Cairoli and Italy make Italian Nations dream come true!
For the third time ever and for the first time since 2002, the Italians have won the MX of Nations! In a real thriller, the home country narrowly defeated defending champions the Netherlands. Despite another very strong Jeffrey Herlings who also dominated the last race for Cairoli and Coldenhoff.
Herlings stormed to a great holeshot with Tony Cairoli and Ben Watson in his wake. Thomas-Kjer Olsen, the winner of the combined MXGP/MX2 opening race, crashed at the start. Glenn Coldenhoff also started well. The Italian Alessandro Lupino got into trouble just before the second corner and saw no other way out than to slip inside. During the heat it became clear that the competition jury was investigating this race fact, but it was a long wait for their final verdict and especially the penalty that would follow. Ultimately, Lupino was placed 10 places back.
The final initially started positively for the Belgians, as both Genot and Van Doninck were initially in the top 15. However, due to an early fall by Brent, Team Belgium's podium dream was in jeopardy. To make matters worse, things went wrong a little later for Genot, who was hit by a car and damaged the clutch lever. Over and out for the riders of team manager Johan Boonen.
Herlings was firmly in the saddle at the front, followed by Cairoli and Watson. Just when the match seemed to be coming to a final conclusion, one dramatic moment followed another! Not least for the Italians who were in the lead at that time. Alessandro Lupino choked spectacularly at the end of the waves and would make another mistake shortly afterwards. Ben Watson almost went off hard on a jump but responded adequately to limit the damage. The British Yamaha factory rider tried to straighten his handlebars and chased Coldenhoff who had taken over Watson's third place.
Watson's teammate Shaun Simpson pulled off a heroic performance. The Scot suffered a serious injury to his thumb yesterday but kept Team Great Britain on the podium thanks to a 6th place. The Italians shook and trembled, literally and figuratively. Lupino was clearly not himself after his fall, but the former youth world champion slipped past Karlis Sabulis for an extremely important extra point in favor of the Italians.
For the Netherlands - which won the World Cup for national teams in its own country in 2019 - the day turned into a cold shower. Herlings rode resolutely to a double victory, winning the Open category uncontested. Unfortunately, the Dutch team paid the price for Roan van de Moosdijk's unlucky day, who finished 18th and 20th today. The KNMV team continues its podium series because Herlings and co. have been on the podium continuously since 2016.
For the Italian federation, which is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year, winning the Peter Chamberlain Trophy is the icing on the cake. Last month, Italy also won the International Six Days Enduro in its own country.
Ben Watson won the MXGP class individually. He took the British (Watson, Simpson, Mewse) in tow for their fourth consecutive podium.
Rene Hofer was the individual MX2 winner. The Motocross of Nations returns to the US next year. For the 75th editione of the motocross world championship for national teams, the Nations will once again wear Red Bud.
In the final standings, the young Belgians had to settle for sixth place. The last round was undeniably an anticlimax, but all three riders delivered great performances. In addition, Liam Everts was rewarded with the Ricky Carmichael award for the best young person!
Race 3 Results – MXGP/Open
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 36:25.997; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:55.480; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +1:03.943; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +1:07.886; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (MFR, Husqvarna), +1:44.958; 6. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +1:51.152; 7. Vsevolod Brylyakov (MFR, Honda), +1:57.546; 8. Karlis Sabulis (LAT, Husqvarna), +1:59.052; 9. Mathys Islam (FRA, Kawasaki), +2:03.104; 10. Ken Bengtson (SWE, Husqvarna), +2:04.321; 11. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Honda), +2:05.907; 12. Around Harvest (FIN, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 13. Thomas Kjer Olsen (THE, House), -1 lap(s); 14. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 15. Harry Kullas (EST, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 16. Gert Kristinov (EST, Honda), -1 lap(s); 17. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, KTM), +1:55.661; 18. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 19. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 20. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), -1 lap(s); 21. Marcel Stauffer (AUT, KTM), -1 lap(s); 22. Petr Polak (CZE, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 23. Dushan Drdaj (CZE, KTM), -1 lap(s); 24. Miro Sihvonen (FIN, Honda), -1 lap(s); 25. Tyler Medaglia (CAN, GASGAS), -1 lap(s); 26. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 27. Bastian Boegh Damm (DEN, KTM), -1 lap(s); 28. Dovydas Karka (LTU, Yamaha), -2 lap(s); 29. Michael Sandner (AUT, KTM), -2 lap(s); 30. Ander Valentine (ESP, Husqvarna), -2 lap(s); 31. Tristan Purdon (RSA, KTM), -2 lap(s); 32. Dylan Wright (CAN, Honda), -2 lap(s); 33. Michael Grisha Ivanov (BUL, Husqvarna), -8 lap(s); 34. Brent Van doninck (BEL, Yamaha), -11 lap(s); 35. Petar Petrov (BUL, Honda), -13 lap(s); 36. Cyril Genot (BEL, KTM), -16 lap(s); 37. Henry Jacobi (GER, Honda), -16 lap(s);
Final MX of Nations standings
- Italy 37 points
- Netherlands 38 points
- Great Britain 39 points
- Russia 44 points
- France 50 points
- Belgium 74 points
- Estonia 78 points
- Switzerland 80 points
- Austria 82 points
- Denmark 84 points
- Germany 101 points
- Finland 108 points
- Lithuania 110 points
- Canada 112 points
- Latvia 114 points
- Spain 120 points
- Czech Republic 122 points
- Bulgaria 170 points
- Sweden
- South Africa
Photos: Gino Maes
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