Image: Supplied.

Attempting to earn a record-equalling 10th MXGP World Championship in 2019, Antonio Cairoli has expressed that this weekend’s opening races at Nequen in Argentina isn’t key to the title hunt, however it is important to build a strong foundation.

Cairoli, who finished runner-up to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Jeffrey Herlings last year, dominated the pre-season events he contested, setting himself up positively for the grand prix season.

“I’ve never had great results in Argentina and I’m still searching for the win but it’s a really nice GP for me,” Cairoli explained. “The location is great, as is the track and the atmosphere made by the fans so I look forward to going there.

“Of course the season is really long and this is just the first race but we will all see ‘where we are’ and how things will run. The first races are not really the key to the whole championship – and I have seen this in my years in GPs – but it is important to build a good start and momentum from the beginning.”

Reigning champion Herlings will miss this weekend’s opener due to a foot injury, while his return to riding and racing is still to be determined.