Image: Octopi Media.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli appeared poised for a competitive outing at Budds Creek but left the Maryland circuit with poor moto finishes and an injured wrist.

Only Ken Roczen lapped Budds Creek faster than Cairoli in qualifying, but the day went sideways for the nine-time world champion soon after he launched from his second gate pick in moto one.

Cairoli was in the mix in the early moments of the day’s first 450MX race but was clipped by another rider as he tried to recover from a minor crash. Officially scored 37th at the end of the first lap, Cairoli raced through a later-confirmed injured wrist and ended the moto in 19th.

“The idea was to come here to make some more gate drops before the Motocross of Nations,” Cairoli said. “I always like this track and after 15 years I want to come back. I felt a little bit uncomfortable immediately after the incident and I just wanted to keep riding because I come all the way here to train at least a little bit.”

Keen to ensure his return to America was worthwhile, Cairoli executed a mid-pack start in moto two and ended up 15th, securing a disappointing 19th overall on the day.

“In the second moto, I put some ice and I hoped that it would be a little better but unfortunately it wasn’t good,” he continued. “I couldn’t really push the way I wanted, I just rode 50 percent of the possibilities and I didn’t want to crash and risk it. We checked it and unfortunately, I have a little crack on my hand and I just need a couple of days of rest and let’s try to regroup and be ready for Motocross of Nations, which will be our next race and our biggest of the year.”

Though he won’t be present for the upcoming conclusion of the 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Cairoli will race again on North American soil in a month at Redbud on the weekend of September 24–25.