Bikesportnz

Here are some of the highlights from the 2018 Motocross of Nations at Red Bud, in Michigan, last year’s 72nd running of the “Olympic Games of Motocross”.

Team France made it five MXoN trophy wins in a row last year, despite all the pre-race team selection controversy and despite the fact that they weren’t racing on familiar European turf.

The Dutch trio probably should have won the event, but, when an eye injury forced their MX2 rider Calvin Vlaandren to withdraw, it left them in a tight spot.

Even so, thanks to Dutch MXGP class rider Jeffery Herlings finishing 1-2 in his two races and Dutch Open class rider Glenn Coldenhoff finishing 1-1 in his two races, The Netherlands were still centre of attention at the event.

Team Italy had finished in the runner-up spot at last year’s MXoN, but they were then disqualified – three months later, in January this year – after illegal fuel was discovered in the bike of one of their riders (Michele Cervellin).

This dropped Italy from second overall to 30th and last in the classification.

The Dutch were therefore promoted to second overall and you can bet that the Netherlands will be a potent force, especially with this year’s MXoN being hosted on their home turf at Assen.

Team New Zealand last year – Cody Cooper, Hamish Harwood and Rhys Carter – finished 17th (after the rankings adjustment following Italy’s disqualification).

Photo courtesy MXGP

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MXoN RESULTS FROM 2018:

MXoN Race 1 top ten:

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 36:14.743;
2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:25.416;
3. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:31.483;
4. Eli Tomac (USA, Kawasaki), +0:40.195;
5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:51.878;
6. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:57.900;
7. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Yamaha), +1:00.029;
8. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Honda), +1:03.066;
9. Colton Facciotti (CAN, Honda), +1:51.758;
10. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Yamaha), +1:54.397.

 

Plus:

11. Cody Cooper (NZ, Honda).
12. Hamish Harwood (NZ, KTM).

 

Nations top ten after race 1:

France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, USA, Australia, Canada, Estonia, The Netherlands, Austria.

MXoN Race 2 top ten:

1. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 34:28.308;
2. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Honda), +0:16.063;
3. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), +0:20.510;
4. Ben Watson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:21.458;
5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:23.272;
6. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:28.847;
7. Harri Kullas (EST, Husqvarna), +0:32.905;
8. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Yamaha), +0:37.022;
9. Justin Barcia (USA, Yamaha), +0:59.661.

Plus:

29. Hamish Harwood (NZ, KTM).
30. Rhys Carter (NZ, Yamaha).

 

Nations top ten after race 2:

Australia, Belgium, Italy, Spain, USA, France, Estonia, Great Britain, Canada, Austria.

MXoN Race 3 top ten:

1. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 35:53.888;
2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:03.970;
3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +1:03.687;
4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +1:05.191;
5. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +1:11.582;
6. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +1:12.469;
7. Eli Tomac (USA, Kawasaki), +1:12.820;
8. Maximilian Nagl (GER, TM), +1:27.271;
9. Ken Roczen (GER, Honda), +1:44.294;
10. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:50.621.

 

Plus:

32. Cody Cooper (NZ, Honda).
33. Rhys Carter (NZ, Yamaha).

 

Nations Final Results (adjusted after Italy’s disqualification):

1 France 35 points

2 The Netherlands 41 points

3 Australia 48 points

4 Great Britain 48 points

5 USA 49 points

6 Belgium 53 points

7 Spain 63 points

8 Estonia 71 points

9 Germany 78 points

10 Canada 99 points

11 Sweden 106 points

12 Austria 108 points

13 Ireland 127 points

14 Venezuela 129 points

15 Czech Republic 130 points

16 Brazil 137 points

17 New Zealand 144 points

18 Puerto Rico 175 points

19 Switzerland 95 points

20 Portugal (best of non qualifiers)