THIS MXON SHOWDOWN WAS SIMPLY EPIC

Keen to see what happened at the 2006 Motocross of Nations when a soon-to-retire Stefan Everts whipped the rest of the world, including the American superstars, at his farewell appearance?

Yes, BikesportNZ.com was there to see Everts put a demon pass on American MX1 rider James Stewart, the Belgian rider standing up, on the foot-pegs, and sweeping around the outside of the American … incredible.

Later, at the post-race press conference, Stewart claimed he was satisfied to settle for that and to follow Everts because he was just “riding for the team”, but it came across as a shallow excuse from a man who didn’t have the simple courage or humility to admit that, in reality, he was well beaten by a better man that day.

Perhaps we’ll witness a similar clash of cultures – the Euros versus the Yanks, GP heroes versus AMA stars – at this year’s edition of the big race?

It is important to note too that Team New Zealand finished on the podium at that MXoN in 2006.

The United States trio – James Stewart, Ivan Tedesco and Ryan Villopoto – lived up to their star billing that day, but, on the race track, they had to bow to a 33-year-old Everts on the cusp of retirement as the Belgian legend (MX1, Yamaha YZF450) ran away with two of the three motos, the race for MX1/MX2 riders and the race for MX1/Open class riders. Italian Antonio Cairoli (MX2, Yamaha YZF250) won the other race, for MX2 and Open riders.

The New Zealand riders were also outstanding, with Josh Coppins (Honda, MX1) finishing 6-8, Ben Townley (Kawasaki, MX2) finishing 5-3 and Cody Cooper (Honda, Open class) managing 17-13 results.

The Americans were the best team overall that weekend and Belgium’s Everts was the best individual, but the Kiwis were on the podium and that made them pretty special too.