The FIM World Motocross Championship makes an historic return to the USA this weekend for the USGP at the Glen Helen Raceway, California.
It has been 11 years since the championship has held a race Stateside – the 250cc GP at Budds Creek – while, Glen Helen hasn’t hosted an event since 1992. And to mark the occasion a selection of AMA riders, including Mike Alessi, will test themselves against their European counterparts.
Tony Cairoli arrives in America as the undisputed leader of the MX1 championship, although he didn’t have it all his own way last time out at the Grand Prix de Catalunya in Bellpuig, Spain. Finishing off the podium for the first time in 2010 allowed team-mate Max Nagl to eat into his overall lead, which now stands at 16 points.
'I’ve only visited Glen Helen once when I was on holiday in America' – Tony Cairoli
He will also need to be on his guard against fellow Red Bull KTM rider Alessi. The American is fresh from winning the second moto of the opening round of the AMA Nationals, and has a lot of experience on the iconic Glen Helen track.
Alessi and Cairoli are good friends off the track, and the Italian will be hoping his team-mate will be able to pass on some insider knowledge before the big race on Sunday.
“I will stay at Mike’s house and train with him,” Cairoli said. “I’ve only visited Glen Helen once when I was younger and I was on holiday in America.”
KTM Images
Meanwhile, in the MX2 class, Marvin Musquin heads to the USA having increased his lead over Ken Roczen and Jeffrey Herlings in the overall championship. Roczen won the first moto in Spain – his first heat win of the season – but both he and Herlings were unable to finish the second.
That allowed Frenchman Musquin to claim the overall GP win and stretch his lead at the top to 26 points over Roczen. Herlings lies a further eight points back in third.
A number of AMA riders – including KTM’s Tommy Searle – will also compete in the MX2 class. Searle, a former MX2 racer, came close to winning the opening AMA Lite/MX2 moto, which suggests he may well be a danger to Musquin and co this weekend.
Watch the action from Glen Helen live, from 9:00pm (CET) this Sunday, with Red Bull Web TV.
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