It is the biggest motocross event on the planet and all the sport’s stars are starting to get themselves lined up for battle.

Yes, it’s Motocross of Nations time again, this year set for St Jean d’Angely, in south-western France, on September 17-18.

The defending MXoN champions, the United States, have named their three-man line-up and so too has France, Australia and Great Britain.

Team BikesportNZ.com will have a crew in France to cover the great event and that team will be announced in the coming weeks.

Australia’s two-time FIM Supercross World Champion and frontrunner in the US motocross nationals, Chad Reed, will lead the Australian Team in France.

Reed will be joined in the MX1 (450cc) class by fellow AMA motocross star Brett Metcalfe, with the South Australian native looking to improve on his amazing efforts in 2010.

Rounding out the star-studded team in the MX2 (250cc) class will be two-time Australian Motocross Pro Lites Champion Matt Moss.

Jay Marmont and Dean Ferris will be reserve riders

Elated to be returning to the Australian Team setup, Reed said the opportunity to represent his country on the biggest stage in motocross was the dream of every rider.

“As an athlete, regardless of the sport, there is no higher honour then to represent your country at the highest level,” Reed said.

“Despite my success I’ve had on three different continents there is still a very special feeling, something very unique about wearing the green and gold for Australia.”

Sporting one of the strongest rider line-ups likely to be assembled in France, Reed is confident the Aussie team can match it with best and fight for a podium finish.

“When you look at the calibre of riders that have missed out it just shows you how strong Motocross is in Australia,” Reed said.

“We’ve got Metty (Metcalfe) riding in the MX1 class which is fantastic because he’s been consistent on the AMA motocross scene for years now and has delivered big performances at the MXoN before.

“Also Mossy (Moss) has been dominating the Pro Lites in Australia for the past few years, so we’ve got great riders right across the board.

“I know it’s going to be tough but I think with the quality we have a podium finish should be our aim.”

Be sure to stay tuned to the MA Website and MA Facebook Page for all the latest news, updates and interviews in the build-up to the 2011 MXoN.

Team USA is the defending champion, holders of the Chamberlain Trophy, having won the 2010 event held in Colorado, in the United States, last season.

Team USA for 2011 will be AMA Supercross Champion Ryan Villopoto, defending AMA Motocross champion and 2010 AMA Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey and Blake Baggett. The team will again be managed by the legendary Roger De Coster.

“America’s talent pool for motocross racers is the deepest in the world,” said AMA Supercross Director Kevin Crowther. “As demonstrated by their performances in this summer’s Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships, these three riders are among the best that the United States has to offer. We’re confident they will do their country proud at this prestigious event.”

The official Team France for this 65th edition of the MXoN will be Steven Frossard, Marvin Musquin and Gautier Paulin.

Olivier Robert, team manager of the French squad, said that everybody was very motivated to do well on home soil.

Frossard, currently third in the FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship, will represent his country in the MX1 class and he is convinced that they have a big chance to be at the top of the rostrum. The MX2 class will be represented by Musquin, who is very excited to be back in the team and race against the best Motocross riders in the World.

Paulin will represent France in the Open class, as he did in Franciacorta in Italy in 2009. Paulin will be testing the 450cc bike , but he will keep on riding the MX2 class until the end of the season.

Team Great Britain will comprise Dean Wilson, Tommy Searle and Brad Anderson, with Steve Dixon acting as manager.

While Anderson hasn’t been doing too many GPs this year, his form in England has been impressive.

Anderson also showed good form when he represented Great Britain at last year’s MXoN in Colorado.

The Motocross of Nations is one of the most high-profile motorsports events in the world. It features national teams competing for a combined score to determine the overall championship winning country.

The event emerged in post-war Europe in 1947 and has run uninterrupted since that time. The United States is the all-time leader in Motocross of Nations overall victories with 21. Great Britain is second with 16.

The United States won last year and is widely tipped to win it again in France.

© by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com