Image: Supplied.

MXGP world champion Antonio Cairoli picked up where he left off at the end of last season by winning the opening round of the Italian championship at Riola Sardo in Sardinia.

Cairoli won the MX1 moto and the combined ‘Supercampione’ moto in an impressive start to 2018 that will lead into the new grand prix season.

“The first race of the season is always difficult, simply because it’s the first one!” Cairoli commented. “But we had a good weekend. We are still testing some parts for the GP season and the Italian championship is always a good time for this. We’re looking forward to the next few races.”

Cairoli won the MX1 class from Max Anstie (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Jeremy Van Horebeek (Monster Energy Yamaha), while the feature race saw him top Anstie and Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Yamaha). Second of the Red Bull KTMs, Jeffrey Herlings, crashed out in the MX1 race.

It was also a strong weekend for Australia’s Hunter Lawrence in his Team Honda 114 Motorsports debut, victorious in MX2 ahead of world champion Pauls Jonass (Red Bull KTM) and Calvin Vlaanderen (Team Honda HRC).