Looking at who and how the teams are lining up for the upcoming Motocross of Nations, it seems all the smart money will again be on Team USA to win.

While many will debate the merits or otherwise of leaving James Stewart out of the American team, the truth is that he signed up to a supercross-only contract at the start of the year and has been sidelined for most of it, only returning for the first time last weekend and not exactly setting the world on fire on that occasion.

That left Team USA with an easy choice — 450cc (MX1) national championship leader Ryan Dungey, No.2 man Andrew Short and outstanding 250cc (MX2) rider Trey Canard.

Nothing has been yet be resolved in the issue surrounding Team Italy and it seems the event, this year set for Colorado on September 25-26, will not be blessed with an appearance from world MX1 champion Tony Cairoli or former MX1 world champion David Philippaerts – leaving the Italians looking like a B team, no matter who they eventually decide to send.

Many would feel that Cairoli is the only man really capable of challenging Dungey for MX1 honours.

Dungey won the MX1 category at last year’s Motocross of Nations in Italy, although Cairoli did win one of the two races (then did not finish the next because of a turn-one smash) and the Italian superstar is the two-time and defending world MX1 champion.

Philippaerts won the MX3 class at last year’s MXoN.

On paper at least, Team France and Team Belgium look the best bets to join America on the podium, although Team Germany and Team New Zealand could surprise.

If Chad Reed recovers in time from the virus that has him sidelined at present, Team Australia could also be in the picture.

The rest of them? Honestly, they’re really just cannon-fodder for the Americans.

TENTATIVE MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS TEAMS

(Teams are subject to change; final team selection date is September 24)

TEAM AUSTRALIA:

1. Chad Reed (or Jay Marmont)

2. Dean Ferris

3. Brett Metcalfe

TEAM BELGIUM:

1. Jeremy Van Horebeek

2. Steve Ramon

3. Clement Desalle

TEAM BRAZIL:

1. Jorge Antonio Balbi

2. Pipo Castro

3. Marcello Ratinho

TEAM CANADA

1. Jeremy Medaglia

2. Kyle Keast

3. Kaven Benoit

TEAM FRANCE:

1. Christophe Pourcel

2. Marvin Musquin

3. Xavier Boog

TEAM GERMANY:

1. Max Nagl

2. Ken Roczen

3. Marcus Schiffer (or ??? )

TEAM IRELAND:

1. Gordon Crockard

2. Martin Barr

3. Stuart Edmonds

TEAM NEW ZEALAND:

1. Josh Coppins

2. Ben Townley

3. Brad Groombridge

TEAM SPAIN:

1. Jonathan Barragan

2. Jose Butron

3. Carlos Campano

TEAM SWITZERLAND

1. Arnaud Tonus

2. Gregory Wicht

3. Valentin Guillod (or Alain Schafer)

TEAM USA:

1. Ryan Dungey

2. Andrew Short

3. Trey Canard

© Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com