Image: Octopi Media.

Italian Antonio Cairoli has won the MXGP of Trentino as the final stage of the world championship opened on Sunday, while Jago Geerts was back on top in MX2.

Red Bull KTM’s Cairoli went 2-2 at the picturesque circuit for his third overall of the season, despite Tim Gajser (Team HRC) and Clement Desalle (Monster Energy Kawasaki) splitting the moto wins.

Moto one was taken out by defending world champion Gajser ahead of Cairoli and Jeremy Seewer (Monster Energy Yamaha), before the retiring Desalle led the way in moto two from Cairoli and Gautier Paulin (Monster Energy Yamaha), who will also retire at the close of the season.

Overall it was Cairoli who stood atop the podium, joined by Gajser and Desalle. In the championship, Gajser now holds a 73-point lead over Cairoli, with Seewer a further 18 points behind in third position.

Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Geerts crossed the line fourth in the opening MX2 encounter, but bounced back second time out to win and secure the round victory.

Moto one was topped by Thomas Kjer Olsen (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) ahead of world championship leader Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM) and Jed Beaton (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna).

Later, Geerts won moto two from EMX250 champion Thibault Benistant (Hutten Metaal Yamaha) and Vialle. Those results saw Geerts win overall from Olsen and Vialle, while Beaton was P4 overall. Bailey Malkiewicz (Team Honda 114 Motorsports) finished P18.

Vialle now holds a 73-point lead in the world championship standings ahead of Geerts, who is the final rider within mathematical reach of the lead with two rounds remaining. The GP of Pietramurata will be held this Wednesday, 4 November.

New Zealander Courtney Duncan (DRT Kawasaki) claimed her second world title in the Women’s Motocross World Championship at the final round, edging Nancy Van De Ven (Yamaha) and Larissa Papenmeier (Yamaha). Australian Tahlia O’Hare (KTM) claimed 10th in points.

Detailed results