Mixed results for Ducati in MXGP debut

Nine-time world champion Antonio Cairoli finished with a mixed bag of results in Ducati’s first MXGP appearance in the Netherlands.

Cairoli lined up for his first Grand Prix in three years in a bid to collect data for Ducati as it continues development of its new Desmo450 MX.   

But the Italian rider didn’t quite match the form that won him nine world titles, finishing 18th overall after two motos around the challenging Arnhem sand track.

His qualifying race on Saturday saw him finish seventh after riding much of the duration in fourth place, but things didn’t go as well on Sunday.

In Race 1, Cairoli had bad start and finished fifteenth at the chequered flag. Race 2 saw the Italian as high as ninth, but a mechanical issue forced him to retire after six laps.

Despite the misfortune, Cairoli was positive about the prospects of the Desmo450 MX after the race.

“Our goal was to test the Desmo450 MX in extreme conditions, and I had very positive feelings,” he said. “In the qualifying race, we got a very good seventh place, which is a fantastic result for such a young bike.

“After three years away from the GPs, it was definitely not an easy race for me, especially on a difficult track like this.”

Ducati was also upbeat about the performance, saying in a press release that “the Arnhem race allowed Ducati engineers to collect other valuable data on difficult sand to support the development of the Desmo 450MX”.

Local KTM rider Jeffrey Herlings was the overall Dutch GP winner, winning both races ahead of reigning champ, Jorge Prado (GASGAS).

Honda’s Tim Gajser leads the title race ahead of Prado with four rounds remaining, but Herlings’ recent form has seen him rocket back into contention.