KTM's Antonio Cairoli enjoyed a perfect weekend in Latvia last weekend. Image: Ray Archer.

Defending MX1 Motocross World champion Antonio Cairoli is back to his confident best following what he’s calling an “amazing” win at Latvia last weekend.

The Red Bull Teka KTM rider qualified first and went 1-1 on Sunday for his first clean-sweep of the year, and he’s now certain that momentum’s on his side as he goes from strength to strength.

“It was an awesome weekend,” the Italian beamed. “Every time I was on the track I was in front. It was an amazing feeling. I’m getting stronger and stronger every weekend and my speed is getting better.

“I enjoyed both races. I led from the first lap of the first race but [Steven] Frossard was strong at the end and I had some trouble with a back marker, but in the end it was enough to won.

“I got a good start in the second race and managed to get enough to control it.”

Now completely fit Cairoli has shifted up a gear in his bid to capture his fifth world championship title and this weekend’s efforts netted him a cool 50 points to extend his lead to 42 points over second placed Clement Desalle.