Ok, it wasn’t as big as Maggiora in 1986 or 2016, in fact the constant rain that hung over Matterley Basin pretty much for the whole event, dampened what should have been one of the best ever. While everyone did a brilliant job to get the event as good as possible, mother nature made it a bit of a disappointment.

Steve Dixon reminded me that to match 2006 would have been impossible, with the whole Everts vs Stewart vs Carmichael (before he got injured and couldn’t race) made that event something special, and while we still had Cairoli, and Herlings, the anticipation from the crowd was more focused on their home team, or that of Team France.

Sure, Team Great Britain and Team France walked away happy, and the MXGP boys once again showed the difference in levels at the moment compared to their AMA counterparts, but it could have been so much better, and with a dry track a lot closer for teams like Australia and America.

The performances by Max Anstie and Hunter Lawrence were just scintillating. No doubt the talk of the MX2 class being a weak class should now be stopped. When an 18-year-old kid can do what Lawrence did, and also strong performances from Thomas Kjer Olsen over the weekend, and guys like Brian Bogers, and even Jeremy Seewer in the 450 class, it’s clear the MX2 class is a lot better than many people think.

It sure isn’t no feeder series. Without MX2 champion Pauls Jonass, and Seewer racing the 450, not to mention riders like Benoit Paturel, Thomas Covington and Julien Lieber not racing the MX2 class at the MXoN, Lawrence really held up his part of the bargain for the GP riders.

Jeffrey Herlings worked hard to try and pick up his first ever 1-1 at the MXoN, and no doubt next year in America he will try it again. Redbud looks like a good circuit for the Dutchman, and he should be the big favourite to do that on American soil.

The performance from Team USA was a sad one. Three nice guys, all pumped to ride for their country, just didn’t have it on the day. The conditions didn’t help, maybe the pressure, but they all deserve 100% respect for showing class, determination and desire. America should be proud of these boys, just as the Australian, South African and every other nations should be of their riders. I my opinion it wouldn’t have mattered who USA sent this year, Team France were just on another level.

There was drama, good racing, and climaxes, which is what the MXoN delivers, and despite the conditions, it was a success. Now bring on 2018 and the American version. Let’s hope we get a Budds Creek type event, and not the disappointing Thunder Valley event in 2010, when the crowd wasn’t really into it. With a nice mix of crazy Europeans, and the RedBud crew, it should be an event worth attending.

Quote of the weekend for me came from Hunter Lawrence. On the Friday when asked if he was happy to see some fellow Australians at the event, he smiles and said, “sure, you euros are weird.” I had to laugh out loud, and smile at the young 18 years olds honesty and pure comments. Once he moves to America in 2019, you guys will love him. I just hope he can capture a world MX2 title in 2018 before he heads off.