Rockstar Suzuki’s Clement Desalle topped both motos of the very wet Valence International Motocross in France. Photography by Suzuki-Racing.com
As the 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship draws near, riders are sharpening their skills at pre-season international motocross events. Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s Clement Desalle dominated the scene in France at the Valence International Motocross while Red Bull KTM’s Tony Cairoli took top honors before his home crowd in Italy.
Heavy rain during the Valence International MX made for muddy and one-lined conditions. Desalle was able to capture the holeshot and lead the charge in the first heat from start to finish aboard his RM-Z450, but the second heat was a little more difficult for the Belgian rider.
“With this weather and this track the starts were super important,” Desalle said. “I got a really good start in the first heat and could lead from start to finish. The second race was a bit more difficult when I was in third, but Paulin made some mistakes so I could get through, and that was basically the same with Boog, but it’s good to win here for the fourth time.”
Desalle was joined on the overall podium by Xavier Boog (3-2) and Shaun Simpson (4-3) who finished second and third in France, respectively.
Red Bull KTM’s Tony Cairoli topped the three-round Italian International Motocross Championship aboard his KTM 350 SX-F. Photography by S. Taglioni/KTMimages.com
The Italian Motocross Championship – the Internazionale d’Italia Motocross – came to a close over the weekend with the final stop of the three-round series at Italy’s Ottobiano circuit. Red Bull KTM’s Tony Cairoli took the win aboard his KTM 350 SX-F, garnering him the MX1 and Elite class championships.
Cairoli bested Yamaha’s Jeremy Van Horebeek for the win in the wet and sandy conditions. Yamaha-mouted Romain Febvre rounded out the podium in Ottobiano, also finishing third in the championship behind Horebeek, who carded second in final points.
“I had three good races on three different and very difficult tracks,” said Cairoli. “It is very good preparation for the World Championship. It starts early this year so I am not 100% in shape, but that’s no problem; we will be ready.”
Riders have one more pre-season international motocross event next weekend in Mantova, Italy (February 21) before the start of the 2015 MXGP season. The FIM Motocross Grand Prix series kicks off in Qatar on February 28, where Cairoli, Desalle and the rest of the world championship’s best are set to take on Ryan Villopoto.
