THE MAKING OF ANTONIO CAIROLI
It’s fair to say Antonio Cairoli’s career, as spectacularly successful as it has been, is all too often overlooked or underappreciated.
It’s hard to know why this is; perhaps because MXGP doesn’t get the coverage AMA motocross does outside Europe given the native languages vary so widely across the riders and the media that covers the series. Maybe it’s because he isn’t a gregarious character prone to controversial statements like Stefan Everts was.
It’s hard to say why certain things move the needle in different parts of the world but barely rate a mention in others. As hard as it is to imagine a world without easy and frequent access to a schnitzel, you won’t find many people who know what a schnitty is in Thailand, let alone get hold of one. Cairoli is rarely referred to in the States or in Australia where most of the commentary about the true greats, be it in the media or at the pub, centres around American riders.
In European motocross circles, Cairoli is a god. He’s a fan favourite through not only years of domination but also years of dedication to those fans. And the years are stacking up, with AC finishing his
