Bench Racing Ammo: Ze Germans!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 | 1:20 PM
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PrintWhy not Germany?
Motocross was born in Europe--Racer X Illustrated traced roots of the first-ever motocross race back to March 29, 1924 in England, but things really picked up thanks to a dearth of ex-military bikes available post World War II, and the (obviously) crumpled roads that existed after the war. Perhaps that's why the relatively small nation of Belgium--which historians says had more blood soaked into its soil via the two World Wars than any other--ended up having such deep roots in the sport. And England itself enjoyed great early success, running up a string of early victories at the Motocross des Nations. Oh, and about that "des" thing--it's French, and no doubt that nation has many roots in the sport as well.
In fact, quite a few countries have had their run. Sweden was a motocross super power through the 1960s and 1970s. The USSR won the MXdN Chamberlain Trophy twice. Italy has generated quite a few World Champions, including current dominator Tony Cairoli, and they scored their one and only MXdN triumph during the era of U.S. domination, in Brazil in 1999. Germany? Until 2010, they had not even scored so much as a podium in the event.
Over the last three MXoN, Ken Roczen has become a force in the MX2 Class. But in Lommel, he found another gear and lead Germany to its first overall.
Ray Archer photo
But that 2010 German team was quite good. After the U.S. cleaned house at the 2007 "home" race at Budds Creek, it was expected that the Yanks would dominate in similar fashion in Colorado. It was not the case. Trey Canard had a crash in the first moto, and then Andrew Short was cleaned out by Ben Townley in moto two, and Germany was suddenly leading the event in points heading into the third and final moto.
Most of that came on the back of the rider who has almost single handily made his nation a power in this sport, Ken Roczen. Roczen's MXdN performances should really rank him amongst the all-time greats, as he's now won the MX2 Class at the event three-straight times, and most often the next MX2 rider isn't even close. This year, his moto scores were 5-4, where the next highest MX2 riders in the motos had 10-6 scores.
Last year Roczen went 2-4, with the next best MX2 finishes at 8-11. In 2010, Roczen went 6-3 versus the next MX2 finisher going 8-6. That means Roczen has not only been the top MX2 rider in the last six motos at this event, no other MX2 rider has even finished right behind him. Back in the day, this event scored the classes separately, but nowadays everyone is scored on their overall result. When you can get an MX2 ace like Roczen shoving several 450s between himself and everyone else's MX2 pilots, you've got a massive advantage in points.
The Germans will return home for the 2013 MXoN with their first Chamberlain Trophy in hand.
Ray Archer photo
But everyone knew Kenny would be tough. Could his teammates hold up? The Roczen/Nagl/Schiffer team nearly pulled off that 2010 win, but Nagl and Schiffer ultimately couldn't hold up their end of the bargain, generating just one top-ten finish in their four results (Schiffer's 14-16, especially, didn't get the job done). Last year, Nagl missed the race with an injury.
Which brings us to 2012. Roczen did his thing again, but Schiffer and Nagl were much, much better. Nagl suffered through an injury-riddled season in the GPs, but he did show some form late in the season. He was on his game in Lommel with his clutch third in his first moto. Schiffer needed to get a top ten, and he did much better than that with a seventh. Suddenly they were in position to bring it home. And Nagl did with a pressure-packed sixth in the final race.
Where does Germany go from here? Home! They host the race next year, and coming in as defending champions is bound to make this a high-water mark moment for the sport in that country. It's about time they had it.
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Congratulations to Ken and the German team for a great performance! ... "We'll be back"
Congrats to Team Germany, and to KROC in particular. His first full season here in the States was less than stellar (he said so) and not as he expected. He has redeemed himself very well on his home turf, and shows the entire world what a world calibre champion he is.
Next year the U.S. will see a different KROC at the SX and MX series. He will have the confidence, and knowledge of the US tracks with which to base the success he will have.
I see his only competition as super-alien ET, but will have various battles with the likes ofMusquin, Bogle, Hahn, and a few others, but ultimately the MX series will be two racers, KROC and the ET.
SX will be a little more difficult, but if he can stay on 2 wheels, he will contend no matter which coast he races........
Well done Kenny, stay focused, maintain your humility, and you will dominate in the U.S. as you have in Europe.
Until you get to the 450 class..............then you will be with the "big boys" and there will be ALOT more fast guys to contend with. I'll be rooting for you every race!
This is my final serving of crow. I called the USA for victory, and even told others to mark my words. Germany put me in my place, and for that I give them all the credit they deserve. They were the best - no asterisks, not caviats, no B.S. You are at the top of your game, and deserve your props!
"Motocross des Nations" translates to "Motocross of Nations" in German as well. It's not just French. I remember reading in MXA in the 90's that it translates in numerous languages, that's why it was used instead of English.
Definite congrats to the German team.
I think Roczen's performance last year at the MXoN in France (2011), was even more impressive. The track was gnarly, on the side of a steep hill. He finished 2nd in the MX1/MX2 moto, behind only Reed, beating Dungey. In the MX2/MX3 moto, he finished 4th, just behind Villopoto.
Awesome job Germany, they deserve it. I think the smaller countries winning is quite a feat... well done.
Seems Ken Roczen is inadvertently stirring it up with Ryan Dungey on twitter:
KR: At least this time team USA saw that when you go away from home, it's not always easy. Conditions are brutal for you and normal for us.
RD: ???????
KR: ?
Great article Weege. The US definitely made a mess of that race, big time. I must say though the attitude of all your three riders post race was very commendable. Good job.
Good job germans!!!!!!
Woooot!!!!!
Italy has 2 wins at the MXDN, 1999 and 2002. Try checking you facts instead of going off your memory once in a while. Nearly every article on this site has an error similar to this. Google and the RacerX vault are easy to use.
Kroc is most impressive and by next summer he should be the one who will be bringing home the wins. Hopefully he will keep himself in check and not lose sight of himself as alot of young men have.
@ BillC looks like Europe and Roczen made you eat crow this year how does it taste !!! Put a little A-1 on it it goes down much better
BillC wrote: 7:16am July 26, 2012
chit for brains euromike is here!! Tell us why Roczen and MM are not kill it here big mouth!!! Thats all we heard from you last year "wait till next year Roczen will win everything" LOL you are such a TOOL and anyone who thinks it's funny to see someone crash is an A-HOLE!!! also please stop crying about the MXD, Its been thjat way fro EVER and no one cares what you says.
Watching the sand masters nearly wore out my pause and rewind button. Incredible stuff.
peabodybill...lol go easy on billc lol dont 4get euromike does go out his way to wind folk up on here....and billc bites....and euromike stires the pot again ect ect....
its all just banter and somestimes quite a funny read!!
i really think the best thing that came out of this yrs nations was by reading most of the stuff on here....a new found respect from the american fans for how good or fast the gp boys are now....
i doubt there be half as much trash tlk now....
@ArmPump - we invented "trash talk" and it is about as 'merican as Hamburgers and French Fries(pun intended). Trust me, the trash talk is here to stay. Just mention how JS7 is the fastest man on the planet, then watch the message boards absolutely bleed with the stuff. Every 'merican has at least one opinion, and we are a passionate bunch when airing out our misinformed and backwards ideas. I believe that it is a right listed in the constitution - the right to talk like an idiot (as I am doing now).
Is the Nina Hagen boys dedicated their win to the greatest german mx racer ever Paul Friedrichs ?
Definitely a confidence builder for K-Roc. Where he goes from here is straight up most likely.
Great for Max Nagl after getting booted from KTM. He picks up a Factory Honda ride and wins MXdN.............Lands on both feet and hits the ground running!
Wow Weege, NO mention of Marcus Schiffer at all!?!?! His performances did have a little something to do with Germany's win. Show the guy some love for pete's sake.
Welcome to the "Chamberlain Club" Germany! Well done and best of luck on home turf next year.
I have a feeling my German buddies are going to have me sick of hearing "Deutchland uber alles" by the end of this Oktoberfest.........cheers anyways!
Now even my cat wants a KTM 350 and a vacation at lommel....wants to test the sand.... the Monster Cup , RV ,Canard and Reed and Havoc can't get here fast enough for me....lol....the super euros are welcome to come cherry pick.......
@BigUglyManic-" we invented "trash talk" and it is about as 'merican as Hamburgers and French Fries(pun intended). Trust me, the trash talk is here to stay." Now that is funny, but I like it, keeps the blood flowing for next season. So where is Euromike, out there gloating in the sunset?
@Himmler...
Is there a clip somewhere of the German team dedicating the win to Nina Hagen? I would love to see that! She was a great punk singer from the 80s. I saw her live a few times over here.
@LastBikeRM250 I saw her during the NunSexMonkRock tour .. Euro ZOZO'S couldnt hold a candle to the Lil big tit b"tch
Yeah, I think Roczen vindicated himself by finishing the season this way. And btw, Weege, I don't think you mean 'dearth' - that means a lack of something, and I think you meant there was a SURPLUS of military bikes after WWII - right?
@COD - give Weege a break, in the off season, he is barely sober and cohesive enough to pen the story - gotta get the rest in so he can be his usual highly enthusiastic announcing self for the MEC and A1. Go ahead Weege, and get another one with an umbrella... you deserve it. Just don't loose your salt shaker in the process...
Jason, As always you bring thorough research and logic to Racer-X. If you were to ask me before this past weekend, a top 5 would have been tops for Germany. Kenny, and Max were strong links in the chain, but Schiffer was the one who I was not too familiar with, and kept my faith back with a top five pick.
Kenny and Max (both) in qualifying had my jaw on the coffee table on Saturday going in. But, their performances on Sunday, (when it really counted) was again surprising and very impressive.
And with Schiffer's 14th place performance in the final Moto, nailed the deal Germany.
Motocross is to me, much more of an individual sport, regardless of the country you're from. But, this once a year event, called the MXdN, countries and teams take center stage, and this year was obviously time for Germany to wear the Crown of Champions.
If people thought young Ken Roczen was Germany's daling before last weekend, he could be down right dangerous with what he could get away with right now.
Mothers and Fathers all over Germany, lock up your daughters, before it's too late. "King Kenny" is loose and packin heat, as it were!... Ha, Ha, Ha!!!
Congratulations Germany, Belgium for a close 2nd and USA for a hard fought 3rd place on the podium. Prost !!!
Nice Omage, Jason...
@Yitzhak_Rabin; You sound like a once Racer-X contributing editor (gone postal).
That is no way to get your job back, my friend.
Check your meds, and lose that Alias, would be my recommendation, and get your own show...
@ CZmark, multiple losses can't shut him up but, a big win and nothing........weird. He might still be plastered somewhere in the low countries, babbling about the win to anyone who will listen.
BigUglyManiac...pmsl ok mayb ya rite lol there loads of trash talk....!!!
way i see it...if my dad had loads of money and i had started riding at 3 had 2 new bikes every yr didnt have to go to school....id be world champ 10 and a half times ama supercross and nats champ 10 and abit times and of won the nations just under 11 times with out a team as id ride all classes....
i would be the fastest man on the planet....
id even have my own gear called WIN!
pow pow!!!! yes im mental somestimes
@sdillinger
Motocross of Nations in German is "Motocross der Nationen," not "Motocross des Nations." Nation in German is a feminine noun, meaning the genitive definite article is "der" and no -s is added to the end of Nation. Nationen is the plural of Nation and the genitive plural definite article is "der" as well.
That notwithstanding, "des" is the singular masculine and neuter definite article in German, so I can easily see how that mistake could be made.
@ Jess_Wilder Thanks for the education GENE Wilder IV you ""F''ing flamer !
Euromike is back in Cleveland working a double........
Grats to the Germans once again, Ya's kicked our butts good. Hey wasn't Adolf Weil from germany? If so, why isn't he refered to in here, sissys? ;)
Wow, good point. Adolf Weil was my favorite Euro back in the day, maybe more than DeCoster. 1st, he was about 10-12 years older than everyone, he was built like a bull, and yet he rode those Maicos so smoothly. Plus, he never seemed to get tired and if he wasn't fastest early in a race, by the end (40 minutes +2) ole Adolph had quietly cruised his Maico right into the mix. Loved that guy.
And don't forget Willy Bauer who rode with Adolf Weil. I saw both of them, Weil won the race, at the 1973 Trans-AMA at Rabbit Run near Plano Texas. It was a mud race, and Adolf Weil dominated on his Maico.......
Those were the days... when all the Euros used to come to America.