MXON2016: Will the Netherlands win for the first time?!
This coming weekend, the traditional highlight of the motocross season will take place in Maggiora, Italy. The 'Motocross Des Nations', renamed the 'Motocross of Nations' for several years now, is one of those events every year that every motocross enthusiast eagerly looks forward to.
This year there are three favorites that everyone should definitely keep an eye on. Among those three favorites are our neighboring countries France and also, since a very long time ago, the Netherlands! The French team is always a team that must be taken into account. French people are given a very large dose of chauvinism at birth. This means that playing for their country is the greatest honor an athlete can receive. At the same time, it also ensures that pilots, who are going through a bad season, rise above themselves once they put on their national shirt. This year it could be said that the French team will start weakened. No Marvin Musquin nor Dylan Ferrandis or Christophe Pourcel. On the other hand, it can count on Romain Febvre, Gautier Pauin and Benoit Paturel. So we are not blabbing when we say that these guys are capable of adding a third victory in a row for France, after Kegums and Ernee.
Besides France, America is another country rife with chauvinism. Only there it calls patriotism. Love for the country. It should therefore come as no surprise that the Americans are the record winners. Each time, the American Federation could count on the best motocross pilots to participate. Because representing the 'stars and stripes' is an honor. Or should we say it was an honor, because commercial interests increasingly seem to be winning. America cannot count on its strongest line-up. No Ryan Dungey, Jeremy Martin or Eli Tomac. The team has to make do with Alex Martin, Jason Anderson and Cooper Webb. Alex Martin was the surprise in the motocross season in America this season and finished second in that championship. This is behind his Team USA teammate Cooper Webb who will compete at the MXON on a 450cc machine in the Open Class. Jason Anderson, in turn, had an irregular season with some outliers, but what he will be able to do on the technical course of Maggiora is the biggest question mark for Team America.
These two teams will undoubtedly have to deal with a strong Netherlands team. That team can count on three-time world champion Jeffrey Herlings in the Open class. In addition to him, Glenn Coldenhoff and Brian Bogers will also start for the Netherlands. With this trio a podium place is realistic and even a victory. Glenn Coldenhoff has been in great form in the last Grand Prix. The KTM pilot has finished no lower than seventh in the last five GPs, and in Assen he finished on the podium. Also on the podium in Assen was Brian Bogers, the HSF pilot had his breakthrough in the WKMX2 this season. He could now end that season with his two companions in an extra glorious way by writing history. In addition, we are firmly convinced that 'record man' Jeffrey Herlings will want to take his first realistic chance of a podium, and/or a win with the Netherlands at the Motocross of Nations. After five second places and five third places, will this trio finally win for the KNMV? Or will they ensure the first podium finish since 2004.
Now we think these three teams are the favorites. But these teams are not unbeatable, other teams will undoubtedly get involved, as this always happens. The MXON is a competition where anything can happen. Where a little luck is a bonus and where the strongest team on paper does not always win. Because motocross is not held on paper.
This year is an edition that can be won by many teams due to the lack of a real dream team. Also by outsiders and one of those outsiders we expect the most from are our fellow countrymen, the Belgians. We saw from Kester that Jeremy Van Horebeek was already putting his YZ250F Yamaha to good use. In the second moto he continued to match the pace of Jeffrey Herlings on his 450cc KTM throughout the series. In addition, we hope that Kevin Strijbos can repeat what he showed in Maggiora last year. Then the man from Wuustwezel won the second round there ahead of Max Nagl and Gautier Paulin. In addition to these two veterans, we can't wait to see how Joel Smet's gamble will turn out. After Clément Desalle's injury, he called up Brent Van Doninck to replace him. However, he chose not to start Brent in his own MX2 class, but to put him on a 450cc machine in the Open Class. An interesting strategy that could possibly pay off.
Another team with a very strong team is the British team. The team left Dean Wilson at home and opted for Shaun Simpson (MX1), Max Anstie (MX2) and Tommy Searle (MXO). We wouldn't be surprised if they competed for a podium place until the last moto, and if the motocross gods are kind, you never know if the ship can founder even further.
The home country, Italy, will start with eight-time world champion Antonio Cairoli as the spearhead of the team. He is complemented by the man who has made many people frown many times this season, namely Samuel Bernadini. The Italian on TM finished 8th in the WKMX2 this season. They are joined by Honda pilot Michele Cervellin. It seems unlikely to us whether this will be enough to compete for victory. But if AC222's teammates can rise above themselves for their own tifosi, a podium place would already be a masterful result.
Finally, we will also point out the following three countries that could surprise you. Switzerland, on paper, seems like a great team with Jeremy Seewer, Valentin Guillod and Arnaud Tonus. But only Jeremy Seewer had a steady season. His Swiss teammates, on the other hand, had ups and downs. But if both Valentin Guillod and Arnaud Tonus perform what they are capable of, Team Swiss could play for the close places of honor for a long time.
One team that took a beating before the match even started is Australia. First the Auzzies saw Kirk Gibbs (Australian MX1 Champion) retire with an injury and then their Australian MX2 Champion, Jed Beaton, injured in a training crash in Lommel. But their line-up still looks more than solid. Well-known names such as Dean Ferris and Todd Waters will make an appearance and they will be joined by the very young, 17-year-old Mitch Evans. This young man took part in the Junior World Championships in Lierneux in 2014.
The last team that can certainly have a shot at a nice place of honor is the Estonian team. This team can count on the enormous experience of Tanel Leok (MX2). The man with experience has already shown several times that he still has a decent basic speed. He will be assisted by Harrii Kullas (MXO) and Priit Rätsep (MX1). Both are also not nozems on engines. So we can conclude with the fact that Estonia has a team of three solid motocross riders who, just like last year, could end up surprisingly close to the podium.
Normally we would also vet the team of the MXGP World Champion. But Tim Gasjer will not appear at the start due to a crash in one of the last training sessions in preparation for the Motocross of Nations. This is without a doubt a loss for individual competition.
Text: Matthias Van Eeckhoven – The full list of participants can be found here
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