Jeff Ward Talks About Team USA
FUNCHAL (PORTUGAL), 7 September 2010 - In three weeks time the 64th edition of the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations will take place in Denver, USA, on the September 26 weekend. Many riding legends are directly linked to such event, but there is one who stands out over the rest, Jeff Ward. Native Scottish but living most of his life in the US, Ward is the American having won the most Chamberlain Trophies courtesy of seven wins with Team USA.
His ever first FIM Motocross of Nations with Team USA was back in 1983 in Angreau, Belgium, with his teammates Bailey, Barnett and Glover. Ward was the only one of the team who continued representing USA in the following victorious two years, taking a break in 1986. Ward was back winning the MXoN in 1987 to take part in USA’s successful streak until 1990. Being present at seven wins of Team USA, Ward is currently the American to have won most Chamberlain Trophies.
"It is a great feeling knowing that I hold this record. I put a lot of pride into winning that race every time. Each rider had their own fans but at the MXoN every fan was pulling for you to win. That was the best feeling!" Ward stated.
To win the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations you need the team spirit, as Ward says: "The best memory of taking part at a MXoN was always working with the other riders to be the best we could be, and getting to race with riders from around the world that I would follow.".
Team USA has a total of twenty MXoN victories and Roger De Coster, current USA Team Manager, has a lot to do with such excellent record.
"Roger is a great manager and also a great rider. He knows what a rider needs and being in Europe he would always have everything we needed to be ready on race day. There is a lot of stuff that goes on at the MXoN and having Roger made it all run smooth," Ward commented.
This year Team USA is made of Dungey, Canard and Short, who will try to defend the Chamberlain Trophy after the last five consecutive victories. The young American team will try to get closer to record of 13 victories in a row that Team USA holds and continue making History for their country. Jeff Ward defined the 2010 USA Team as the best they could have ever had and is positive that they will achieve the Trophy once more as they are all really talented riders and they have all a great heart to defend their Nation.
"I don't see why Team USA cannot beat the current record of 13 victories in a row, it was done once. I don't think we were thinking of putting together 13 in a row. It is so hard to win this race. It only takes a couple of mistakes and it's over. In my seven wins there was more than once that we got so so lucky to pull off the win. But that's what happens when you never give up and fight with heart!!! Go USA!" concluded Ward.
While waiting for this 64th edition of the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations, the occasion marking the MXoN’s comeback to the USA after Budds Creek 2007, fans can pre-order their tickets at the race track Thunder Valley’s home page www.tvmx.net.
With 20 wins to their credit, USA is the most successful nation at this annual competition, followed by Great Britain with 16 wins and Belgium with 14.
This year 32 Nations have already entered the event as the list includes countries such as defending Champion USA, France, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan. Complete entry list is available here.
