Colton Haaker Wins Costa Mesa EnduroCross

Husqvarna’s Colton Haaker took a dominating win at round two of the 2018 AMA EnduroCross championship at the Orange County Fairgrounds. For the second race in a row, the seats were packed and the crowd was treated to an exciting night of racing. Trystan Hart rode his SRT-Husqvarna to a second-place finish after passing defending champion Cody Webb on the final lap.

FMF KTM’s Webb got the day started by narrowly beating SRT-Husqvarna’s Kyle Redmond for the fastest hot-lap time. Cooper Abbott rode a great lap on his RPM KTM to set the third fastest time. Ty Tremaine set the fourth fastest time on the Alta electric bike and Hart rounded out the top five. Haaker had a big crash that resulted in a 25th place time and second row start in the heat races.

Cody Webb kept the momentum going by winning the first of the two pro class heat races. South American, Benjamin Herrera finished second on a Beta. Hart, Noah Kepple, Abbott and Dustin McCarthy took the remaining direct transfers to the main. In the second heat race, Haaker quickly moved to the front, despite his second row starting position, and easily held on for the win. Tremaine, Redmond, Geoff Aaron, Ryan Wells and Wally Palmer took the other main event qualifying spots.  Webb and Haaker each earned a bonus championship point for their heat race wins. 

The top four from each of the above heat races faced off in head-to-head bracket races. Haaker and Webb worked through the brackets to face off for the bracket win. Haaker won a close race to take the additional bonus point and first gate pick for the main.

Tremaine rocketed to the holeshot on the Alta to take the lead and held that to the end of the first lap. Webb then took over the point position while Haaker, his main rival, found himself in eleventh position after a first lap crash. Haaker quickly sliced through the field and made his way to second by the fifth lap and then closed in on Webb over the next five laps. Haaker made a pass on Webb for the lead at the start of lap eleven of what ended up being a 21-lap main. Haaker looked set to pull away but then fell in a rock corner a few laps later, allowing Webb to close to his rear wheel. But Haaker was on a mission and pulled away again for the remainder of the race to take his first win of the season.

Webb looked set for a second-place finish, but Hart snuck up on him and the two battled wheel to wheel through the rock pile on the last lap with Webb crashing and Hart continuing on to take second. Webb recovered for the final podium spot.

Tremaine continued his strong night with a fourth-place finish, the best ever for an electric powered motorcycle. Cristobal Guerrero traveled all the way from Spain to ride his Yamaha to a fifth-place finish. He is a regular in the FIM Super Enduro series where he finished this season seventh overall.

Herrera rode his Beta to a sixth-place finish in only his second ever EnduroCross. Aaron finished seventh on his GasGas. Redmond was eighth on his Husqvarna. Abbott finished ninth on the RPM KTM and Ty Cullins rounded out the top ten on a Beta.

Colton Haaker

“I started the day off with a full loop out in the hot-lap so that put me on the second for the heat race. So that wasn’t a good start, but I knew I was fast today and somehow, I got into the lead right away in the heat and won that. Then I won the bracket race in a good battle with Cody. In the main, I crashed on the first lap, but I was still calm and worked my way to the front. It was just one of those nights where I knew I could be patient because I had good speed. It’s great to get the win with my daughter here for her first ever race.”

Trystan Hart

“Once again, I got a bad start but then I got by Ty Tremaine to get into third and I could tell I was closing in on Cody, which is easier than having him chasing me. And then on that last lap, we both just sent it into those rocks and either one of us could have crashed but fortunately, I made it and Cody is okay. I am so happy with how I rode.”

Cody Webb

“I had a rough week and am a little beat up right now after a crash this week. I didn’t even know that Trystan was closing on me until he was there and then I crashed on that last lap. So I am not happy with the result but will go get some physio on my shoulder this week to be more ready for Reno next weekend.”

main event results

1. Colton Haaker, Husqvarna
2. Trystan Hart, Husqvarna
3. Cody Webb, KTM
4. Ty Tremaine, Alta
5. Cristobal Guerrero, Yamaha
6. Benjamin Herrera, Beta
7. Geoff Aaron, GasGas
8. Kyle Redmond, Husqvarna
9. Cooper Abbott, KTM
10. Ty Cullins, Beta

Brayton Wins Another SX

Brayton and Wilson emerge victorious at Jimboomba opening

Fox and Taylor claim wins in junior categories at round one of AUS Supercross.

Reigning champion Justin Brayton (Penrite Honda Racing) earned a commanding SX1 main event victory today at Jimboomba’s opening round of the Australian Supercross Championship in Queensland.

The number one plate holder capitalised on early mistakes from his rivals to cross the line a convincing 5.260s ahead of teammate Brett Metcalfe (Penrite Honda Racing).

After overtaking early leader Jace Owen (Complete Parts Kawasaki Racing), Metcalfe stormed into the lead and looked set for victory, however a stall moments later saw him relegated down the field and forced to regain positions.

In a spirited performance, Luke Clout (KTM Motocross Racing Team) closed out the 20-lap encounter in third despite a crash at turn one, displaying incredible form as he negotiated his way through the competitive class.

The top five was rounded out by Dan Reardon (Yamaha) and Owen, while sixth through to 10th was completed by Dylan Long (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team), Jesse Dobson (KSF Racing Suzuki), Nick Sutherland (Honda), Jesse Madden (KSF Racing Suzuki) and Robbie Marshall (Honda).

Three-time motocross champion Dean Ferris (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team) suffered a heavy fall during his heat and is currently under going head and chest scans in hospital.

Image: Foremost Media.

In the SX2 category, Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Jay Wilson reigned supreme with a strong 4.981s advantage ahead of American import Bradley Taft (Penrite Honda Racing).

Fellow American Josh Osby (Raceline Pirelli KTM) initially led the main until he was overcome by a charging Wilson, ultimately settling into third behind Taft at the conclusion of the race.

Hayden Mellross (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) pushed through for fourth ahead of Jacob Hayes (Serco Yamaha), while the top 10 was fulfilled by Dakota Alix (KTM Motocross Racing Team), Wilson Todd (Serco Yamaha), Richie Evans (Yamalube Yamaha Racing), Dylan Wills (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) and defending champion Jackson Richardson (CRF Honda Racing).

Brayton Wins Another

Brayton and Wilson emerge victorious at Jimboomba opening

Fox and Taylor claim wins in junior categories at round one of AUS Supercross.

Image: Foremost Media.

Reigning champion Justin Brayton (Penrite Honda Racing) earned a commanding SX1 main event victory today at Jimboomba’s opening round of the Australian Supercross Championship in Queensland.

The number one plate holder capitalised on early mistakes from his rivals to cross the line a convincing 5.260s ahead of teammate Brett Metcalfe (Penrite Honda Racing).

After overtaking early leader Jace Owen (Complete Parts Kawasaki Racing), Metcalfe stormed into the lead and looked set for victory, however a stall moments later saw him relegated down the field and forced to regain positions.

In a spirited performance, Luke Clout (KTM Motocross Racing Team) closed out the 20-lap encounter in third despite a crash at turn one, displaying incredible form as he negotiated his way through the competitive class.

The top five was rounded out by Dan Reardon (Yamaha) and Owen, while sixth through to 10th was completed by Dylan Long (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team), Jesse Dobson (KSF Racing Suzuki), Nick Sutherland (Honda), Jesse Madden (KSF Racing Suzuki) and Robbie Marshall (Honda).

Three-time motocross champion Dean Ferris (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team) suffered a heavy fall during his heat and is currently under going head and chest scans in hospital.

Image: Foremost Media.

In the SX2 category, Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Jay Wilson reigned supreme with a strong 4.981s advantage ahead of American import Bradley Taft (Penrite Honda Racing).

Fellow American Josh Osby (Raceline Pirelli KTM) initially led the main until he was overcome by a charging Wilson, ultimately settling into third behind Taft at the conclusion of the race.

Hayden Mellross (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) pushed through for fourth ahead of Jacob Hayes (Serco Yamaha), while the top 10 was fulfilled by Dakota Alix (KTM Motocross Racing Team), Wilson Todd (Serco Yamaha), Richie Evans (Yamalube Yamaha Racing), Dylan Wills (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) and defending champion Jackson Richardson (CRF Honda Racing).

Herlings wins Championship!

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings has won his 83^rd GP of his career, adding Assen 2018 to his impressive list of wins. It wasn’t easy though as a small crash in the second moto saw him have to catch and pass last years MXGP champion Antonio Cairoli in another great battle between the two.

“We try to never give up. It was awesome, picture perfect first moto and it was hard to concentrate for that second moto, but I came from a first lap crash and around 10^th to win it in my own country. I can’t ask for a better day.”

The second MXGP moto saw another MXoN moment as Coldenhoff and Herlings are first and second as they pass the massive MotoGP grandstand, and the Dutch public, usually so passive in their support go crazy. You really have to be here to feel the emotion in this crowd, it is something I am not sure I have experienced at a Dutch GP.

Herlings goes down, and drops to fifth, and as Coldenhoff continued to lead, the MXGP world champion will be making a charge, which suddenly makes this race exciting.

Eight seconds down in fifth Herlings quickly passed Anstie and closing quickly on Gajser for third place. The champ went past Gajser for third. Cairoli went past Coldenhoff for the lead, and after three laps the top ten was Cairoli, COldenhoff, Herlings, Gajser, Anstie, Simpson, Desalle, Seewer, Lieber and Monticelli.

Herlings all over Coldenhoff and made a nice pass for second place and is just three seconds behind Cairoli. Herlings all over Cairoli on lap six and both Cairoli and Herlings look amazing. Paulin into the top ten as Monticelli drops to 17^th place.

Herlings all over Cairoli and these two are pushing to their maximum. Herlings and Cairoli nearly collide as Herlings went for a pass and once again we get a real race. Cairoli isn’t a legend for nothing and is making Herlings work for this GP victory.

Cairoli going for his 86 GP win and Herlings his 83^rd. Cairoli gets baulked by a lapper and Herlings went past. Herlings just blows away from the Italian now. Top ten after 10 laps was Herlings, Cairoli, Coldenhoff, Anstie, Gajser, Simpson, Desalle, Paulin, Seewer and Lieber in 10^th.

Herlings just seven seconds ahead of Cairoli with two laps to go, but 40 seconds ahead of third placed Coldenhoff. Herlings lapped up to ninth place, and won the race and the GP.

MXGP - World Championship Classification

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 883 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 782 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 645 p.; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 625 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 544 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 541 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 511 p.; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 445 p.; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 404 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 366 p.; 11. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KAW), 283 p.; 12. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, SUZ), 267 p.; 13. Julien Lieber (BEL, KAW), 257 p.; 14. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 255 p.; 15. Shaun Simpson (GBR, YAM), 235 p.; 16. Maximilian Nagl (GER, TM), 227 p.; 17. Tommy Searle (GBR, KAW), 183 p.; 18. Tanel Leok (EST, HUS), 131 p.; 19. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, HON), 111 p.; 20. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 97 p.; 21. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 96 p.; 22. Maxime Desprey (FRA, KAW), 89 p.; 23. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, YAM), 70 p.; 24. Todd Waters (AUS, HON), 61 p.; 25. Petar Petrov (BUL, HON), 53 p.; 26. Graeme Irwin (GBR, KTM), 46 p.; 27. Benoit Paturel (FRA, KTM), 40 p.; 28. Harri Kullas (EST, HUS), 18 p.; 29. Jeffrey Dewulf (BEL, KTM), 16 p.; 30. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 15 p.; 31. Lewis Stewart (AUS, HUS), 13 p.; 32. Sven Van der Mierden (NED, YAM), 10 p.; 33. Erki Kahro (EST, KTM), 8 p.; 34. Ander Valentin (ESP, HUS), 8 p.; 35. Aldi Lazaroni (INA, HUS), 6 p.; 36. Rizky Hanif Kusparwanto (INA, HUS), 6 p.; 37. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 5 p.; 38. Jetro Salazar (PER, HON), 5 p.; 39. Brian Bogers (NED, HON), 5 p.; 40. Panagiotis Kouzis (GRE, HON), 5 p.; 41.

Assen Qualifing

Herlings wins Saturday

As expected Jeffrey Herlings of the Red Bull KTM Factory team has won the Saturday qualification race for the MXGP class. Second was Antonio Cairoli and third Glenn Coldenhoff.

“It is a great weekend so far, fastest in both practice, won the qualification race and I just want to win the championship, if we win the championship with the GP, that would be a dream come true.”

Herlings into the lead quickly in the MXGP qualifier, Cairoli second, third was Gajser, then Desalle, Coldenhoff, Anstie, Simpson, Van Horebeek, Searle and Paulin. Van Horebeek down and back in 13^th place and returning rider Bogers down in 22^nd place.

After five laps Herlings lead was six seconds, with Cairoli second, then Coldenhoff, Anstie, Gajser, Desalle, Simpson, Searle, Paulin, and Lieber 10^th.

Simpson was in a great battle with Desalle for sixth spot, but then went down when he clipped the back wheel of the Belgian and dropped back to 10^th.

Paulin moved past Searle with two laps to go, and Simpson into ninth place. Herlings won it from Cairoli and Coldenhoff.

MXGP - Qualifying Race - Classification

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 24:10.420; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:17.945; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:20.619; 4. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:26.627; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:30.909; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:47.821; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:54.214; 8. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:58.863; 9. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:59.670; 10. Julien Lieber (BEL, Kawasaki), +1:12.143; 11. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +1:13.040; 12. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +1:33.409; 13. Tanel Leok (EST, Husqvarna), +1:35.663; 14. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +1:44.944; 15. Filip Bengtsson (SWE, Yamaha), +1:46.062; 16. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 17. Matiss Karro (LAT, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 18. Sven Van der Mierden (NED, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 19. Brian Bogers (NED, Honda), -1 lap(s); 20. Graeme Irwin (GBR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 21. Harri Kullas (EST, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 22. Jeffrey Dewulf (BEL, KTM), -1 lap(s); 23. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), -1 lap(s); 24. Milko Potisek (FRA, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 25. Lars van Berkel (NED, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 26. Erki Kahro (EST, KTM), -1 lap(s); 27. Maxime Desprey (FRA, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 28. Nino Dekker (NED, KTM), -1 lap(s); 29. Nathan Renkens (BEL, Honda), -1 lap(s); 30. Manolis Kritikos (GRE, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 31. Ivo Monticelli (ITA, Yamaha), -6 lap(s); 32. Petar Petrov (BUL, Honda), -9 lap(s); 33. Todd Waters (AUS, Honda), -9 lap(s); 34. Jonathan Bengtsson (SWE, KTM), -9 lap(s); 35. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Suzuki), -11 lap(s);

Husky...E Bicycles...Erzbergrodeo?

Husqvarna Motorcycles have announced a new partnership between Husqvarna Bicycles and the Erzbergrodeo for the iconic event’s 25th anniversary, 2019. This a short video has Erzberg head honcho, Karl Katoch pitting MTB supremo Guido Tschugg against Junior SuperEnduro World Champion Kevin Gallas

Hot Topics: MXGP at Assen

A handful of topics to watch closely

Jeffrey Herlings is going to take the premier-class title at the nineteenth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship this weekend. It is not guaranteed, okay, but it would take something catastrophic to stop him. There will be a ton of attention on the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing tent across the weekend, but there are also some interesting stories to follow further down the order.

Brian Bogers will return to racing, which is great news for all involved, but it is not a story at this point. It is most likely that he is going to struggle in his return to the highest level, as he has not spent too much time on his bike in the last ten months. It would almost be disrespectful, following the struggles that he has gone through this season, to place some expectations on his shoulders. Getting through the weekend without a major hiccup would make this a successful outing. The repercussions of his return are more intriguing at this point.

Brian Bogers will make his premier-class debut with HRC this weekend (Honda Racing Corporation)

Todd Waters was keeping his seat warm on Team HRC and is now no longer needed, but he was given a bit of a lifeline by the Assomotor outfit. Arminas Jasikonis has effectively dropped off the face of the earth and consequently there is a bike to ride on that team. One would presume that he has not yet given up on that dream of landing another full-time deal, despite the rough ride that he has had, but he really needs to show something. Waters needs to do more than that actually, like pull off some kind of miracle. The competition in the paddock is extremely stiff at this point in time.

It has not been a successful foray in the FIM Motocross World Championship, one could certainly claim, as he has not broken into the top ten at all and spent a majority of his time outside of the top fifteen. Based on his results when he rode for the IceOne outfit three seasons ago, it seemed inevitable that he was going to become a regular inside of the top ten and slot in right around eighth. It just has not worked out though and there have been no flashes of brilliance or potential, so there is nothing to even cling onto at this point.

Could the switch to the Italian-based Assomotor awning help? It would be extremely tough for one to make a case that going from a factory team to a satellite team is advantageous, so it would honestly be surprising to see him post results around eleventh through the remaining rounds. Add in the fact that fifty percent of those motos will be held in the sand and it does not look good. It will just be interesting to see whether he can maintain the same level that he was at with the HRC team, actually, as very few guys have jumped onto the Assomotor team and flourished.

Todd Waters has slid across to the Assomotor awning for the first time (Honda Racing Corporation)

There are others within the paddock who are in a similar position to Todd Waters, except they are more in need of a lifeline. Morgan Lesiardo will make his debut as a full-blown privateer at Assen and must improve. All of the above applies though. It will be tough for him to do that now that he is doing it on his own, sand is not where he is at his best and there have been no signs to indicate that he can make progress. The split from Marchetti KTM has been very ominous and the way that he performs at round nineteen could indicate who was to blame in that break up.

Morgan Lesiardo may have unrealistic expectations on his shoulders. The EMX champion has always moved onto the main stage and had the ability to contend with established stars and, seeing as that applied to his predecessors, most presumed that he could do the same. The support class was not exactly at its strongest last year though and he still did not manage to dominate the division. Lesiardo never made it clear that he was going to be one of the greats, but some continue to believe that based on past accomplishments. It is most likely that he will be on the fringe of the top ten for a majority of his career.

No matter what Todd Waters or Morgan Lesiardo achieve in the sand of Assen this weekend, it will still be most intriguing to see how their recent team changes impact their respective performances. It is only right that both guys should receive attention, as well as the usual race winners, anyway. Everyone has a story.

Words: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Honda Racing Corporation

The Man Speaks!

DeCoster - MXoN Stories

Roger De Coster has always been a special character in the sport of Motocross. One of the true legends of the sport, with five 500cc motocross world titles, and a long list of MXoN victories. He has also been the team manager of the American effort since their first success in 1981 and continues to be an important part of the American legacy at this event.

For me personally my first two MXdN events as a fan, were at Unadilla in 1987 and France in 1988. Unadilla was a complete wash-out and the highlight for me was getting drunk with Jeff Leisk in a bar down the road from the circuit. France in 88 was my first des Nations in Europe, and what an eye opening that was. I knew I had to move to Europe, and make a living following the sport.

De Coster no doubt there were more important things to worry about than drinking beer. Check out his comments from those 87 and 88 events.

Below are some of this thoughts about some of the MXoN events he has attended.

MXLarge: What does the MXoN mean to you?

De Coster: The high point of the year was that we (America) won the Trophee and Motocross des Nations. The des Nations events mean a lot to me. They are very important, and were always the biggest events of the year. Everyone talks about this guy is the fastest, or the 125 guys are fastest, or the 250 guys are best. But the des Nations puts everyone together in the same class at the same time. One week you rode the 250 event (Trophee des Nations) and the next week you rode the 500 event (Motocross des Nations).

MXlarge: The 1981 team wasn't the best riders was it?

De Coster: We could see the potential in the Honda bikes and team members for those events. Our guys were not winning at the time though. Suzuki had Mark Barnett winning the 125 class and in supercross. And Kent Howerton on Suzuki was strong in the 250 class. Our team was Johnny O’Mara, Chuck Sun, Danny LaPorte and Donnie Hansen. Towards the end of the year, our results started to improve. We thought ‘We need to go to the des Nations’.

MXLarge: What was the story behind that first Team USA victory in 1981?

De Coster: Towards the end of August, as the des Nations approached, there seemed to be a lack of interest. No one seemed to be able to get their act together. No one was excited. Finally, I thought to myself ‘Why don’t we send all Honda riders as the US team?’ At the time, I think that American Honda did not know too much about the des Nations events. They did not know what it would cost to send the entire team. I took a chance, but we did it. Now things were in motion. But by the time the events were to come about, the bosses at Honda started to complain, after realizing how much money we were spending on this thing. But now it was too late to do anything different. Plus we had the magazine Motocross Action with Dick Miller and Larry Maiers in helping us raise monies for the team. That fund raising and Honda paid for the entire thing.

MXLarge: A Belgian going back to Belgium, with Team USA.

De Coster: The first event was the Trophee des Nations in Lommel, Belgium. I had problems with myself to a certain extent because it felt strange coming and representing the US. I had always tried to win as a rider for Belgium. In the Trophee des Nations, as a member of the Belgian team, I was part of the winning team ten years in a row. We also won six times in the open class (500cc – Motocross des Nations). It felt weird. But what made it easier was that the Belgian motorcycle federation never asked me for help. I had offered my help for the des Nations teams earlier to them, but they were not interested. That made me feel easier about helping the US team. Also, before the race, I had asked the Lommel club to help with financial support for travel expenses. They said ‘What are you going to do here on a sand track with an American team? You are going to be slaughtered here. We are going to kill you. If you were going to come here and were the main draw, we might consider it, but you are! also-rans’. So that motivated me even more.

MXlarge: How was preperation for Lommel?

De Coster: Our team went over early. We went to sand tracks and practiced and practiced and practiced. We initially had a lot of bike problems because we had no experience in the US riding on sand like that. But we worked thru the whole thing, and by race-time we were ready.

MXLarge: Honda were happy with the win?

De Coster: Of course, everything was fine when we won. It was one of the greatest wins ever. And Honda was able to get so much advertising out of that race. I think the wins also gave a lot of confidence to the team and our riders. The following year would be good for us. That was the springboard for us to do well for the next number of years.

MXlarge: 1987 at Unadilla was something of a muddy experience wasn't it, and Team USA wasn't really your best team?

De Coster: Bob Hannah really wanted to be on the team. He had been on the team before in ’78 and ’79, but had never been on a winning team. At the time, it was not so clear who should be on the 125. Micky Dymond had won the 125 nationals, and Hannah had some injuries earlier in the year. It was a miserable day on the track itself, because it never stopped raining the entire weekend. Bob came thru on the 125. It was a very difficult situation because of the mud and ruts. Some of the time riders could not even make it up some of the hills in those conditions. You could not find someone better than Bob because he was very tough … he didn’t give up. The US team won, and we were invited by President Ronald Reagan to the White House. We got to meet him in the Oval Office. It was quite a treat.

MXlarge: Going to the whitehouse must have been something special for the team?

De Coster: One funny story about Bob Hannah. Bob was always talking big and tough, like John Wayne. I think John Wayne was his hero. Both John Wayne and Bob like to live life ‘big’. I think Bob still lives his life that way. We are all waiting in this room next to the Oval Office, getting ready to meet the President. Everyone was nervous and sweating. Bob says ‘I’m not worried. I’m not going to be nervous about meeting that old guy’. As the time got closer to our meeting, Bob says ‘Hey RD …. I AM sweating!’ I think he was more nervous than anybody when we got into the Oval Office.

MXLarge: A great victory for Team USA was in France in 1988, Ricky Johnson, Jeff Ward and Ron Lechien.

De Coster: The Motocross des Nations was in France in 1988, and I remember something about that. Ron Lechien, who was with Kawasaki at the time, was part of the US team. It was Wardy on the 125, Ricky on the 250, and Lechien in the open class.

MXLarge: You had some trouble with Lechien or not?

De Coster: We were staying in this little hotel in the eastern part of France. We were all a little bit worried about Ronnie. We all knew how much talent he had, but he had a wild past. Saturday night before the race, the entire team is to have dinner together. Everyone is there, everyone has started eating, but no Ronnie. So I go looking for Ronnie, and I find him in his hotel room. There are cases of beer everywhere. Beer on the floor. Beer on his night table. Beers here. Beers there. I’m not saying he drank them all, but there was beer everywhere. I said ‘Ronnie, we are all waiting for you! Get over to the restaurant! And what about all these beers?’ Ronnie said ‘Don’t worry, it’s just all my friends. “Don’t worry, I’ll be over there in a minute.’ So he comes over to the dinner, eats really quickly, and before anyone else, he’s gone again! Our hotel rooms were across the parking lot from the restaurant. Before I am even done with my dinner, I go looking for him. As I enter the parking lot, I see Ronnie starting to drive away with a couple of girls in his car. I stopped him before he took off, and said ‘Ronnie! What are you doing? I am going to kill you if you don’t ride great tomorrow!’ He says ‘Don’t worry R.D., I’ll be fine.’ The next morning I make sure to wake him up. He didn’t wake up too easy. We got him to the track. Once the gate dropped and the racing started, he rode so well, it was like he was riding by himself.”

Changing of the Guard - MXoN

I still remember attending my first ever major race in America, as a 17-year-old travelling across America with my parents in a big camper van and getting to watch the 1978 Daytona supercross and then a week later the Houston supercross.

Growing up with the AMA official results coming through the letter box as my father had a motorcycle magazine in Australia, its funny to look back and think how things were back then. Finding out the results two or three weeks after a race took place cracks me up, when you consider in this day and age of internet, were we can watch every single major sporting event live.

Standing on the infield of that Daytona supercross, and actually being just metres away from my hero Marty Smith, well, it was pretty cool. A week later the glowing career of Smith would be just about over as he smashed his hip and never won another championship. Marty Smith was the first real superstar in the sport, with his surfer look, and his easygoing nature.

We might make fun of America on occasion, laugh at their current president, and not understand the way they communicate, but what we shouldn’t forget, is that America are pretty much doing the same thing to the rest of the World, so I guess the name calling, and the stupid jokes about each other are considered a bit normal.

One thing the Americas are good at is winning and another is promoting sport better than just about every single country in the World. The drama, the pageantry, and the high voltage announcing. I would rather watch the Augusta National in golf than the British Open or listen to American commentary in Boxing than the toned-down British version. Americans do most things better than most and they know it.

It doesn’t matter if it’s the Ryder Cup in golf, or the Motocross of Nations, that Europe vs America rivalry will always be a fun topic, and while some don’t like the debate, it will go on forever, and thank god for that, because its competition like these that really make our sport or any sport a lot more fun.

Back in the 1970s when Torsten Hallman, Joel Robert and Roger De Coster headed to America to race the Trans-AMA events, and run training schools for the novice American riders. They couldn’t have known the Americans could catch on so quickly, and within 10 years, American riders owned the sport.

It was the Grand Prix riders who helped the sport in America to what it is today, and while supercross made sure that domination lasted for more than 30 years, that all started changing when Youthstream took over the FIM Motocross World Championships in 2004.

Unlike in the 70s, the American riders were dominating our guys in every single area, winning in Europe, winning in America and winning anywhere else. Didn’t matter if it was Australia, Japan, Indonesia or South America, if an American was on the starting line, then the rest of the World was going to get beaten.

From 1981, until 2011, Team USA were the team to beat, and names like Johnny O’Mara, Brad Lackey, Danny Laporte, Ricky Johnson, Jeff Ward, David Bailey, Donny Schmit, Broc Glover, Trampas Parker, Bobby Moore, Jeff Emig,  Ron Lechien, Jeff Stanton, Ricky Carmichael, and many, many more dominated our GP riders.

Something changed though when Youthstream took over, because YS president, Giuseppe Luongo, as much a fan of the American riders knew that he didn’t want to see the Euro riders getting beaten any longer. He made sure the GP tracks changed, from rock-hard speed and old school, to a new breed of motocross track. More technical sections, wave sections, something that at times resembled the whoops the Americans raced on in supercross. Luongo knew that the GP riders needed to change their techniques and their mind set against the almighty Americans.

He made a structure in the Grand Prix that made it tougher than ever, the age limit pushing all the best riders into the MXGP class. Never have we seen the premier class so cutthroat and so demanding for the competitors. The diversity of tracks improved the GP riders and the proof is in the pudding, as they now dominate the American riders on most occasions.

I still remember it like it was yesterday. Being around the sport now for more than 40 years, every now and then you would see something that surprised you, and it was at the 2009 Motocross of Nations in Italy.

The Franciacorta circuit, specially made for the MXoN, and never used again for a major International race. Franciacorta had a long slightly uphill wave section and during the Saturday qualification race (from memory), Chad Reed, who was the previous year’s AMA supercross champion and a multiple champion in supercross started up the slight elevation. Right behind Reed was New Zealand’s Josh Coppins. Now Josh would admit it himself, he is old school. Coppins isn’t J.M. Bayle, or Christophe Pourcel, but half way through that wave section he caught and passed Reed and took off. I sat there, excited, but what hit me was that this was the start of something special for the GP riders.

Three years later, after Team USA had dominated that Italian MXoN, won the 2010 version at Thunder Valley in America, and defended the Chamberlain Trophy again at St Jean d’Angly in France, we saw another moment of change. It was 2012, and it was again Lommel, the same place team USA had dominated in 1981 to start their World domination.

Prior to the event the European media were on about how this deep, deep sand of Lommel could be the place the Euros finally get a MXoN victory again. The American media fired back that they had sand in America, and most of the leading riders lived in the sandy state of Florida and would have no problem with Lommel.

We all know what happened that day in Belgium. Just like in 1981, a new era was born. A new sheriff was in town, and this time, it wasn’t the cool looking Americans, but three young men from Germany, Ken Roczen, Max Nagl and a very unexpecting hero in Marcus Schiffer.

While the American media suddenly started using Lommel as the only reason the euros won, I wrote that this was in fact the changing of the guard, a new era had arrived. I got a lot of what you could call hate mail from some of my American media friends, one saying what I had said was the most stupid thing he had ever seen written. Vitalmx, a very popular forum once again said MXGeoff is a complete fool, but that moment in 2009, in that wave section kept coming back to me.

Now here we are, six years after Lommel, and Team USA have their chance for victory. Jeffrey Herlings leading the European charge into America, guns blazing, and coming off the best 12 months of his life. Without question the fastest rider in the World, and despite his 2016 and 2017 MXoN moto losses to Max Anstie and Jason Anderson, the king of the castle when it comes to motocross.

Once again, the European fans and American fans debate if Herlings better than Tomac, will Barcia and Plessinger have enough to help Tomac take the win in USA, for USA?

Davey Coombs, one of the most passionate media guys in America, owner of the leading MX magazine in America, RacerX, and also the guy in charge of the AMA Nationals knows that if it doesn’t happen in 2018, then this domination by the Euros may continue for as long as that 1981 until 2011 domination. Assen Holland in 2019 will without question see a European team win, and if defeated at Redbud this year, you even have to wonder if American would send a team again in 2020, or any times soon.

With Roger De Coster possibly running out of energy to be Team USA manager, and also the man who was the main reason Team USA started making a serious challenge to the Euros in the first place (back in his 1970 visit to USA, and back at Lommel in 1981), questions start to build on what the future is for Team USA. Without a victory in 2018, we might see the end of what has been an entertaining and exciting era in the Motocross des Nations history.

I for one hope Team USA can get the win, continue on as the biggest and brightest team in the event, and regain some of their credibility as winners. We will all find out on October 7.