Pirelli Dominates the Motocross Grand Prix of Netherlands at Valkenswaard

Pirelli Dominates the Motocross Grand Prix of Netherlands at Valkenswaard

Antonio Cairoli Takes Third Consecutive MXGP Class Victory to Extend Championship Point Lead, While Jorge Prado Returns to Win MX2 as Thomas Kjer Olsen Keeps the Red Plate

VALKENSWAARD, The Netherlands (April 1, 2019) – The historic Valkenswaard circuit in The Netherlands hosted the Dutch Grand Prix and the third round of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship. On the hard bumpy sand of the Dutch track, Pirelli-equipped riders were able to count on the excellent drive and traction of the front SCORPION™ MX32™ Mid Soft and the rear SCORPION™ MX SOFT. These tires allowed the racers to ride at their best on the demanding circuit.  

In the MXGP class, Antonio Cairoli left little hope for his opponents throughout the weekend. The nine-time World Champion was fastest in free and timed practice, won the qualifying heat on Saturday and both heats on Sunday, extending his lead in the standings to 22 points. Despite a fall in race 1, Tim Gajser finished the Grand Prix in third place and is runner-up to Cairoli in the Championship. Privateer Jeremy Van Horebeek continued his impressive riding by finishing fourth and tying on points with Gajser.

Jorge Prado was back in action in the MX2 class after his shoulder injury and won both heats. The Spaniard took control at the start of both heats and led wire-to-wire. Thomas Kjer Olsen was runner-up and still maintains his lead in the championship standings. A strong performance by Calvin Vlaanderen placed him fourth overall after he tied on points for third, followed by Henry Jacobi who was fifth overall.

The 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship  will continue next weekend with the Grand Prix of Trentino to be hosted by the “Al Ciclamino” circuit in Arco di Trento.   

Race results (Pirelli riders in bold):   

MXGP race 1 

1. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA) 2.DESALLE Clement (BEL) 3. PAULIN Gautier (FRA) 4.JASIKONIS Arminas (LTU) 5. VAN HOREBEEK Jeremy (BEL)   

MXGP race 2 

1. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA)  2. GAJSER Tim (SLO) 3. VAN HOREBEEK Jeremy (BEL) 4. JASIKONIS Arminas (LTU) 5.DESALLE Clement (BEL)   

MX2 race 1 

1. PRADO Jorge (SPA) 2. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN) 3. JACOBI Henry (GER) 4. VLAANDEREN Calvin (NED) 5. WATSON Ben (GBR)   

MX2 race 2 

1. PRADO Jorge (SPA) 2. GEERTS Jago (BEL) 3. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN) 4. VLAANDEREN Calvin (NED) 5.WATSON Ben (GBR)   

GP Overall:   

MXGP 

1. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA) 2.DESALLE Clement (BEL) 3. GAJSER Tim (SLO) 4. VAN HOREBEEK Jeremy (BEL) 5. JASIKONIS Arminas (LTU)   

MX2 

1. PRADO Jorge (SPA) 2. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN) 3. GEERTS Jago (BEL) 4. VLAANDEREN Calvin (NED) 5. JACOBI Henry (GER)   

Championship overall:   

MXGP 

1. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA) p.147 2. GAJSER Tim (SLO) p.125 3.DESALLE Clement (BEL) p.103 4.PAULIN Gautier (FRA) p.102 5. VAN HOREBEEK Jeremy (BEL) p.102 6. JASIKONIS Arminas (LTU) p.92   

MX2 

1. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN) p.136 2. JACOBI Henry (GER) p.113 3. VLAANDEREN Calvin (NED) p.107 4. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA) p.100 5.WATSON Ben (GBR) p.95 6. VIALLE Tom (FRA) p.86 

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ABOUT PIRELLI

Pirelli was founded in Milan in 1872 and today stands as a global brand known for its cutting edge technology, high-end production excellence and passion for innovation that draws heavily on its Italian roots. With around 30,000 employees, Pirelli is a major player in the tire industry and the only global player focused solely on the Consumer tire market, which includes tires for cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Pirelli is now concentrating on High Value tire markets, delivering innovative tires and developing Specialties and Super Specialties for its comprehensive product portfolio. Pirelli has a long link with motorsport and it sustains its technological excellence by bringing innovations developed within the motorsport arena into its consumer products. The company currently supports over 460 car and motorcycle sport events and has been the exclusive tire supplier to the Formula One™ World Championship since 2011. Such a strong presence in motorsport enables Pirelli to transfer a series of avant-garde solutions to its day-to-day operations providing the final consumer with the maximum levels of performance and safety.

Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA) services North America through its Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) facility and research and development center at its Rome, Georgia headquarters, its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Silao, Mexico and its New York City, Montreal and Mexico City sales and marketing offices. The company manufactures, distributes and markets original equipment and replacement tires for export and domestic car/motorcycle applications (US, CA, MX) and Agro/Heavy Truck platforms (MX).

For Additional Information Please Contact:

Scott Roegner

Pirelli Moto Communications and Media Relations

North America Region

Tel: 949-365-5750

Mail: motopress.nafta@pirelli.com  

Emily Grannis

Marketing Director, Moto BU

North America RegionTel: 706-331-1585

Mail: emily.grannis@pirelli.com