We normally set aside a bit of time towards the end of each season to speak with Tony Cairoli. For special reason, as the Italian has been all-conquering with two brands and a new motorcycle in the last three years…
Here is a snippet of the interview. To read more click here…
Tony Cairoli launched himself into world championship stardom in 2004 with a series of electric starts, a large dose of flamboyance, natural talent in abundance, an edgy character (small Sicilian boy trying to make his mark) and barely passable English. Today as a wealthy multi world champion who is versatile as a racer, mellow and accessible as a person, he is a powerful symbol of motocross.
You achieved your goal of becoming the most successful Italian motocrosser some time ago. Where does the motivation come from now to make the sacrifices to stay at the top?
Race after race and year after year you find something new and exciting. It might be a new fast rider that you like to battle with. I know Desalle was the strongest this year but next season it might be Frossard. In the winter when you are training and then go into pre-season you see some people taking big victories at internationals…and it is motivating to try and beat them. My speed was more or less the same as last year and it wasn’t my goal to improve this. I wanted more consistency instead. That was my objective and I have been on the podium a lot this season. In the beginning it was hard because I had a knee injury and it was quite painful. I was struggling in the first races and it wasn’t a good part of the season, mentally or physically. I was eighth in the standings after the first GP! After a month and a half I was able to start having fun again and get on my beat.
So what is the next challenge?
My goal is to bring motocross –at least in Italy – to the next step, to the level of Superbike. There is a growing interest in the media for motocross and I want to bring more visibility to the sport. To do that I need to win, enjoy the races, be close to the fans and do the media work. I find that all of this motivates me. I like this work, playing this role and doing public relations and events. I love it when it is busy and crazy and there lots of people around at the races. I can handle doing lots of things on the weekend and I am not like some other riders who need to be very quiet. I don’t really care; I just like to be around the people.
But maybe an Italian winning AMA races would boost the sport in Italy even more…
If you talk about Italy then I think there is a following for America but it is just a different championship. Somebody also has to do the job here.
Do you see an end? Ricky Carmichael retired at 27 having done everything…
At the moment I don’t think about it. I always feel like every season is only my second or third! I love to travel and go to the races. For me if you are not injured then the season is not heavy. It is like being on holiday in a way because I love to ride and I like to get around and see places. It is an amazing feeling to win a race. I think I am very lucky to ride motocross. I just ride for fun. If I want to train one day then I do it, if I don’t then I won’t. I don’t care about schedules I just ride my way. It has worked until now so I will carry on.
But what about the demands of keeping in shape, keeping discipline…?
I eat everything anyway. I listen to my body and I do what I want. There is some gym work during the winter but I generally don’t work on my body. It is all about the bike, and then some running and cycling. I like to do fitness training but if I don’t want to do it for one, two or three days then I don’t.
You are quite lucky then…
Yes…but if I need to do more to succeed then I will. I know I can push more and work on my speed more but I am also aware that an injury can be around the corner.
To read the rest and see some great Ray Archer pics click here
