Something about me…

Hi everyone, my name is Antonio Cairoli, but all my friends call me Tony. You can also do it, because if you are here either you are a motocross passionate or you are one of my fans, and in both cases, you are welcome to join my family!

I told my story in a movie (Tony Cairoli the movie) and in a book (Velocità Fango Gloria, la mia vita per il Motocross), but if you want to get to know me better, this is the right place.

I’ve always looked at life straight in the eyes. My parents taught me that. They were the first ones who believed in my talent giving me the chance to show it by doing sacrifices for years. Even now that they are not by my side anymore, I’m following their footsteps, trying to give my best in everything I do and never forgetting where I come from.

My story started on September 23, 1985 in Patti (Messina), a small village on the oriental coast of Sicily, over the sea, right in front of the beautiful Eolie islands. Life wasn’t particularly easy at the beginning, the only boy after four sisters. My dad Benedetto put me on a bike at the age of four, it was his dream to become a rider as I did after, but he couldn’t afford it. My parents supported me for the first part of my life. I lost both of them very soon but they knew I had become a grown-up man, mature and responsible, and I could count on another family: the De Carli’s.

With Claudio and Ornella, I became the Champion I am today, I’ve been riding with them for 18 years and together we won 92 GPs and 9 World Championship titles. An achievement that never happened before in history. Our is a unique story that still continues today on my KTM 450 SX-F together with my wife Jill, who I met 15 years ago on a motocross race and married in 2017 and with our son Chase Ben Cairoli, born September 28, 2019.

I love my family, motocross, Sicily, Rome, football, the sea, sneakers, driving Rally cars and the music that I mix, playing DJ with my console. I’m a simple guy, who loves spending time with friends, go for enduro rides, cook with the barbecue and eat Italian food. You can take everything away from me, but not a good Carbonara.

2021 was my 18^ and last season competing in the FIM Motocross World Championship and as always, when the gate dropped, I gave all I had in me. Despite my retirement, my motto in life is and always will be: Speed, Mud and Glory. I brought it with me last year leading KTM Red Bull Factory Racing Team as Team Manager and I’ll keep bringing it in my new challenge, being the new Ducati rider, tester and brand ambassador on board the new Desmo450 MX. TC222