French MXdN Rider Pre-Selections

July 11, 2010, 11:56am

Two months prior the 64th edition of the Motocross of Nations, the French Federation revealed this week the list of riders who have been pre selected for this team race. On the podium of the last three editions, the French Team will go to Thunder Valley to get a strong result, dreaming to win again this prestigious competition after 2001.

National trainer since 2001, a few months prior the French Team triumph in Namur (Belgium) where they got an historical success in the Nations, Olivier Robert officially revealed this week the names of seven riders. "As we have this year again a great number of riders who performed well all around the world, our selection counts only riders who already got heat or GP wins. Have been pre selected Marvin Musquin, Christophe Pourcel, Steven Frossard, Gautier Paulin, Xavier Boog, Anthony Boissière and Sébastien Pourcel who all agree to race the Nations this year. I was travelling a few weeks ago to Thunder Valley where I met Christophe Pourcel, and after our meeting he will be riding a 450 if he is in the final selection. With the new rule concerning the age limit in the MX2 class, our rider in this category will be Marvin Musquin, Steven Frossard or Gautier Paulin. The final selection will be revealed in Loket" explained Olivier who discovered the track of Thunder Valley during the US National series. "I think that this track will suit better than Budds Creek – home of the 2007 Nations – to the European riders. The ground is a little bit sandy and it’s a ‘traditional track’ which is a little bit narrow in some places, but they will improve it. The location is really nice as the track is near a mountain and the main problem will come from the fact that we are at an altitude of 1600 meters. The engines will probably lose some power, and we’ll be in the area on Thursday 23rd of September to do our first testing sessions; the fact that the event is organized in the US is more difficult for us on a logistical point of view, but we’ll have the support of "Le Top Racing" which is a French structure based in California. Our goal is to do at least as good as last year" ended the French trainer. On the podium during six of the last seven editions of the event, and runner-up behind the American team in 200è, 2008 and 2009, the French team looks stronger than ever.

The selected riders (by alphabetical order)

Xavier Boog (450 Kawasaki KRT): 22 years old, currently sixth and best rookie in the MX1 World Championship. Winner of one MX3 GP, have never raced the MX of Nations.

Anthony Boissière (450 TM Factory): 24 years old, currently thirteenth in the MX1 World Championship (first season in this class). Winner of three heats in the MX2 World Championship, member of the 2008 French Team (second place in Donnington Park, Great Britain)

Steven Frossard (250 Kawasaki CLS Pro Circuit): 22 years old, currently runner up in the MX2 World Championship. Winner of one MX2 GP, member of the 2009 French Team (second place in Franciacorta, Italy)

Marvin Musquin (250 KTM Red Bull Factory): 20 years old, 2009 MX2 World Champion and actual leader of the MX2 World Championship. Winner of thirteen MX2 GPs, member of the 2009 French Team (second place in Franciacorta, Italy)

Gautier Paulin (250 Yamaha Monster Rinaldi): 20 years old, third of the 2009 MX2 World Championship and currently thirteenth of this series (injured earlier this season). Winner of two MX2 GPs, member of the 2009 French Team (second place in Franciacorta, Italy)

Christophe Pourcel (250 Kawasaki Pro Circuit) : 21 years old, MX2 World Champion in 2006, US Supercross Champion on the East Coast in 2009 et 2010, actual leader of the Lites MX2 US Motocross Championship. Winner of four MX2 GPs, member of the 2006 French Team (fifth in Matterley Basin, Great Britain)

Sébastien Pourcel (450 Kawasaki KRT): 25 years old, actually injured and sixteenth of the MX1 World Championship. Winner of four MX1 GPs and winner of one heat during the 2008 Motocross of Nations; member of the French Team in 2004 (third in Lierop, Netherlands), 2006 (fifth in Matterley Basin, Great Britain), 2007 (second in Budds Creek, USA) and 2008 (second in Donnington Park, Great Britain)