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MXGP Neuquen: Cairoli 'more and more confident' with new KTM

At the age of 32, Tony Cairoli is approaching elder statesman status but Red Bull KTM’s nine-time world champion gave his younger rivals a riding lesson in MXGP qualification in Argentina yesterday.

After winning by almost nine seconds seconds, the Sicilian was upbeat in the post-race press conference.

“I’m really happy we’re here in Argentina – it’s nice weather and a nice track, one of my favourites. I was good at the start and I had a good rhythm and won the qualification race which is good – the real race is tomorrow but it is good to have the pole position. I’ll sleep well tonight,” said Cairoli.

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The defending champion is going for his 10th world crown this year after injuries in 2015 and ’16 forced him onto the back foot.

“I’m really comfortable. We’ve had a lot of testing lately. It’s a new bike – we’re still developing and working on it because there’s always something we find out can be better – but we are happy at the moment and we will keep working this way.

“I feel that every year I can work a little bit on something that in the past I didn’t work on and I feel that there is some improvement and so I keep going this way. For sure I feel better on the bike and more and more confident – it’s also really important to stay away from injuries which stop preparation and mentally it’s really important to stay healthy.

“I’m not playing any mental jokes – I like to race and to be in front.”

Surprisingly, Cairoli has never won a moto in Argentina but that could all be about to change.

Qualifying race highlights

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