FIM MX of Nations
One day ahead of the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations, occurring in Lakewood’s Thunder Valley Motocross Park, Denver, Colorado, several of the 30 entered teams had the chance to talk to the hundreds of international media about their ambitions and feelings ahead of the year’s biggest event.
USA, France, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and more did confirm their maximum commitment to the event.
Presented by former MXoN winner Paul Malin of Great Britain and American Presenter Amanda Woods, the press conference started with the Welcome Ceremony headed by Youthstream President Giuseppe Luongo and FIM/CMS Dr Wolfgan Srb and they were all accompanied by David Clabaugh, owner of Thunder Valley Motocross Park, and Rob Dingman, AMA President.
Giuseppe Luongo confirmed that in 2013 there will be a new USA venue for the Motocross of Nations and by Sunday there might the confirmation of the event.
David Clabaugh expressed his satisfaction of working together with Youthstream to make this event come true and also expressed his excitement to be able to host the 2010 Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations.
Rob Dingman thanked all the parties involved in the organization of such important event and he stood out the importance of having FIM as a partner to elevate the sport all around the world. Eventually Dr Srb confirmed what the other parties announced as he also looks forward to another great event.
The press conference continued with last year’s winners and current record holder -courtesy of 20 MXoN wins- Team USA.
The Americans are lining up 2010 World Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey, who was in the team also last year, together with young gun Trey Canard, winner of the 2010 AMA 250cc Nationals, and Colorado born Andrew Short, definitely one of the few riders who knows exactly how it is to race in Colorado. Team Manager continues being Roger De Coster, now part of KTM after leaving Suzuki.
Second on the podium last year, France lines up a strong trio and aims at beating the Americans on home soil to take their second Chamberlain Trophy. Managed by Olivier Robert, Gautier Paulin will be riding in MX1 as he replaces injured Christophe Pourcel, the first choice of the team manager. The MX2 rider will be the category’s World Champion Marvin Musquin, while Xavier Boog will be in the Open class.
Belgium is another strong line up chasing the Chamberlain Trophy this year, with Team Manager Joel Smets looking for the first team’s win since he fully entered the position in 2007. Two time Motocross World Champion Steve Ramon leads the way in the MX1 class with Jeremy Van Horebeek in MX2. Runner up in the MX1 World Championship Clement Desalle takes on the MX3 class. The Belgian aims at taking the MXoN win as a consolation for the Title loss.
Missing the podium last year, Germany is even more determined to enter the event’s top three in 2010. Headed by Olaf Noack, Marcus Schiffer will be in the MX1 class, the German having just made his debut on Suzuki. Sensation Ken Roczen will be in the MX2 class with the goal of finishing the season on a high note after losing the MX2 World Title to Marvin Musquin. Completing the team in the Open class will be Max Nagl, another disappointed German looking for revenge as he broke his collarbone while chasing Cairoli for the MX1 Title.
Putting Great Britain together was a hard task for Team Manager Steve Dixon, facing the injuries of top riders such as Tommy Searle and Shaun Simpson. Finally it will be Jake Nicholls’ occasion to debut in the MXoN, in the MX1 class. America based Dean Wilson – born in Scotland – will race the MX2 class after he completed a strong season in the AMA Supercross and Motocross Championships in the 250cc class. MXoN veteran Brad Anderson will be racing the Open class taking his experience of multiple National Championship wins to the service of his motherland.
Italy’s participation to the event instead was a big drama. Initially top riders Tony Cairoli and David Philippaerts were not due to race because of sponsorship clashes in between their Federation and the riders’ Manufacturers and Sponsors. When everyone came to an agreement at the last Grand Prix of 2010 at Fermo, Italy, and Cairoli and Philippaerts were back in the team, both injured at their home event.
Philippaerts will need to rest longer than Cairoli, meaning that only the four time World Champion will be in Lakewood – Cairoli only suffered a stretch to his ankle ligament and will be fully fit for the weekend. 2010 FIM MX1 World Champion Cairoli will also develop the task of Italy Team manager and will share his experience in the Nations with the youngster MX2 rider Alessandro Lupino and Manuel Monni, who will replace Philippaerts in the Open class.
In the sad year of Andrew McFarlane’s death, Team Australia and their manager Gary Benn have put together the best the country could offer, with Chad Reed being out for illness. Brett Metcalfe will be in MX1 while Dean Ferris will race the MX2, the youngster having made a few appearances this year in the MX1 World Championship. Jay Marmont will complete the Team in the Open class.
Another one coming from “Down Under” is Team New Zealand, this weekend recording the last International appearance of bastion Joshua Coppins who will retire to race only national events as of 2011. Coppins will be in the MX1 class with Brad Groombridge selected to race the MX2 class. Former World Champion Ben Townley completes the squad in the Open class as he is motivated to race against his many World Championship rivals this weekend.
Missing out on last year’s event, Japan will make its comeback this year with their top riders Akira Narita in MX1, Takuya Mihara in MX2 and Yoshitaka Atsuta in the Open class. While Narita and Atsuta are multiple All Japan Champions and have already raced the event before, Mihara will make his debut as he plans to earn a lot of experience from his wiser countrymen. Team Japan will work really hard to do a good job this weekend and will do their best to continue attending the upcoming MXoN.
Misfortune hit Spain when 2010 FIM MX3 World Champion Carlos Campano – the first ever Spaniard being crowned Motocross World Champion – injured himself two weeks ago and the team lost a key racer in their three men line up. GP winner Jonathan Barragan will race in MX1, the works Kawasaki rider having missed a good part of the 2010 season due to a leg injury. Jose Butron will be in MX2 while MXoN Veteran Alvaro Lozano will complete the team in the Open class as he stands in for injured Campano.
Being a constant presence in the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations since 2007, Puerto Rico lines up Christian Ruiz in MX1, GP winner Zach Osborne in MX2 and in the Open class there will be Kyle Regal.
Last but not least, Canada was presented to the media as a sort of “second home team”. A very young line up will be headed by MX1’s Jeremy Medaglia, with Kaven Benoit racing the MX2 and Kyle Keast the Open class.
2009 Nations top ten: USA, France, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Australia, Estonia, Republic of South Africa, Switzerland.
People who will turn up at the American venue will be able to purchase a Saturday ticket at the price of USD 40 and a Sunday ticket at the price of $70. Weekend tickets will also be available at the gate for the price of $90.
Red Bull FIM MXoN – Quick Facts:
Circuit length: 1740 mt
Type of ground: intermediate hard pack
Saturday: Free Practice MX1 10:00; Free practice MX2 11:00; Free Practice Open 12:00; Qualifying Heat MX1 14:30; Qualifying Heat MX2 15:30; Qualifying Heat Open 16:30; Youthstream MX Awards 18:30.
Sunday: Warm-up B-Final 8:40; Warm-up MXoN Group 1 9:10; Warm-up MXoN Group 2 9:40; B-Final 11:00; MXoN Race 1 (MX1+MX2) 13:08; MXoN Race 2 (MX2+Open) 14:38; MXoN Race 3 (MX1+Open) 16:08.
