(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team goes into the MXGP/MX2 season with a very strong line-up of factory riders who are fit, motivated and 'Ready to Race' in the 2015 season.
The factory team has been a powerful force in the paddock in past seasons and has taken successive word titles in MX1/MXGP since 2010, and in MX2 since 2008.
This makes them natural targets as other teams and riders turn up the heat, hoping to be able to put the brakes on the 'Orange Army'.
Heading the MXGP lineup is eight-times world champion Antonio Cairoli, World Champion in the senior class since 2009 (and with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing since 2010).
Cairoli, who is known and admired for his riding style, race craft, tactics and consistency has kicked off his season well by securing both the MX1 and Elite class title at Internazionale d'Italia Motocross, the popular and very competitive 3-race pre-season series.
In 2015, Cairoli, a Red Bull athlete, is again on the light and nimble KTM 350 SX-F and naturally has his sights set on securing another title.
"I will try to do as good as I can and to be on the podium every weekend. I love my KTM 350 SX-F and I am looking forward to the Qatar race. I like the conditions there under lights. As always there are a lot of guys that are going to fight for the title this season but I am very motivated. Riding my bike is my life. The fun I have when riding keeps me motivated," Cairoli said heading into the 2015 season.
Meanwhile the talk around the track in the pre-season has been about the upcoming battle between Cairoli and the American Ryan Villopoto, who is racing MXGP this season after being the dominant rider in the US in recent years. The faceoff between these two great riders is not only highly anticipated; it will also certainly inject more thrills and excitement into the 2015 season.
Returning to racing MXGP after a 2014 that was marred by injury is Belgium's Ken de Dycker who was looking powerful and very confident, especially at the final round of the Internazionale d'Italia in Ottobiano.
Following corrective surgery at the end of 2014, Ken, also a Red Bull athlete has had a successful preparation for the 2015 season and is happy to be putting his injury problems behind him. He is committed to go for top MXGP results and will continue to rider the KTM 450 SX0-F.
Britain's Tommy Searle completes the MXGP factory lineup. He raced in the MX2 factory team in 2007-08, finishing second in the championship each time, so his return is a welcome 'homecoming'. Searle has been impressive in pre-season preparation according to MXGP factory team boss Claudio de Carli who says he has 'matured as a rider and as a person'. He finished second to Cairoli in the Elite class of the Internazionale d'Italia and is very excited about riding with KTM and on the 350 SX-F.
"I have made a few good races and I have a good feeling with the team and the bike," Searle said. "With this bike I have now it gives me everything I need to be upfront."
De Carli says he has good expectations for all of his three MXGP riders. Cairoli's long time personal manager is confident that he will be fighting for his ninth world title in 2015.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.