Preview: 2017 Motocross of Nations

Can the Aussies make the podium at this weekend’s Motocross Of Nations at Matterly Basin, UK?

Image result for MXoN 2011 Australia

Over the years we’ve seen standout rides from the likes of Jeff Leisk, Craig Dack, Glenn Bell, Michael Byrne, Craig Anderson and Andrew McFarlane to name a few, but cracking that podium result at MXoN always alluded the Aussie team until 2011 when Chad Reed, Brett Metcalfe, and Matt Moss finished third outright behind USA and France.

The Motocross Of Nations is a team event that is considered the ‘Olympics of Motocross’, the best of the best from 40-odd countries battling for supremacy. For 2017, oddsmakers are saying the Australian team of Dean Ferris, Kirk Gibbs, and Hunter Lawrence are a sneaky chance at a podium result.

Ferris totally dominated the 2017 Australian MX Nationals riding the CDR Yamaha YZF450F and looks to be in the best form of his career going into the MXoN this weekend. The guy has incredible raw speed, and riding the MXGP class if he gets a start he’ll run with the best of them.

As will factory Suzuki MX2 class rider Hunter Lawrence, who is coming into the MXoN hot after winning the final MX2 race of the world motocross championship series in France aboard the RM-Z250.

Australia’s Open class rider, Kirk Gibbs, riding the KTM450SX-F, goes into this weekend with the least experience out of the trio on the world stage, but has the speed and composure under pressure to produce the result needed to give the Australian team its best shot at another overall podium result.

All the Aussies need is a little luck to roll their way – good starts, no first-turn crashes – and they’re in with a great chance this weekend. Especially when you look at some of the favourites like last years winner’s France drafting in ace Enduro rider Christophe Charlier last minute to replace the injured Benoit Paturel. Charlier is fast, but is he fast enough?

The Americans are bringing their B-Team of Zach Osbourne, Cole Seely, and Thomas Covington, all incredibly quick riders, but can they get it done?

The Netherlands has the bullet Jeffery Herlings, who will likely post 1-1 results, so the pressure is on his teammates Glenn Coldenhoff and Brian Bogers to step up.
Same deal with the Italians who have 2017 MXGP world champion Antonio Cairoli, a proven race winner at MXON, but once again the pressure is on his teammates Michelle Cervellin and Alessandro Lupino to rise to the occasion.

On paper the British team of Dean Wilson, Tommy Searle and Max Anstie look to be one of the strongest teams, especially with their home-ground advantage, but with an event like MXON, anything can happen on the day and it will come down to whichever country produces consistent top results from all three members of the team.

To watch all the action live, and to cheer on our Aussie team, you can purchase a one-off event pass that covers three days of action at www.mxgp-tv.com