The StarCross of Mantova in Italy with the passing of the years has become the International contest that opens the race season in Europe, and it has reached its 27th edition.
An important event, both for the riders in order to estimate their state of training in sight of the opening of the world championship, and for the teams to setting up their bikes.
Great performance 1-1-3 for the three times World Motocross Champion, the Italian Antonio Cairoli that in front of his fans, debuted on the innovative KTM 350 SXF machine under the orange colors of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. With the start of the MX World Championship in, Bulgaria rapidly approaching on April 4th, Tony Cairoli is already looking like a contender for the MX1 (450cc) World MX title yet again.
Second and third place overall for the two Suzuki factory riders respectively: Steve Ramon 6-4-4 and Clement Desalle with 16-2-2.
Great return to competition for the young Scot Shaun Simpson, the Red Bull KTM rider missed much of the last season because of injury, but he came back and won the Starcross MX2 class (250) with a 1-1-2 who has relegated his teammate and defending world champion Marvin Musquin 5-2-1 to a mere second place.
The battle for the Airoh Cup is a one on one race, where one rider would line up against another rider until the final moto, like "tennis matchups". The American Jimmy Albertson new rider of Team Martin Honda, dominated this event respectively beating Clement Desalle, Max Nagl, and in the last round Antonio Cairoli.
Mike Alessi did not race due to shoulder problems.
Moto 1: Suzuki rider Steve Ramon start holeshot following of Jimmy Albertson and Antonio Cairoli. But Cairoli pushed hard immediately and overtook Albertson and after a few laps also Ramon. No luck for Albertson who crashed and Ramon dropped back to sixth position.
Moto 2: This time Cairoli had a great start and dominated without any problem the whole Moto. Behind Cairoli a beautiful fight for the second position that has gone to the new Suzuki rider Clement Desalle that has surpassed the Estonian Tanel Leok.
Moto 3: Cairoli started in third position, but recovered in hurry. Tanel Leok took the lead with the Honda and lengthened on Desalle, Ramon and Cairoli. With passing of the turns Tony it has increased the feeling and it has begun its rimonta. Before it has surpassed Ramon, then it has been put on the traces of Desalle and in last the two turns with to the Belgian it has given life to an amazing show. In the final lap Cairoli slipped, thus leaving the public square to avails again, but it is successful to remain third. The Victoria of Moto has gone to Leok.
Tony Cairoli: "It was a fantastic start for me and I enjoyed riding the 350 bike. Today I wanted to do some tests to see how it went at the start and everything went well for me. I'm happy with the bike and the results today and its always a terrific atmosphere here at Mantova."
Steve Ramon: "I am happy because Mantova is always a difficult race for me. This is an improvement over last year for sure. I had bad arm-pump in the first moto but the other two races were fine and I am pleased with three good starts. My riding was good and the third moto was the best mainly because I found the rhythm I wanted right away. This is the first race and I am on the podium, so I cannot complain too much."
Clement Desalle: "I just wanted to come here to ride and start the year in a good way. The result was not that important for me: I had a crash in the first moto and decided to take it easy after that. Physically I feel fine and I am taking things step-by-step. The bike worked well and we will continue to test; overall I am pretty happy."
Shaun Simpson: "I made a couple of good starts in the first two motos and gave myself a good chance of making some strong results. Apart from coming together with De Reuver in the second race I managed to stay out of trouble during the first two motos. I got a good start in the final race, but got squeezed out as we headed towards the second turn. The next thing I knew I was on the deck. It was hard work coming back through, but in the end I managed to do enough to take the overall win."
Moto1: 1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM); 2. David Philippaerts (Yam); 3. Marc De Reuver (Suz); 4. Shaun Simpson (KTM); 5. Jonathan Barragan (Kaw); 6. Steve Ramon (Suz); 7. Max Nagl (KTM); 8. Aigar Leok (Hon); 9. Ken De Dycker (Yam); 10. Bas Verhoeven (Hon); 11. Ken Roczen (Suz); 12. Kevin Strijbos (KTM); 13. Anthony Boissiere (KTM); 14. Xavier Boog (Hon); 15. Davide Guarneri (Hon); 16. Clement Desalle (Suz).
Moto2: 1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM); 2. Clement Desalle (Suz); 3. Tanel Leok (Hon); 4. Steve Ramon (Suz), 5. Marc De Reuver (Suz); 6. Jimmy Albertson (Hon); 7. Shaun Simpson (KTM); 8. David Philippaerts (Yam); 9. Ken De Dycker (Yam); 10. Manuel Priem (Aprilia); 11. Marvin Musquin (KTM); 12. Xavier Boog (Kaw); 13. Max Nagl (KTM); 14. Bas Verhoeven (Hon); 15. Aigar Leok (TM); 16. Arnaud Tonus (Suz).
Moto3: 1. Tanel Leok (Hon); 2. Clement Desalle (Suz); 3. Antonio Cairoli (KTM); 4. Steve Ramon (Suz); 5. Jimmy Albertson (Hon); 6. David Philippaerts (Yam); 7. Marc De Reuver (Suz); 8. Marvin Musquin (KTM); 9. Jonathan Barragan (Kaw); 10. Xavier Boog (Kaw); 11. Anthony Boissiere (KTM); 12. Max Nagl (KTM); 13. Manuel Monni (Yam); 14. Shaun Simpson (KTM); 15. Arnaud Tonus (Suz); 16. Bas Verhoeven (Hon).