herlings for his third crown. And in another move that sucks, he’s pretty much said that any MX1/125 excursions at Lierop are off the table, because he is concentrating on winning every MX2 Overall, being Everts’ record.

Other interesting rumours going around the pits are the futures of both Clement Desalle and Tommy Searle. It seems Clement may be looking at rides away from the Suzuki rig, and even possibly in America after a year which hasn’t seen the Belgian progress much. There is also talk he may join Paulin with the factory Kawasaki team, but that is a position that Searle may be after, with vultures circling over the future of the CLS outfit. After some really strong rides recently, Searle has opened some eyes in the GP paddock and a step-up in the factory team would be just-reward.

Someone who has secured their place under the KTM factory awning for the next two years is Ken de Dycker. He is seen by many as the perfect under-study to Antonio Cairoli, and after being in motocross wilderness a few years ago, it’s been an amazing recovery.

Now though, we’re headed to Finland and to the track at Hyvinkaa. It should be interesting to go to a new track, and see how good the Finns are at hosting a GP. Word on the street is that the weather could be bad, so fingers crossed that isn’t true…