Pirelli Sweeps Motocross World Championship Season Opener in Argentina

Pirelli Sweeps Motocross World Championship Season Opener in Argentina

Antonio Cairoli Wins Both MXGP Races To Grab The Red Plate, While Jorge Prado Tops The MX2 Class

NEUQUEN, Argentina (March 4, 2019) – The beautifully landscaped Neuquen track hosted the Grand Prix of Patagonia-Argentina for the opening round of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship. Outstanding results were achieved by the Pirelli SCORPION™ MX32™ Mid Soft front and the SCORPION™ SOFT rear tires that were chosen by the majority of the riders in the MXGP and MX2 classes. On the sandy volcanic soil, the products allowed Pirelli to sweep both podiums (MXGP and MX2) with its riders.

Nine-time World Champion Antonio Cairoli dominated the MXGP class. Despite suffering a DNF in qualifying, and starting the opening moto with last gate pick, he was able to manage two excellent starts and won both races, finishing the race day with maximum points. Tim Gajser was second in both motos and finished as runner-up. Faithful to the slogan "we sell what we race, we race what we sell", Pirelli also took the third step of the podium thanks to privateer Jeremy Van Horebeek and thus swept the MXGP class podium with three different motorcycle brands.

In the MX2 class, reigning champion Jorge Prado laid down the law. The Spaniard won both races and was the clear fastest rider of the field. Behind him was a strong second place for Thomas Kjer Olsen, who won the Saturday qualification heat. It was also an impressive performance for Mitchell Evans who, on his World Championship debut, took the third step of the podium. Calvin Vlaanderen and Henry Jacobi finished fourth and fifth overall on equal points (the same as Evans with only the second moto result determining the outcome) for an MX2 top five completely branded by Pirelli. 

The riders and teams will be back on track March 23-24 for the second round of the season - the Grand Prix of Great Britain, which will be hosted at the Matterley Basin circuit. 

Race results (in bold Pirelli riders): 

MXGP race 1

1. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA)2. GAJSER Tim (SLO)3. FEBVRE Romain (FRA)4.DESALLE Clement (BEL)5. PAULIN Gautier (FRA) 

MXGP race 2

1. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA)2. GAJSER Tim (SLO)3. VAN HOREBEEK Jeremy (BEL)4. ANSTIE Max (GBR)5. PAULIN Gautier (FRA) 

MX2 race 1

1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA)2. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN)3. JACOBI Henry (GER)4. VLAANDEREN Calvin (NED)5. EVANS Mitchell (AUS) 

MX2 race 2

1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA)2. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN)3. EVANS Mitchell (AUS)4. VLAANDEREN Calvin (NED)5. JACOBI Henry (GER) 

GP Overall: 

MXGP

1. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA)2. GAJSER Tim (SLO)3. VAN HOREBEEK Jeremy (BEL)4.DESALLE Clement (BEL)5. PAULIN Gautier (FRA) 

MX2

1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA)2. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN)3. EVANS Mitchell (AUS)4. VLAANDEREN Calvin (NED)5. JACOBI Henry (GER) 

Championship overall: 

MXGP

1. CAIROLI Antonio (ITA) p.502. GAJSER Tim (SLO) p.443. VAN HOREBEEK Jeremy (BEL) p.354.DESALLE Clement (BEL) p.335. PAULIN Gautier (FRA) p.326. JASIKONIS Arminas (LTU) p.26 

MX2

1. PRADO GARCIA Jorge (SPA) p.502. KJER OLSEN Thomas (DEN) p.443. EVANS Mitchell (AUS) p.364. VLAANDEREN Calvin (NED) p.365. JACOBI Henry (GER) p.36 6. WATSON Ben (GBR) p.29

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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