Intro:

Three-time defending MX1 champion Antonio Cairoli won the opening two races of the 2012 calendar on Monday with victories in Valkenswaard in the Netherlands.

Script:

The 2012 MX1 motocross season got underway on Monday with Valkenswaard in the Netherlands hosting the first two races on the calendar.

Three-time defending MX1 champion Antonio Cairoli put in the leading qualifying time and started from pole position in both races.

The Italian held his lead through the first corner, but surrendered first place to France's Steven Frossard on lap five.

However, a mistake from Frossard gifted the lead back to Cairoli on the following lap and he maintained that position all the way to the chequered flag.

Cairoli finished 18.926 seconds clear of Belgium's Clement Desalle, who came out on top in a to-and-fro battle with Frossard to claim second place, while the Frenchman

Having got the better of Frossard in race one, Desalle set his sights on getting the better of Cairoli in race two.

However, the Italian showed his class as he crossed first with a time of 41:14.597, with Desalle and Frossard once again forced to settle for a place on the podium.

Next up MX1 moves to Bulgaria on April 22.