`Surprise` first Supercross title for Cairoli.

Former Motocross world champion, and 2006 MX2 title runner-up, Antonio Cairoli surprised himself by claiming his first Supercross title during the three-round UEM (European) championship.

Cairoli, the 2005 MX2 world champion, won round two in Milan then scored enough points at last weekend's 24th Genova Supercross to beat Frenchman Pierre Alexandre Renet to the crown.

"Honestly I never considered this championship to be one of my main goals, I don't even do special training for indoor Supercross races," admitted the Italian. "But after competing at Bercy (Paris) and Milan I discovered that I was able to compete with the top European riders. I won at Milan and prior to this last race I was only five points behind leader Renet, so I thought I'd better go to Genova!

"It was a good race for me, I was fastest in most of the sessions and won the qualification and semi-final. At Supercross events the public is always fantastic and they really supported me, they were a real motivator!

"In the final I was away quickest, but same as in Bercy, [race winner Josh] Grant passed me soon after the start. I couldn't really catch him. With [Mike] Alessi I believe I could have fought until the end for the second place, but I made a small mistake and crashed when I hit a bale with my handlebar. I was able to defend third position and fortunately Degli Espositi passed Renet which handed me the title.

"To win this title is a real pleasure because I'm a big Supercross fan. I believe I can still improve my style and riding, but to carry the title of European Supercross champion is not bad for now. I really want to thank the public for supporting me and of course my team who made a perfect Supercross setting to my YZ250F. My team boss Claudio de Carli is now deciding what will be the next race to compete in, but first we take a very welcome break in December."

2006 UEM Supercross championship standings:

1. Cairoli
2. Renet
3. Mills
4. Grant
5. Aubin