By Chase Stallo and Jason Weigandt
The Olympics of Motocross. The annual Motocross of Nations, pitting thirty-four nations against each other in a team race, features more than 100 riders fighting more for the country listed on the front of their jersey than their own names on the back. With so many riders all running different numbers, gear colors and even bike displacements than usual, there is always some confusion. We’re here to help. To make sure you’re sure (of what’s happening) here’s a spotter’s guide. Keep this page open all weekend long and you’ll sound like an expert!
Belgium | 2013: First
Jeremy Van Horebeek #1 (MX1): Second in MX1 GPs | 7-7 at 2013 MXoN
Julien Lieber #2 (MX2): Eleventh in MX2 GPs | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Kevin Strijbos #3 (Open): Third in MX1 GPs | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Notes: Injuries have taken a huge toll on the defending champs. Two riders from last year’s team—Clement Desalle and Ken De Dycker—are out, and Jeremy Van Horebeek’s impressive MX1 GP season (he ended up second in points) tailed off due to a late season ankle injury. Still, Belgium just knows how to put things together for this event, and they’re usually contenders no matter what. Latvia will mark the first MXoN appearance for Strijbos since 2011, and he will be asked to carry a heavy load in replacing Desalle and De Dycker. The Red Knights’ chances may hinge on Lieber, who will be making his first MXoN appearance. The good news for Belgium is Lieber looked much better toward the end of the GP season after switching to KTM from Suzuki.
United States | 2013: Second
Ryan Dungey #4 (MX1): Second in U.S. 450 MX | 6-7 at 2013 MXoN
Jeremy Martin #5 (MX2): First in U.S. 450 MX | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Eli Tomac #6 (Open): Fifth in U.S. 450 MX | 2-16 at 2013 MXoN
Notes: Revenge has to be on the mind of Team USA after losing two straight. They had won the event from 2005-2011, but the last two years have been disappointing. Perhaps you’ve heard about that? This is Jeremy Martin’s first year on the team and first time ever racing outside the U.S. Ryan Dungey brings experience (six MXoNs in a row), but the last two years have only been mediocre for him. Eli Tomac was very fast last year on a 250 and wants to avenge a big crash that badly damaged the team’s chances. Due to injuries on other teams, and Team USA usually being solid, these guys are probably coming in as the favorites.
Italy | 2013: Third
Davide Guarneri #7 (MX1): Ninth in MX1 GPs | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Antonio Cairoli #8 (MX2): First in MX1 GPs | 1-1 at 2013 MXoN
David Philippaerts #9 (Open): Tenth in MX1 GPs | 10-14 at 2013 MXoN
Notes: The big story is Cairoli on a 250. It’s a brilliant move because the ‘Nations counts all bikes the same in the overall, so if Cairoli can win a moto or two on a 250, it would be a HUGE boost for this team in points. They’ll need it, and he can do it. After struggling mightily in Colorado (20-25), France (36-39), and Belgium (25-37), Alessandro Lupino finally delivered for the Italians last year in Germany (8-13) but has been replaced by MXGP veteran Davide Guarneri. Cairoli dropping down left a vacant spot in MX1, which is the primary reason Guarneri is back. Former MX1 World Champion David Philippaerts is anchoring the squad. Philippaerts is solid but not as quick as he was in his prime. Overall, the team could do damage if Cairoli crushes MX2 and the others stay consistent.
Australia | 2013: Fourth
Chad Reed #10 (MX1): Eleventh in U.S. 450 MX | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Luke Clout #11 (MX2): First in Australia MX2 | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Matt Moss #12 (Open): First in Australia MX1 | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Notes: The ideal combination for the Aussies (Reed, Metcalfe, and Moss or Ferris) never got a chance to get off the ground. Ferris broke his femur at the MXGP of Brazil, and Metcalfe was a late withdrawal. Although Reed didn’t have the greatest season outdoors, he’s a gamer and usually shows up ready to ride (Reed has won a few ‘Nations motos outright before). Moss (Australian MX1 Champion) and Luke Clout (Australian MX2 Champion) both have speed to match the Europeans and the U.S. If things break right, this team could be a podium threat.
France | 2013: Fifth
Gautier Paulin #13 (MX1): Eighth in MX1 GPs | 5-6 at 2013 MXoN
Dylan Ferrandis #14 (MX2): Fourth in MX2 GPs | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Steven Frossard #15 (Open): Fifth in MX1 GPs | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Notes: As if not picking Marvin Musquin or Christophe Pourcel wasn’t controversial enough, 2014 MX2 world champion Jordi Tixier didn’t make the team, either! Further, Ferrandis hurt his ankle at the final GP in Mexico. With all of that said, however, this squad can still contend. Paulin is as fast as anyone in MX1, and Frossard is no slouch. If Ferrandis can soldier through, this team has a shot at showing the naysayers that they knew what they were doing all along. But, man, that’s a lot of talent on the sidelines…
Great Britain | 2013: Sixth
Shaun Simpson #16 (MX1): Seventh in MX1 GPs | 12-18 at 2013 MXoN
Tommy Searle #17 (MX2): Twelfth in MX1 GPs | 3-5 at 2013 MXoN
Dean Wilson #18 (Open): Tenth in U.S. 250 MX | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Notes: Just a week ago, Scotland voted on possible secession from Great Britain, and although it was close, the Scots chose to stay with the UK. We’d assume keeping Dean Wilson on the ‘Nations team tipped it (we’re kidding, kids). This is a very solid team. Simpson knows what he’s doing. Searle always does well at the ‘Nations and, like Cairoli, represents a chance to make up huge points with a good overall on the 250. We know Wilson is fast, although there isn’t much 450 MX data on him. If this team has good luck, they will be very capable. We might have to start looking into voter fraud in the polls last week.
Germany | 2013: Seventh
Max Nagl #19 (MX1): Sixth in MX1 GPs | 4-11 at 2013 MXoN
Henry Jacobi #20 (MX2): DNC in 2013 MXoN
Dennis Ullrich #21 (Open): Twenty-first in MX1 GPs | 39-40 at 2013 MXoN
Notes: Ugh, scorched earth here. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Just two years ago Germany was celebrating its first ever Motocross of Nations win. Last year, in front of home fans they were close—Roczen went 1-2 in the motos on his 250—but came up short of a podium. Now, Germany is hurting. Like, really hurting. As if not having Roczen (visa issues) wasn’t enough, last weekend the team lost Marcus Schiffer (three broken vertebrae, a broken collarbone, and a broken bone in his hand) at an ADAC MX Masters event. Nagl will be good, but without Roczen and Schiffer, top-five is a tall order.
Russia | 2013: Eighth
MX1 – Yet to be announced
Alexandre Tonkov #23 (MX2): Eighth in MX2 GPs | 10-14 at 2013 MXoN
Evgeny Mikhaylov #24 (Open): Twenty-fourth in U.S. 450 MX | 15-36 at 2013 MXoN
Notes: The Russian Bear was ready to insight Cold Ward fears in everyone until Bobryshev got hurt. Russia has yet to name a replacement. Even without Bobryshev, Russia is set up pretty nicely with Mikhaylov and Tonkov. It’s disappointing, though, because as Bobryshev said: "Latvia is a great place with lots of Russian fans."
Switzerland | 2013: Ninth
Valentin Guillod #25 (MX1): Seventh in MX2 GPs | 9-14 at 2013 MXoN
Jeremy Seewer #26 (MX2): Tenth in MX2 GPs | 17-24 at 2013 MXoN
Arnaud Tonus #27 (Open): Sixth in MX2 GPs | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Notes: A sleeper. The Swiss have risen in European motocross the last few years, and this ‘Nations could be a showcase. One could argue, if a healthy Tonus was available last year (replacing Killian Auberson), Switzerland could have challenged for a podium. Tonus, so brilliant in the early GPs and now armed with a Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki deal in the U.S. for 2015, is back from injury. Seewer and Guillod are up and comers, and Guillod was very good at last year’s event. The one problem is that with so much young talent, you’re looking at a bunch of 250 riders having to race 450s or 350s. But, Switzerland’s coming out party could still come this weekend.
Estonia | 2013: Tenth
Gert Krestinov #28 (MX1): 18-21 at 2013 MXoN
Harri Kullas #29 (MX2): Eighteenth in MX2 GPs | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Tanel Leok #30 (Open): Eighteenth in MX1 GPs | 6-17 at 2013 MXoN
Notes: What if we were to tell you the small Northern European country has three straight top ten appearances? No, seriously, they do! Tanel Leok is a one-man wrecking crew at the event, having carried the team to a surprising seventh overall in 2012. The team is without Erki Kahro, who raced Lucas Oil Pro Motocross this year. Gert Krestinov is an MXoN veteran, but he didn’t have much success in Germany last year. Once again, if Estonia is going to capture a top ten, the onus is on Leok. He usually delivers.
Netherlands | 2013: Eleventh
Ceriel Klein Kromhof #31 (MX1): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Glenn Coldenhoff #32 (MX2): Thirteenth in MX2 GPs | 16-19 at 2013 MXoN
Marc De Reuver #33 (Open): Twenty-eighth in MX1 GPs | 9-22 at 2013 MXoN
Notes: Sorry, no Herlings again. The likable Marc De Reuver always pulls yeoman duty for his nation, and Coldenhoff is much better than that MX2 ranking indicates (he missed a lot of races with injury this year). Without Herlings, though, top ten would probably be the goal.
Spain | 2013: Thirteenth
Jose Butron #37 (MX1): Ninth in MX2 GPs | 17-20 at 2013 MXoN
Jorge Zaragoza #38 (MX2): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Valentin Ander #39 (Open): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Notes: Butron, then what? Spain is void of another star to really help Butron. A top fifteen performance would be ideal in Latvia.
Denmark | 2013: Fourteenth
Nikolaj Larsen #40 (MX1): 19-21 at 2013 MXoN
Thomas Kjer Olsen #41 (MX2): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Stefan Kjer Olsen #42 (Open): 27-36 at 2013 MXoN
Notes: Two Olsens? Looks like we have ourselves a Full House (get it?).
Czech Republic | 2013: Fifteenth
Frantisek Smola #43 (MX1): 21-26 at 2013 MXoN
Vaciav Kovac #44 (MX2): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Martin Michek #45 (Open): Forty-eighth in MX1 GPs | 22-29 at 2013 MXoN
Notes: If they won, we’d get to run the awesome headline: “Czech Mate.”
Latvia | 2013: Sixteenth
Mattis Karro #46 (MX1): Thirteenth in MX1 GPs | 13-35 at 2013 MXoN
Pauls Jonass #47 (MX2): Twenty-forth in MX2 GPs | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Roberts Justs #48 (Open): Twenty-third in MX2 GPs | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Notes: The home team does have some star power in Mattis Karrro, who just won the MX2 Maxxis British Championship. With Karro and a rabid home track advantage, Latvia may make some noise.
Portugal | 2013: Seventeenth
Rui Goncalves #49 (MX1): Eleventh in MX1 GPs | 16-30 at 2013 MXoN
Paulo Alberto #50 (MX2): 22-31 at 2013 MXoN
Hugo Basaula #51 (Open): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Notes: Goncalves, then what? See Spain above. No second rider to help Goncalves.
Other:
New Zealand | 2013: Twentieth
Hamish Dobbyn #58 (MX1): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Hamish Harwood #59 (MX2): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Scott Columb #60 (Open): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Notes: Oh, the days of Townley and the Lizard Coppins are long gone.
Puerto Rico | 2013: Second (B Final)
Ben LaMay #61 (MX1): Twelfth in U.S. 450 MX | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Alex Martin #62 (MX2): Twelfth in U.S. 250 MX | Ninth in B Final at 2013 MXoN
Ulises Velasco #63 (Open): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Notes: Yup, the Alaskan Assassin is teamed with the elder Martin from Minnesota on Team Puerto Rico. Makes sense, right? Fate is determined by the Open rider, who takes the traditional “actual guy from Puerto Rico” spot.
Ireland | 2013: Third (B Final)
Gordon Crockard #64 (MX1): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Martin Barr #65 (MX2): Seventh in B Final at 2013 MXoN
Stuart Edmonds #66 (Open): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Notes: Okay, things got crazy here in the last few hours with the Irish. According to MX Vice, scheduled MX1 rider Graeme Irwin will not make the trip after “Irish federation would not give him a pass for his fiancé.” This is a big blow for the Irish chances. Gordon Crockard will replace Irwin. Yup, the Crockstar!
Canada | 2013: Fourth (B Final)
Colton Facciotti #67 (MX1): First in MX1 Canadian Nationals | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Kaven Benoit #68 (MX2): First in MX2 Canadian Nationals | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Tyler Medaglia #69 (Open): Third in MX1 Canadian Nationals | Eighth in B Final at 2013 MXoN
Notes: On paper, these three are fast and talented, and certainly positioned better than previous years, when Canada wouldn’t always send their best. Hopefully they’ll at least be better than last year’s choke job in the B Final. Still, it’s a long way from home, and we’re not sure if we’ll see all this team has to offer against GP and Europe-seasoned riders. But having both Canadian champions on-board this year should help our neighbors to the north.
Sweden | 2013: Eleventh (B Final)
Filip Bengtsson #88 (MX1): Fifteenth in B Final at 2013 MXoN
Ken Bengtsson #89 (MX2): DNC at 2013 MXoN
Fredrik Noren #90 (Open): Tenth in U.S. 450 MX | DNC at 2013 MXoN
Notes: Even with Noren, this team is on the outside of making Final. And speaking of Swedish teams, whatever happened to the Swedish Bikini Team?
Click here for the full 2014 Motocross of Nations entry list.
