Following his victory at the first round of the 2010 Motocross World Championship in Bulgaria, MX1 series leader Max Nagl heads to Italy with the intention of defending the red plate from teammate and home rider Tony Cairoli, who sits second in the championship following the season opener.

Marvin Musquin leads the MX2 class courtesy of his victory at the Bulgarian Grand Prix, the Frenchman won both heats in front of Ken Roczen and Steven Frossard, with the trio all set on the forthcoming Italian battle.

Mantova, where the FIM Motocross World Championship returns after its last appearance in 2008, will host also the opening round of the FIM Veterans’ World Cup and the UEM EMX 125 series.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX1 team dominated round one in Bulgaria last weekend with German Nagl taking the overall from Cairoli, who had some troubles to keep up with the more powerful 450cc machine of the current championship leader.

With Mantova being a completely different track from the fast Sevlievo, the sandy venue of this second Grand Prix should see Cairoli more at ease. The defending MX1 Champion showed impressive form in the off-season at Mantova by winning the International event held there in February.

Third placed in the championship Clement Desalle of Rockstar Teka Suzuki World MX1 looks forward to his second Grand Prix with the works Suzuki team. The Belgian hopes to collect another podium to keep close to the championship leaders.

Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross’ Davide Philippaerts will be another one to watch in Mantova where the Italian took third on the podium in 2008, his championship winning year. Philippaerts narrowly missed the podium in Bulgaria and his home Grand Prix is surely the chance he needs to be break into the top three.

Rounding off the top five other Rockstar Teka Suzuki World MX1 racer Steve Ramon has unveiled to be another candidate for the 2010 Title through a solid second moto performance in Bulgaria.

After a tough opening round Sebastien Pourcel, second overall behind winner De Reuver at Mantova in 2008, looks for better fortunes and more championship points.

Making his first appearance with the number one plate in Bulgaria, Musquin conquered the first Grand Prix of 2010 in dominant style. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX2 man took victory in both heats after narrowly missing the pole position which went to a determined Roczen.

The 15-year-old of Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 struggled to remain behind the Frenchman who pulled away in both races on Sunday. The challenge in between the two will remain alive in Mantova, where only Musquin has raced a Grand Prix in 2008.

Kawasaki CLS representative Frossard had a great start to the season by taking third on the podium and showing that this year he can have the consistency he lacked in 2009. The French is hungry for victory as he is the only one in the top three who has not yet recorded a Grand Prix win.

Young gun Jeffrey Herlings of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing MX2 made a stunning GP debut at Sevlievo as the 15-year-old remained with the front runners in all weekend’s races from qualifying to GP heats. The Dutch teenager is currently fourth in the Championship ahead other youngster Arnaud Tonus of the Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 team – a great race for the Swiss at his first GP appearance with the Germany based squad.