MXoN - The Super Six

Repost from MXlarge.com

Here is it July 18, and I haven’t really spoken about the October 8, 2023, Monster Energy Motocross of Nations. A little maybe, but nothing too substantial. I have mentioned, we have the possibilities of one of the best MXoN ever and a handful of teams capable of winning.

Always a brilliant event, that often sorts out which series is stronger and while the Euro's have dominated in the last decade, the AMA boys came out firing in 2022 to take the Chamberlain trophy back to USA.

There are six teams that all have a shot at winning in 2023 and if you start with defending champions Team USA, they have some questions marks, with Chase Sexton moving teams and maybe not available, Eli Tomac not sure if he races and then several elite American riders struggling with injuries of poor form. Justin Cooper also not going due to a wedding and we might have a totally different team than the victors last year.

For starters, Haiden Deegan seems a must for the 250 class, and he will be a legendary MXoN rider of the future. For now, in his rookie debut, he can win the class, but we all know the euros in both MXGP and MX2 have so much competition, that he will have it tough, but he must be picked. In the 450 class for America, I think names like Cooper Webb, Jason Anderson, Aaron Plessinger, Adam Cianciarulo could all be picked and while Webb is changing teams, he is probably already on his new bike and has time enough to adjust. I would love to see Webb and Anderson come, but the other two are not bad either. Let’s go with Deegan, Webb and Anderson and that is a team capable of winning, with a little luck.

Now, I say luck, because the Dutch, the Spanish, the French and the Aussies all have super teams. We start with the home team, but they can pick a number of riders, from Romain Febvre, Dylan Ferrandis and Tom Vialle, that would be my team, but then waiting in the wings are the likes of Thiabault Benistant, Maxime Renaux (if back in time), Jordi Tixier, Benoit Paturel or maybe Marvin Musquin, if he wants to race. Let’s not forget, the French haven’t always had the strongest teams for this event, with names like Christophe Charlier, Tixier or Paturel all coming in when not on the same level as some of the other teams’ riders, but they get it done anyway.

How about the Dutchies (my adopted country)? Jeffrey Herlings, Glenn Coldenhoff and Kay de Wolf would be my pick, but the Dutch, like the other leading nations have guys like Brian Bogers, Roan Van De Moosdijk, Calvin Vlaanderen and Rick Elzinga to fall back on if the big three don’t make it due to injuries. If Herlings is one, hard to go past this team as a major threat to adding the 2023 Chamberlain trophy to their 2019 victory. Sure, its hard pack, but all three riders I would select are good on all types of tracks.

The Aussies, my place of birth, well, same as last year, but with some improvement in their results. Jett Lawrence and Mitch Evans on the 450s and Hunter Lawrence on the 250. Simple picks and while there are some fast Aussies in waiting, not have the credentials of this group, although Jed Beaton wouldn’t be a bad choice of needed. Also, veteran Dean Ferris, or one of the two Yamaha boys down under, Aaron Tanti, or Luke Clout.

Spain, another serious contender with Jorge Prado and Ruben Fernandez two of the best in the MXGP class and then on the 250, I guess young sensation Guillem Farres, if he is fit. Oriol Oliver has also been putting his name out there on occasions this year, but he would without question be a little of a weak link. Then again, he is Spanish and Ernee is perfect for the riders from Spain. Funnily enough, his best results have been in the sand in Italy and Latvia. Still, Prado and Fernandez around Ernee could easily both finish top three in a moto and hand Spain an easy route for their MX2 guy.

Don’t look past Belgium either as they are starting to really build some momentum with a bunch of good, fast young riders. I would pick Jeremy Van Horebeek as team captain and one of their 450 riders, then Jago Geerts on the other 450 and take your pick from Liam Everts or Lucas Coenen. Could nearly put either of these guys on a 450 if Van Horebeek wanted to give the young blood some experience. A win would be hard, but a podium very much a possibility with some luck on their side.

Italy, without the great Antonio Cairoli have good riders, like Andrea Adamo, Alberto Forato, Mattia Guadagnini and Alessandro Lupino, but I can’t see them battling for more than a top five place at best.

If I had to pick now, I would go with the Netherlands winning, but saying that, Herlings is obviously out injured at the moment, but we all know what he offers when he is back. I could see Australia second and third France. Of course, it could also be USA, Spain and Belgium. Who really knows?