Moto Cross Des Nations - Sunday, Go USA!

The Biggest MXoN In History Set To Take Place In Germany This Weekend

The 67th edition of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations is all set to get underway in Teutschenthal, Germany this weekend the 28th and 29th of September.

Forty-one nations have entered, which is the highest number of countries entered in the History of the event, with new entries such as Israel heading to the event fo the first time, however only the best twenty countries will take part in the final heats on Sunday.

The defending Champions Germany will be racing on home soil and on a track they know very well, and will have the added benefit of the unconditional support from their home fans. This year team manager Hubert Nagl will count on the experienced Max Nagl, the talented Ken Roczen and the rookie Dennis Ullrich, in a bid to hold onto the Chamberlin Trophy.

Team Belgium still has the bitter-sweet feeling of last year’s second position; they were happy to be on the podium but they knew they could have won the event. Consequently, this weekend Joël Smets and his riders, Ken De Dycker, Jeremy Van Horebeek and Clement Desalle, have only one goal, which is going back home with the Chamberlain Trophy.

De Dycker is the most experienced rider and he won a Grand Prix in Teutschenthal in 2010, Clement Desalle finished second in the FIM Motocross World Championship and he is at his best shape and Jeremy Van Horebeek will be back on the 250cc after a very strong rookie season on the 450cc.

Team USA finished third last year on the tough and demanding track of Lommel, but this weekend the Americans will be motivated to obtain what it would be their 23rd Chamberlain Trophy for Team USA.

Team Manger Roger De Coster has selected Ryan Dungey, who is about to become one of the most experienced American riders in the MXoN, Justin Barcia, whose first MXoN was last year in Lommel, and the rookie Eli Tomac, who has recently been crowned 250cc National American Champion.

Marcel Hartman, Team Manager of The Netherlands, has had to make a last minute decision when Jeffrey Herlings announced that he was not going to race the MXoN. The 2013 MX2 World Champion broke his shoulder blade during the Belgian Grand Prix, but he decided to race his home Grand Prix two weeks ago even if his shoulder was not 100% healed.

The doctors have advised Herlings to rest for six weeks, so team The Netherlands will be represented by Marc De Reuver in MX1, GP winner Glenn Coldenhoff in MX2 and Herjan Brakke in the Open class.

Team Australia a considered a very good chance by many to sneak on to the podium at this years MXoN in Germany - Credit: Aaryn Minerds

The seven-time World Champion Antonio Cairoli will represent Italy once again in MX1 class, with former World Champion David Philippaerts will race in the Open class and Alessandro Lupino in MX2.

Last year Team France were not as strong as they normally are and they finished sixth in the standings, but this weekend the public will be able to see a very strong French Team with Gautier Paulin, Jordi Tixier and Christophe Charlier.

Paulin always does very well at the MXoN and his experience will help Tixier and Charlier to race two intelligent motos in order to finish among the top three Nations. Tixier has finished second in the FIM Motocross World Championship and Christophe Charlier was fourth.

Team Great Britain, whose last podium was back in 1997 in Nismes, Belgium, will also be one of the teams fighting for a top three finish with Tommy Searle, Jake Nicholls and Shaun Simpson, who won the last Grand Prix of the 2013 FIM MX1 World Championship two weeks ago in Lierop. The three riders have experience racing the MXoN, so it might be their opportunity to shine and finish among the best Nations.

Our very own, Team Australia is also looking strong, with the young talented riders Dean Ferris and Todd Waters, joining the experienced Brett Metcalfe, who helped his country to finish on the podium in 2011 at Saint Jean d’Angely, France.