Cairoli and Herlings to miss MXGP of Germany
KTM’s hopes for yet another back-to-back MXGP Championship Title have been severely dented as Red Bull KTM’s Tony Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings – the last two MXGP World Champions – will sit out this weekend’s Grand Prix of Germany.
Reigning #1 Herlings re-injured his right leg just prior to winning the first moto at Kegums in Latvia last Sunday. The Dutchman was forced to withdraw from the Grand Prix with a hairline fracture at the base of his tibia bone and underwent minor surgery to insert a small reparatory screw this week. The 24-year-old will remain in a cast and air-boot for almost two weeks before he can again go through the physio, rehab and training process to be back on his KTM 450 SX-F.
Cairoli fell in the second moto last weekend and dislocated his right shoulder. Initial scans were positive but the joint continues to be painful. Further examinations will take place in two weeks time to know the exact extent of the damage. The nine-times world champion and red plate holder this season will sadly sit out the Grand Prix at Teutschenthal but will then assess the state of the injury.
Slovenian Tim Gajser looks set to capitalise on KTM’s misfortune as he looks likely to take the MXGP Championship crown this year for Honda.
Red Bull KTM continue to push hard in the MX2 class with Jorge Prado leading the standings and having claimed all eight of his Grand Prix appearances this year and Tom Vialle also posting strong results in his rookie campaign.
Robert Jonas, VP of Offroad
“We had some amazing success in the last two years in the MXGP class and that has so much to do with our riders, our excellent team and all the support we have in place. Now we are experiencing the hard part of motocross but we know this is part of sport unfortunately. We don’t like it but we have to accept it and do our best to help Jeffrey and Tony get better and soon be in a position to be fighting at the front again.”
MXGP – World Championship Classification Top 10
- Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 391 points
- Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 358
- Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 256
- Gautier Paulin (FRA, YAM), 254
- Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 246
- Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HUS), 226
- Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 208
- Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, HON), 200
- Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 190
- Pauls Jonass (LAT, HUS), 186
