Antonio Cairoli has stretched out a 52-point lead in the MX1 class. Image: Ray Archer.

The FIM Motocross World Championship moves to the Czech Republic for the 12th grand prix of the season this weekend.

With only four rounds to go, Antonio Cairoli and Ken Roczen will defend the red plate this weekend in Loket and they will try to obtain another double victory in order to increase their advantage over their pursuers.

Red Bull Teka KTM Factory Racing MX1’s Cairoli arrives in Loket after obtaining another double victory in Lommel last weekend.

The four-time world champion has a 52-point advantage over Clement Desalle, so if he is able to repeat his last year’s victory here in Loket, Cairoli will have everything in favour to obtain his fifth world title.

The runner up of the series Desalle also had a very good performance last year in the Czech track, but the Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1’s rider knows that only the victory will keep his chances to keep on fighting for the title.

As his teammate Steve Ramon will not take part in the GP due to the heavy crash he suffered in the qualifying race in Lommel, Kevin Strijbos will be Desalle’s teammate for the remaining four rounds of the championship.

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Steven Frossard is in third position of the MX1 championship, eleven points behind Desalle, so this weekend is a good opportunity for the French to get closer to the top two riders of the series.

Last year, Frossard was the fastest on Saturday’s MX2 time practice in Loket, but he could only obtain an overall of seventh position.

Frenchman Christophe Pourcel will return this weekend in Loket, where he will be aiming for a top five result.

Red Bull Teka KTM Factory Racing MX2’s Roczen missed the overall win last weekend in Lommel, but he showed once more an impressive rhythm on the sand.

The German is now 21 points ahead of teammate Jeffrey Herlings, so he needs a good result in Loket to assure the red plate until the end of the season.

Red Bull Teka KTM Factory Racing MX2’s Herlings arrives in Loket with still some pain on his rib due to an accident he suffered right before the GP of Limburg.

However, the Dutchman already proved in Lommel that he was able to win even suffering from that pain, so he is determined to rider for the win once more in Loket and get closer to the leader of the series.

Last year, Herlings finished third in the first heat in Loket, but he got a DNF in the second one because he injured his shoulder.

CLS Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Tommy Searle is still third in the point standings, but he is 90 points behind the leader, Roczen.