Antonio was born in
Patti, Sicily. He began his motocross Grand Prix career in 2002 riding a
Yamaha. He and his wife Jill Cox split their time between
Rome,
Italy and
Lommel,
Belgium, where he is training.
2004 In his debut MX2 season, Cairoli rode to a third-place finish in the championship with a maiden GP win at round 12.
2005 Tony won his first of two MX2 titles in 2005 with six wins and nine podiums.
2006 Cairoli ended 2006 second in the MX2 World Championship.
2007 Tony dominated the MX2 field in 2007, securing 10 wins from 15 Grand Prix's (missed round 14) as well as 13 out of 14 podium finishes. This led him to his second MX2 World Motocross Championship.
2008 Cairoli was unable to defend his MX2 championship, mainly due to missing five rounds because of injury.
2009 Cairoli claimed the
2009 FIM Motocross World Championship, on his last year at Yamaha This was his first premier class title. He ended the season with four GP wins.
2010 Tony successfully defended his MX1 world championship in 2010. Riding for the Red Bull Factory KTM team, as well as being the first since Stefan Everts in 2006 to defend the MX1 championship. He added another eight GP wins to his record.
2011 Cairoli won his third consecutive MX1 title in 2011 with six Grand Prix victories.
2012 On 5 August 2012, in
Czech Republic, he won his 50th GP in the
MX1 World Championship. Cairoli defended the MX1 title for the fourth time. He ended the season with 11 GP wins from the 15 rounds he raced.
2013 In the 2013 MX1 season, Tony Cairoli continued his dominance in the Motocross World Championship. Riding for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, Cairoli displayed exceptional skill and consistency. He secured multiple victories throughout the season and defended the MX1 World Championship title for the fifth time, further solidifying his status as one of the premier riders in motocross.
2014 In the 2014 MXGP season, Tony Cairoli continued his remarkable performance in the premier class of the Motocross World Championship. He showcased consistent excellence, securing multiple victories and podium finishes. Despite facing tough competition, Cairoli's skill and determination prevailed, and he successfully defended his title, winning the MXGP World Championship for another consecutive year.
2015 Cairoli's streak of six MXGP World Championships came to an end due to injury. He ended the season seventh.
2016 Coming off an injury sustained in 2015, Cairoli battled to a second place championship finish.
2017 At the age of 32, 2017 was the year in which Cairoli was able to clinch his ninth MXGP World Championship, with six Grand Prix wins.
2021 Cairoli announced his retirement from motocross on September 14, 2021.
2022 After his retirement from full-time professional racing, Cairoli announced he would be visiting the
United States to race the
AMA Motocross Championship for select rounds which included Fox Raceway, Hangtown, Thunder Valley, High Point & Budds Creek. His best result was a fifth at Thunder Valley.
2024 Celebrating his comeback and Ducati's debut at the motocross world championship, Cairoli raced at the MXGP of Arnhem (Qualifying: 7th, Race 1: 15th). ==Achievements==