Only once or twice in a generation does lightning strike and true motocross brilliance dazzle.
Italian legend Antonio Cairoli provided one of those rare flashpoints.
Sure, there was Belgian rider Stefan Everts who claimed a record 10 world motocross championship titles in his sparkling racing career, but when Cairoli finally hung up his helmet at the end of the 2021 season, he was just one shy of equalling that tremendous feat and possibly deserves the same level of accolade.
After 18 years racing professionally, Cairoli has retired, but not before attempting to go out with a bang.
As nine-time World Champion, Cairoli wound down his GP career in style in 2021, just as a group of driven young MX2 riders started making their move up to the premier MXGP class.
© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
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