Tony Cairoli | Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
The third and final MXGP race event at Lomell in seven days took place in dark and rainy conditions. The closed-doors ‘Grand Prix of Lommel’ saw the famous sandy layout changed in several spots to provide a different racing test compared to the Flanders and Limburg rounds earlier in the week. The wintery climate meant an even bumpier and slower terrain. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tony Cairoli takes twelfth top-three moto result of 2020. Teammate Jorge Prado sat out of the race due to a positive test for COVID-19.
Tony Cairoli set the 8th fastest lap in Timed Practice and when the Lommel sand was at its wettest. He blasted to a top-three start in the first moto and then maintained the ranking in a lonely ride to the flag. In the second race, he suffered a crash on the approach to a jump on the first lap. Cairoli, who fell again, had to work his way from outside the top twenty and reached 10th position. His 3-10 effort gave him 5th for the day.
Cairoli remains 2nd in the MXGP championship standings and is 74 points behind Tim Gajser with 150 left to win in the 2020 campaign. Jorge Prado remains in self-isolation as of now. The rest of his Red Bull KTM team had returned negative test results.
“A bad day today and the two crashes in the second moto didn’t help. We didn’t have the speed to go with the guys in front in the first moto. So, not such a satisfying week in Lommel. We need to re-group and go to Italy with the least amount of pressure, enjoy the riding and finish this season on the best way. I hope Jorge gets well soon.”