Paulin wins MX1 season closer

Gautier Paulin won the final MX1 grand prix of the 2011 campaign as a number of big names withdrew from the Italian event.

The weekend was run under something of a black cloud as reigning champion and homecoming hero Antonio Cairoli elected not to compete following the death of his mother on Thursday. Also absent was championship runner-up Steven Frossard, who is yet to fully recover from the injuries he sustained in the European Grand Prix, and Cairoli’s injured Red Bull KTM team-mate Max Nagl.

Yamaha rider Paulin took the win in moto 1 from Kawasaki’s Xavier Boog and Belgian Strijbos (Suzuki), the Frenchman enjoying a good launch and dominating for the duaration.

Paulin then made sure of his win in the second moto with a steady ride to second, 14 seconds behind victor Christophe Pourcel (Kawasaki). Spaniard Jonathan Barragan (Kawasaki) completed the podium.

As such Paulin took a comfortable overall victory from Pourcel, who recovered impressively from an eighth place finish in the opening run. Barragan – who was fourth in moto 1 – completed the overall podium.

With the regular season now over the riders will gear up for the annual Motocross of Nations, which this year takes place in France.

Watch the Motocross of Nations on Motors TV


James Weeks