EnduroGP UK 2017 - Recap

MXoN – Rider Comments

A fairytale weekend for Team France as they continue to show they are the best motocross nation in the world. How times have changed. A bad day for Team USA as they continue their slide down the world rankings. 2018 and RedBud should be a different story. Max Anstie, Hunter Lawrence and Jeffrey Herlings were sensational.

Romain Febvre: “I had two solid motos and two good starts; the new bike is just amazing. We had been working for a few weeks but it already felt better. In the first moto I was battling with Jeffrey and when he crashed I had to take off my goggles because I couldn’t see so well. With the lapped riders it was really difficult so I took a safe second. In the second moto I felt I couldn’t continue again like this so stopped quickly for goggles but anyway we are so happy to have won for the fourth time. People had doubts about Christophe on social media but he won both the ISDE and the Nations and that’s quite amazing.”

Gautier Paulin: “Winning the Nations is a crazy feeling that never gets old. This is such a special event with fans and spectators travelling from all parts of the word to see us race. I really want to thank my teammates Christophe Charlier and Romain Febvre. They did a great job and the overall win belongs to all three of us. The atmosphere this year has been amazing. As for me, it feels great to be able to get a fourth consecutive win with the team. I did my best to secure two good results in the final motos and I made it happen. I loved every moment of this year’s Motocross of Nations.”

Christophe Charlier: “I’m over the moon with this victory. Especially for me focusing all my efforts this season into the EnduroGP World Championship, it’s been a crazy experience coming back to the pinnacle of motocross competition. The Nations is always a huge event and this season it seemed that it was even more spectacular. As for me, I spent the last couple of weeks training on the FC 250 machine and it all worked out pretty well here in the UK. I got 14th in the first moto and then managed to improve to sixth in moto two. It’s been a crazy journey and it feels amazing to have now won the ISDE and the Nations during the same season.”

Max Anstie: “Getting two moto wins and seeing our team finish on the podium is an amazing feeling. My teammates and myself have done well this weekend. We all put in a great effort into the Nations and it’s great to bring Team GB on the box in front of our home crowd. For me these two moto wins feel like a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to get a win in the MXGP class and now I’ve got two victories at the most prestigious event of the season. In moto one I got the lead quite early and just tried to stay focused and hit my lines correctly. Then in moto two we had a good battle with Febvre and eventually I managed to come out on top. It’s an unreal feeling.”

Dean Wilson: “It was a pretty tough weekend with the weather changing on Sunday. Conditions were treacherous on the track and it was easy to make mistakes. I got seventh in my first moto and then eighth in the second. It was nothing spectacular but we managed to bring Team Great Britain on the podium. Max [Anstie] did an amazing job this weekend getting two solid victories and our teammate Tommy [Searle] rode well too. It’s good that we managed to bring our team on the box for the first time after 20 years, it’s pretty exciting.”

Tommy Searle: “I was going well in the first race until I had to retire, and I felt I’d let the rest of the team down at first as this is a team contest and it put the pressure on the other guys. I knew I had to bring it home in my second ride but I had a bad start and got filled in with the mud as I came through the pack. I was very nervous and fifteenth is not good, but it was enough to help earn third place for the team.”

Jeffrey Herlings: “We did really good last year and had a bit of luck to finish second but I think we deserved it this time. I’m proud of my teammates and the organisation to make this happen. I just missed the start in the second moto and had so much mud on my helmet and dirt in my goggle. Romain went in for goggles and I wasn’t sure, so I kept going and I caught Max but there was only one dry line and it was very tough to pass. I managed to get him in France [the GP Pays de Montbeliard] but couldn’t do it this time! I feel a bit disappointed because I worked hard and wanted to go 1-1 but I couldn’t. The second part of the season was good for me. I was one of the fastest and it gives me a lot of confidence going into next year.”

Glenn Coldenhoff: “I expected better. I got a good start in the first moto but struggled a bit at halfway. I had to take off my goggles as well and then it was even more difficult. I tried as hard as I could and just came up a little bit short. It was not my day today. I gave everything that I had and in the end I’m happy for the team but disappointed in myself.”

Hunter Lawrence: “The day started off really well, with a good start on my RM-Z250. It was a good race with the 450s and I ended up fourth which was really cool, finishing ahead of some top-quality riders and I was the first MX2 rider across the line. It was a short break between the two motos and I didn’t get as good of a start in the second race and I had to work my way through the pack. There was so much mud on my helmet and I had to take the goggles off but I was riding well and making passes. I took a rock to the eye at one stage and that hurt a lot but others were making mistakes and I kept charging and eventually got up to third. Unfortunately, my helmet was falling down across my eyes and I couldn’t see so well and I crashed a couple of laps from the end. Obviously it was a massive let down for myself as I ended up finishing eighth after that mistake. I still won the MX2 class and won the Ricky Carmichael award for best young rider so I’m really happy with that and with helping Australia to a sixth overall.”

Zach Osborne: “I was happy to be back racing on familiar British soil. I did my best in the qualifying moto and was happy to get away with the win. Then on Sunday my performance was good. I didn’t get a good rhythm in the opening moto and following a small crash I had to settle for 10th at the line. In the second moto I felt much better and managed to make some good passes in the last few laps for third. I’m satisfied with second overall in the MX2 class. For Team USA it was a tough weekend but I am sure we will come back fighting for next year.”

Thomas Covington: “I was looking forward to representing Team USA for the first time in my career. My speed was good on the 450 machine but things didn’t work out for me in any of the final motos. I got a bad start in my first moto and then went down three times during the race. My bars and levers were bent so I just did my best to finish the race. Then in the second moto I wasn’t able to get a good start again. I tried to come back as closer as possible to the top but had to settle for 17th at the line.”

Antonio Cairoli: “Today was good. We couldn’t expect the win and with the track like this it was a matter of good starts and staying out of trouble and this was not our case. We struggled a lot but Alessandro rode well in the second moto to take fourth place. I had a crash in the first race and it was difficult to come back, and in the second moto I had another problem at the start and from almost last I could come to seventh. Anyway we were happy that it was muddy because we needed to work a bit on this kind of soil and had struggled a bit in similar conditions during the season. We had some good practice today and now I’m looking forward to the break before we start to think of the new season.”

Jeremy Seewer: “For the bad starts I had in both motos, today went all right”, said Seewer. “I had a lot of spinning on the gate, which perhaps was due to the fact I don’t have too much experience starting on the 450. Both of the races I was pretty much dead last which in a mud race isn’t very good at all. In the first moto I had a couple of crashes after one guy hit me but I came back pretty good to 14th. I wasn’t overly happy with it but my riding was good and that was important. In the second moto I made a lot passes on the first lap after the bad start, coming from like 35th up to seventh. Antonio Cairoli then passed me and I had another problem with a lapper and I ended up ninth. Switzerland ended up fifth. It was our joint-best result in our history and it just means that we need to have a really good day to get on the podium.”

Kevin Strijbos: “Today wasn’t a good day for me as I just couldn’t find my speed or rhythm at all. It was just a bad weekend from yesterday to today, I felt so bad on the track and couldn’t get anything going at all. I tried my best, just like I always do and I’m glad I helped Belgium to get fourth overall, but I don’t feel satisfied with how I rode personally. I really wish I could have placed higher because I normally do so much better at this race, but this just wasn’t my weekend.”

Jorge Prado: “A disappointing way to finish the season. I had some goggle trouble in the first moto and was always battling the conditions and then the second race was over when I had a stone get into the rear brake. It meant I wasn’t going anywhere with the bike. Not really how I wanted to end the year but it has been a long one for me and now it is time to stop and have a good look at everything we have done and work for the next season.”

Michele Cervellin: Today was not a good race for me. I struggled with my leg in these conditions but I just tried to do my best for Team Italy and for HRC as it is my last race with them. The track was so difficult and you need an umbrella on you just to see where you are going. I am going to take some time now to focus on next year.

Thomas Kjer-Olsen: “It was a challenging weekend here in England. The track was technical and the rain made it muddy for the final motos on Sunday. I didn’t get the best of starts but put in some good lap times and made a few good passes during both motos. My goal was to be top 10 in both motos and I managed to finish ninth and 10th. I’m pretty happy with my riding as well, as it’s been a bit better than it was during the last few GPs. Overall, it’s been a positive weekend for me and I’m already looking forward to the coming season.”

Tim Gajser: Actually, today was really tough for us as a Slovenian team. We set the goal before we went to this event that we wanted to be top 15 and we did that as we finished 12th. I struggled today with my starts I had to come back through from far back. It was hard as the track was really muddy and I lost my goggles in the third lap in both moto’s. I got roosted really badly in the eyes. I managed to finish second in my first race and then fifth in the second one. I know I can do better but we are quite happy because after many years Slovenia has had a good result.

Evgeny Bobryshev: I had a really good first Moto today even though the track was not my favourite type of terrain, then in the second race I didn’t have a good start but managed to finish twelfth. The track was really muddy compared to yesterday and really tough. Russia didn’t do so well overall but I enjoy taking part in the event and is good to see so many fans out there supporting us.

Matterley – Looking Back

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.

France Wins MXoN Again!

Anstie moto, France Trophy

Max Anstie has won the final moto of the MXoN, but it was Team France who took home the Chamberlain trophy for the fourth year in a row, only the third team to do so in the history of the event. Team France with Romain Febvre, Gautier Paulin and Christophe Charlier really dominated the competition, and were easily the best nation. Winning with 20 points, and followed by Team Netherlands with 31pts and Team Great Britain with 32pts.

Class winners were Max Anstie with 1-1 in the MXGP class, Jeffrey Herlings going 1-2 for the Open class and Hunter Lawrence with 4-8 in the MX2 class.

The final moto of the day and its again Anstie who is leading, ahead of Febvre, Van Horebeek, Herlings, Tonus, Seely, Ullrich, Paulin, Gajser, Seewer, Wilson, Coldenhoff, Facciotti, Cairoli, Leok, Bobryshev, Ferris, Irwin, Olsen, and Edmonds in 20^th. Covington 26^th and Gibbs now back in 32^nd place.

Paulin goes past Ullrich, and Cairoli passed Facciotti. Paulin also past Seely, and Gajser into 8^th as he passed Ullrich. Irwin moves past Ferris and the Aussies in big trouble. Febvre all over Anstie for the lead as the French look like defending their Chamberlain trophy.

Herlings into third and going after the two front guys. Ferris drops to 21^st and Gibbs up to 27^th. Seewer up to 8^th and the Swizz coming for a podium place as Tonus commands fifth place.

After two laps it was Anstie, Febvre, Herlings, Van Horebeek, Tonus, Paulin, Gajser, Seewer, Seely, Wilson, Cairoli, Coldenhoff, Ullrich, Bobryshev, Leok, Olsen, Noren, Irwin, Facciotti, and Strijbos 20^th.

Seely back to 12^th place as Wilson and Cairoli move past the American. Wilson into ninth and the home team looking for a podium finish.

Ferris fighting hard into 16^th and Gibbs 24^th. France in command though with second and sixth. Gajser all over Paulin, as Paulin moved past Tonus and Gajser went for the same, but the two collided and Gajser went down.

Anstie went down and Febvre into the lead and France cruising to victory. After five laps its Febvre, Anstie, Herlings, Van Horebeek, Paulin, Tonus, Seewer, Gajser, Wilson, Cairoli, Coldenhoff, Leok, Seely, Noren and Bobryshev 15^th.

Seely again struggling against the GP riders as he drops to 16^th place and Covington in 20^th. Seely into 19^th and Ferris way back. It’s a done day for USA and Australia. Seely another DNF, and again a rear end problem.

Herlings closed on Anstie and Anstie onto Febvre. Top three all-together. Anstie all over Febvre and nearly landed on him over a jump. Anstie much quicker.

Anstie into the lead and Febvre tried to fight back and its giving Herlings a chance to catch them. He was 12 seconds back when he got to third.

Anstie held off a late challenge from Herlings to win the moto and help Team Great Britain onto the podium. France win it from Netherlands and Great Britain.

 Race 3 (MXGP + Open) – Classification

1 19 Anstie, Max GBR ACU Husqvarna 37:59.163
2 6 Herlings, Jeffrey NED KNMV KTM 38:00.271
3 3 Febvre, Romain FRA FFM Yamaha 38:59.174
4 10 Van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL FMB Yamaha 39:19.722
5 67 Gajser, Tim SLO AMZS Honda 39:26.564
6 1 Paulin, Gautier FRA MCM Husqvarna 39:36.130
7 13 Cairoli, Antonio ITA FMI KTM 39:44.017
8 21 Wilson, Dean GBR AMA Husqvarna 39:50.756
9 18 Seewer, Jeremy SUI FMS Suzuki 40:01.928
10 16 Tonus, Arnaud SUI FMS Yamaha 40:06.811
11 4 Coldenhoff, Glenn NED KNMV KTM 40:23.654
12 31 Bobryshev, Evgeny RUS MUL Honda 41:00.859
13 12 Strijbos, Kevin BEL FMB Suzuki 38:08.664
14 27 Leok, Tanel EST EMF Husqvarna 38:10.992
15 39 Noren, Fredrik SWE AMA Honda 38:12.452
16 61 Goncalves, Rui POR FMP Husqvarna 38:13.794
17 9 Covington, Thomas USA MUL Husqvarna 38:14.438
18 15 Lupino, Alessandro ITA FMI Honda 38:28.973
19 24 Gibbs, Kirk AUS MA KTM 39:10.430
20 42 Olsen, Stefan Kjer DEN DMU Kawasaki 39:16.627

Herlings wins second moto

While Jeffrey Herlings of Team Netherlands won the second moto, the battle for the Chamberlain trophy was now between Team France, Team Australia and Team The Netherlands. Brilliance by Herlings, but also 18 year old Aussie Hunter Lawrence, who won the MX2 overall for the weekend, and could have easily finished with 4-3 results had he not crashed in the late stages of the second moto, finishing with 4-8 results.

“I had a good start in first,” Herlings said. “I pulled a gap, but the track is so slick and I made a small crash. I took my time to get some good lines and managed to overtake Romain for first place, so that was good.”

Herlings quickly took the lead, with Febvre, Ullrich, Gibbs, Leok, Lupino, Charlier, Sanayei, Wilson, Osborne, Strijbos, Cervellin, Baranov, Lawrence, Olsen. Searle in 28^th, Seewer 30^th, and Covington in 38^th. Team Great Britain and Team USA in terrible trouble for an overall victory. Team France with two riders inside the top ten.

World Enduro rider Charlier moved past AMA 250 champion Osborne, ridiculous, but true, and Covington down again.

Herlings once again taking it easy in the early going, his typical race strategy. Lawrence ninth and Gibbs third as the Aussies move into second place in the overall standings. Lawrence and Osborne going head to head as the Aussie makes the pass and gives the Aussies something to get excited about.

After two laps its Herlings, Febvre, Gibbs, Lupino, Charlier, Lawrence, Leok, Osborne, Wilson, Ullrich, Strijbos, Sanayei, Olsen, Cervellin and Bogers.

Herlings went down in the mud, but didn’t lose too much time, still in second. Febvre threw his goggles off, and slipping and sliding his way in first place.

Lawrence into fifth place and chasing down Lupino in fourth place. The Aussies are closing in on France, although they need some luck in the final moto. Going head to head against Febvre and Paulin Gibbs and Ferris would have their hands full.

Charlier goes past Lawrence and Lupino all over Gibbs, the Aussies getting some problems now. Searle in 20^th, and Covington 26^th. Team USA are out of contention. Seewer in for new goggles and miles back.

As he does, Herlings picks up the pace, and closes right up on Febvre. After five laps it was Febvre, Herlings, Gibbs, Lupino, Charlier, Osborne, Lawrence, Wilson, Leok, Sanayei, Olsen, Strijbos, Medaglia, Olsen, Noren, Cervellin, Searle, Ullrich, and Ostlund.

Lawrence into seventh as Osborne moves into sixth, but the chance of a top five is still tough for the American riders. Covington 25^th and Searle now 17^th.

Lawrence closed up on Osborne, and the American closed up on Charlier, the top three MX2 guys all together. Herlings all over Febvre for the lead.

Osborne now the lead MX2 rider as he moved into fifth. The top ten after seven laps was Febvre, Herlings, Gibbs, Lupino, Osborne, Lawrence, Charlier, Wilson, Leok, Olsen in 10^th. Covington lapped by Febvre after seven laps.

Herlings so beautiful on a bike, as he clearly passed Febvre, just too good. He takes the lead and as Febvre drops to second and Charlier seventh the Dutch and the Aussies make a little ground on the French. Team France riders 2-7, Team Netherlands 1-11 and Team Australia 4-6. The French eight points ahead of Holland. Those are the teams going for the victory in the final moto.

Herlings lead three seconds over Febvre, then came Lupino, Gibbs, Osborne, Lawrence, Charlier, Wilson, Leok, Olsen, Bogers, Strijbos, Sanayei, Seewer and Medaglia.

Lawrence back past Osborne, and onto Gibbs for fourth place. Soon after he passed Gibbs. The best MX2 rider of the day, without doubt. Lawrence closing down Lupino in third. Bogers goes past Olsen, to help the Netherlands a little.

Lawrence goes past Lupino, but the 450 rider had too much speed for the young Aussie. Osborne went past Gibbs to move into fifth, and Bogers up to ninth. Lawrence now third and riding like a legend.

Searle up to 15^th place, but it’s going to be tough for Team Great Britain to make the podium unless the French, Dutch or Aussies have bad luck in the final moto.

With throw away races it was France 12pts, Australia 13pts, and Holland 18pts, but then Lawrence crashed and handed Osborne the MX2 lead, and makes it tough for the Aussies now as Lawrence dropped to 8^th place.

Herlings wins the moto and Team France with a handy points lead going into the final moto. Only teams with a real shot at winning the overall are France, The Netherlands and Australia. With a throw-away race its France 11pts, Australia 17pts and The Netherlands 18pts.

Team Points after two motos

1 France 25
2 Race 2 3 FEBVRE, Romain FFM Yamaha
3 Race 1 1 PAULIN, Gautier MCM Husqvarna
6 Race 2 2 CHARLIER, Christophe FFM Husqvarna
14 Race 1 2 CHARLIER, Christophe FFM Husqvarna

2 The Netherlands 30
1 Race 2 6 HERLINGS, Jeffrey KNMV KTM
8 Race 1 4 COLDENHOFF, Glenn KNMV KTM
9 Race 2 5 BOGERS, Brian KNMV KTM
12 Race 1 5 BOGERS, Brian KNMV KTM

3 Australia 39
4 Race 1 23 LAWRENCE, Hunter MA Suzuki
5 Race 2 24 GIBBS, Kirk MA KTM
8 Race 2 23 LAWRENCE, Hunter MA Suzuki
22 Race 1 22 FERRIS, Dean MA Yamaha

4 Switzerland 55
5 Race 1 16 TONUS, Arnaud FMS Yamaha
14 Race 2 18 SEEWER, Jeremy FMS Suzuki
18 Race 2 17 GUILLOD, Valentin FMS Honda
18 Race 1 17 GUILLOD, Valentin FMS Honda

5 Great Britain 60
1 Race 1 19 ANSTIE, Max ACU Husqvarna
7 Race 2 21 WILSON, Dean AMA Husqvarna
15 Race 2 20 SEARLE, Tommy ACU Kawasaki
37 Race 1 20 SEARLE, Tommy ACU Kawasaki

6 Belgium 60
7 Race 1 10 VAN HOREBEEK, Jeremy FMB Yamaha
12 Race 2 12 STRIJBOS, Kevin FMB Suzuki
17 Race 1 11 VAN DONINCK, Brent FMB Yamaha
24 Race 2 11 VAN DONINCK, Brent FMB Yamaha

MXoN Moto One

Anstie wins moto one

Major drama in the mud in moto one as Team USA and Team Great Britain had riders DNF in the tough, muddy conditions. The star of the moto was home rider Max Anstie who scored a start to finish victory, leading home Tim Gajser and Gautier Paulin.

“That was unreal,” Anstie said. “The best thing I have ever done in my life. It felt like an Enduro, I did 10 minutes and I looked up and I still had 20 minutes to go. I just tried to do my thing. What an amazing feeling. I can’t wait to do the next one of the fans. Its unreal.”

Anstie led early from Coldenhoff, followed by Paulin, Tonus, Gajser, Lawrence, Seely, Butron, Bobryshev, Osborne, Ferris, Van Horebeek, Olsen and Bogers.

Anstie made a massive lead over Paulin who had passed Coldenhoff. Cairoli down in turn one and back in 15^th place. Searle in 17^th place.

Coldenhoff stalled the bike and Tonus past the Dutchman. The Dutch struggling somewhat now. Seely down to 16^th place and struggling terribly against this competition. Osborne into 10^th place. Team Australian rider Dean Ferris is even more trouble than Seely, as he is back in 34^th position.

Ostlund passed Seely to drop the American to 17^th place and Cairoli up to 12^th place as his team-mate Cervellin was 22^nd. Charlier also struggling for France as he was 20^th.

After two laps the lead by Anstie was 11 seconds, flying in front of his home fans, but Searle back to 17^th, and Seely now 37^th.

Searle down to 20^th place, but many of the MX2 guys struggling badly. Three that were strong though were Lawrence in sixth place, Olsen seventh, and Osborne in 10^th. Bogers 13^th also doing well on the MX2 bike. Ferris last, and Seely 34^th, the Aussies and Americans struggling badly with their MX1 riders.

Lawrence moved onto Coldenhoff, and tried to move into fifth place. Olsen also right on that group. Searle now 30^th after three laps. Another casualty from the opening moto. Seely up to 31^st and Ferris into 32^nd, with Searle 37^th.

Seely problems with his suspension is as good as out of the moto. Charlier using his endure skills into 16^th and not a bad place now as some of the other MX2 guys struggle. Osborne can’t get out of 10^th place as he drops well back from Van Horebeek in 9^th.

Coldenhoff in fifth and Bogers in 13^th are not flying, but being consistent enough help Team Netherlands to the podium. Seely and Searle out of the race it seems.

After five laps, the lead by Anstie is 12 seconds, then Paulin, Tonus, Gajser, Coldenhoff, Lawrence, Bobryshev, Olsen, Van Horebeek, and Osborne 10^th.

At this stage France led with 2-15, then Holland with 5-13 and then Switzerland with 3-20. Belgium held 8-20 places. The other top teams are struggling with riders at the back of the pack.

Gajser moved past Tonus to get into third and after seven laps it was Anstie, Paulin, Gajser, Tonus, Lawrence, Coldenhoff, Bobryshev, Van Horebeek, Olsen, Osborne, Cairoli, Ratsep, Bogers, Ostlund, and Charlier 15^th. Ferris up to 27^th and still keeping the Aussies in it.

Gajser went past Paulin and suddenly its France with 18 points and Netherlands with 19^th points. With Herlings for the second and third motos the Dutch must look like favourites now. Ferris up to 23^rd place, and Team Australia have now 30 points and are in the top five.

Lawrence moved into fifth place and Ferris also looking to move up a few places. Osborne up to 8th, then back to 10th, and trying to help Team USA into the top five. Lawrence moved into fourth, passing Tonus late.

Anstie wins it from Gajser and Paulin. Team France and Team Netherlands the two top teams after moto one. Team France lead with 17 points, then Team Netherlands with 20 points. Then came Team Belgium with 24 points, Team Switzerland 23 points, Team Australia with 26 points.

 Race 1 (MXGP + MX2) – Classification

1 19 Anstie, Max GBR ACU Husqvarna 36:10.357
2 67 Gajser, Tim SLO AMZS Honda 36:16.608
3 1 Paulin, Gautier FRA MCM Husqvarna 36:19.755
4 23 Lawrence, Hunter AUS MA Suzuki 36:51.764
5 16 Tonus, Arnaud SUI FMS Yamaha 36:55.335
6 31 Bobryshev, Evgeny RUS MUL Honda 37:05.953
7 10 Van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL FMB Yamaha 37:10.604
8 4 Coldenhoff, Glenn NED KNMV KTM 37:18.991
9 41 Olsen, Thomas Kjer DEN DMU Husqvarna 37:30.118
10 8 Osborne, Zachary USA AMA Husqvarna 37:41.483
11 13 Cairoli, Antonio ITA FMI KTM 37:56.447
12 5 Bogers, Brian NED KNMV KTM 38:18.185
13 25 Ratsep, Priit EST EMF Honda 38:22.805
14 2 Charlier, Christophe FRA FFM Husqvarna 38:24.938
15 38 Östlund, Alvin SWE SVEMO Yamaha 38:29.941
16 61 Goncalves, Rui POR FMP Husqvarna 38:30.346
17 11 Van doninck, Brent BEL FMB Yamaha 38:35.483
18 17 Guillod, Valentin SUI FMS Honda 36:25.863
19 65 Jacobi, Henry GER DMSB Husqvarna 36:35.301
20 26 Kullas, Harri EST EMF Husqvarna 36:38.634

France Tops MXoN Qualifying

France Top MXoN Qualifying from The Netherlands - Australia Qualify Third

By: Aaryn Minerds

Check out all the results from the 2017 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations being held at Matterly Basin

Team France will have first pick of the gate for tomorrow's MXoN final after both Romain Febvre and Gatuier Paulin finished 2nd in their respective MXopen and MXGP races, while THE Netherland thanks to Jeffery Herlings MX Open race win combined by Brian Bogers MX2 3rd place will have the second pick.

In a great effort the Australian team finished qualifying in 3rd positions.

Dean Ferris opened proceedings with a fine 7th place finish in the opening MXGP race, before Hunter Lawrence grabbed the holeshot in the MX2 race and looked like he would take the win before American Zach Osbourne caught and passed him on the final lap as the duo finished 23 seconds ahead of the field.

With the Australian's already set for a top 3-5 qualifying position, Kirk Gibbs ensured it was a top three when he finished a fantastic fourth in the MX Open race. After a good jump, Gibbs pushed his way forward through the first turn and made his way into 4th by the second turn and held strong all race.

Team USA finished the day in 5th after Osbourne's MX2 win, while the host nation Great Britain rouned out the top five.

Final Team Qualifying results
1. France - 4 Pts
2. The Netherlands - 4 Pts
3. Australia - 6 Pts
4. USA - 8 Pts
5. Great Britain - 9 Pts
6. Switzerland - 11 Pts
7. Belgium - 11 Pts
8. Italy - 13 Pts
9. Denmark - 18 Pts
10. Estonia - 19 Pts
11. Spain - 20 Pts
12. Puerto Rico - 21 Pts
13. Ireland - 22 Pts
14. Germany - 23 Pts
15. Canada - 25 Pts
16. Portugal - 26 Pts
17. Slovenia - 26 Pts
18. Sweden - 27 Pts
19. Russia - 28 Pts

Tom White...A Little Dirt Bike History!

Tom White and the Yamaha DT-1

Graham Jarvis wins Red Bull Sea to Sky

Photo credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

Graham Jarvis rules the mountain to win the 2017 Red Bull Sea to Sky in Turkey.

Becoming the most dominant rider in the eight-year history of the race, Jarvis scaled the 2365m high Olympos Mountain first to collect his fifth victory in the event.

 Proving a good day for Sherco, Mario Roman and Wade Young completed the podium.

“That’s easily one of my greatest victories here at Sea to Sky,” told Jarvis. “I had to work for that one, it was a close race from bottom to top.”

“My start wasn’t great and I had a bit of catching up to do. Wade and Mario were really pushing the pace up front.

Photo credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

“Then I broke my clutch perch and housing mid way through and had to tape it to the handlebars. I had no clutch in some places.

“I caught the two guys properly in the second last climb, within sight of the finish line and made it up first.

“I’m a happy man, I think a few beers are in order tonight!”

For the majority of the race it was a Sherco 1-2 with Roman and Young setting the pace. Roman led initially then Young took over as they sized each other up.

Photo credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

Young led into the second last climb but Jarvis nipped past him there.

Then with about 50 metres to go, Roman snuck past as Young became beached on a rock, in a move that was a carbon copy of what happened two years ago when Andreas Lettenbichler snuck past too.

Getting the better of his teammate, Roman cross the line to take the runner-up result in his first time of asking at Red Bull Sea to Sky.

“I”m so happy with this result, to come here for my first time and get on the podium is great,” said Roman.

“I was riding with Wade and he just made that mistake at the end and I got the position.”

Feeling a little short changed at the finish, Young completed the top three.

“I’m a bit gutted with that, I went from first to third within sight of the finish line, it’s a bitter pill to swallow,” admitted Young.

Photo credit: Robert Lynn/Future7Media

Behind the top three it was Alfredo Gomez who took his KTM home in fourth.

Putting in a solid and determined ride, Billy Bolt brought his Husqvarna home in fifth while Jonny Walker completed the top six with Lars Enockl seventh.

Qualifying Highlights MXoN 2017