The action at last year’s Motocross of Nations at Donington Park was intense and we expect more of the same in Italy this weekend.

Here’s a little film clip from the racing in the British Midlands, where Team USA charged off with it’s fourth consecutive MXoN win.

It nearly didn’t happen, of course, with USA captain James Stewart crashing and stalling his bike in the MX1-open race.

It most likely would have been Stewart to claim the MX1 class but a shock mistake while he was leading his second (MX1-open) outing saw him crash with five laps to go. He was unable to re-start his bike for what seemed like an age (as every photographer in the place made a bee-line to get the shot of Stewart exasperatingly kicking and kicking the big green machine).

In the end, Sebastien Pourcel (France) won that telling race and a dejected Stewart rumbled home in 23rd spot (it becoming the unexpected discard result for the Americans). Until that point the Americans were comfortably running away with the event and looking at dropping Ryan Villopoto’s tenth placing from his first (MX1-MX2) outing.

GP hero Pourcel snatched the overall honours for the MX1 class.

To cut a long story short, the United States again took the top honours, for a record 19th time no less, although of course it was a little closer in the end to what the boisterous American fans would have liked.

Just five points separated Team USA from runners-up Team France when the final tally was made late on that typically overcast English autumn day in September.

The Kiwi trio were consistent but couldn’t produce the podium finishes needed in the three races to head off the likes of the US, France, Belgium, Britain, Italy and Team Australia. Spain finished seventh, just five points ahead of the eighth-ranked Kiwis.

Words and photos by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com