The 2018 Motocross of European Nations is just like the MXoN, but for the EMX250, EMX125 and EMX85 riders of the world.
It is perhaps a sort of teaser for the upcoming Motocross of Nations, although this MXoEN event mostly features the young rising stars rather than the sport’s well-established heroes.
Some of the individuals who shone at the recent Junior Motocross World Championships in Australia are instead among the representatives in Poland this weekend, perhaps giving us more of an insight into how some of our Kiwi juniors might perform.
Anyway, the MXoEN has completed the qualifying stage of the programme in Poland, the racing taking place at the Gdansk circuit.
Team Italy was the best overall in both the MXoEN and WMXoEN’s qualifying, with Norway and the Netherlands also putting in strong performances.
Qualifying was preceded by an opening ceremony and team presentation in a square in the city of Gdansk and 19 teams were presented in total with 11 men’s teams and another eight women’s teams.
The first qualifying race of the day was a combined race with the 250 four-strokes and the 125cc two-strokes. Free Practice earlier in the day put Italy’s Gianluca Facchetti at the front of the standings with the fastest lap time. Just after the start of the combined race France’s Maxime Renaux crashed in turn two, slowing the 125 riding of Mattia Guadagnini who lost positions. Norway’s Kevin Horgmo took the race win on his 4 stroke while France’s Tom Guyon took the top spot of the 125s.
The 85cc class qualifying was led from start to finish by Norway’s Hakon Osterhagen as he took the holeshot and never looked back. Unable to be caught by anyone Osterhagen became the second Norwegian to top a qualifying race today. Italy’s Valerio Lata took second and France’s Xavier Gazal took third.
The women’s qualifying race was completely controlled by the multi-time Women’s Motocross World Champion Kiara Fontanesi from Italy. Fontanesi took holeshot and led till the end while France’s Mathilde Martinez and Denmark’s Sara Andersen fought for 3rd position. With only a few laps to go Andersen managed took the spot from Martinez and finished just behind the Netherlands’ Nancy Van de Ven.
The Motocross of European Nations is structured with three classes: 250cc, 125cc and 85cc. Each team competing is made up of four riders: one 250cc rider, one 125cc rider, and two 85cc riders. 14 nations will compete this year on the track of Gdansk each having the goal of winning the 2018 MXoEN crown or the 2018 Women’s Motocross of European Nations title.
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