The Monster Energy Motocross of Nations is off and running with Saturday's qualifying races. There will be a heat race in each of the three classes (MX1, MX2, Open), and the overall team results will determine gate picks for tomorrow's event. From today, by the way, each team will only count its two best scores, so a disaster in one race won't eliminate a team from competition.
MX1 raced first today and here are the results:
Gautier Paulin's ride was even more impressive that it seems because he had to come from behind to get it, rallying from just inside the top ten to make passes and get the lead. Sweden's Bengtsson and Russia's Tonkov had turns in the lead as well, but Paulin was able to pass them and Team USA's Ryan Dungey to get to the top spot. Both Bengtsson and Tonkov later had errors that dropped them back, but these are still strong efforts for their teams.
Belgium's Van Horebeek came through the pack as well to pass Dungey, but then Dungey closed back up in the latter laps and finished right behind him. Dungey struggled in practice earlier so this sold third-place was a big improvement.
Tough break for Chad Reed, who was off the track on the first lap and had to fight back for that 14th.
