Slaw Dog
The home nation for this year’s Motocross of Nations, Italy, has named a strong squad, led by nine-time World Champion Antonio Cairoli, who will represent the team in the MXGP class.
Despite being third in the FIM World Motocross Championship and in the thick of a title chase, Cairoli has opted to represent his country at home.
Mattia Guadagnini, currently second in the MX2 World Championship, will represent the team in MX2. Veteran Alessandro Lupino will contest the Open class. Lupino is currently ninth in the MXGP World Championship.
Giovanni Copioli, FMI President: “Finally we will return to attend the Motocross of Nations, one of the most intense and exciting competitions for both the public and the riders. I sincerely thank the teams and our guys who have enthusiastically accepted the call despite the fact that this year the Trophy does not run at the end of the season, as has always been the case, but in the midst of the challenge for the World Championship. The MXGP and MX2 rankings say that, on paper, we have one of the best formations and I am sure that the riders will give their best to confirm the values demonstrated in the first part of the season”.
Thomas Traversini, FMI Technical Commissioner: “Ours is a very competitive team, as demonstrated by the results obtained so far by the riders. Once again they have shown a strong attachment to the Blue Jersey by making themselves available, together with their teams, to represent our country. Cairoli and Lupino are experts, they know perfectly how to run this competition. Guadagnini is on his debut, but he has already played many national team competitions at a youth level. Given the excellent relations that the Italian athletes have between them, there will certainly be a great team spirit, fundamental in these events”.
The 2021 Motocross of Nations is set for Mantova in Italy on September 25-26.
Main image: KTM Images
