After years of suffering bad luck at the Motocross of Nations, everything finally fell into place for Italy’s Antonio Cairoli at the sandy Lommel circuit in Belgium this time around.

And, for once, not everything fell into the laps of the Americans.

Remember 2006 at Matterley Basin when Cairoli won the MX2 class but his country had to settle for fourth overall (behind the third-ranked Kiwis) as the Americans, without a race win to their credit, still took the trophy?

Remember 2007 at Budd’s Creek when Cairoli’s bike failed him?

Remember 2009 in Italy when the Americans snatched glory from the jaws of defeat? With one race to go, it was France leading, with 25 points, and Italy was on 37. Team USA was third, with 39 points. But then it all unraveled for the European nations.

Cairoli went cart-wheeling through turn one and DNFed right there. Italy was out. Just a couple of corners later and Team France lost Gautier Paulin in another big spill. A surprised Team USA won it again, France settled for runner-up spot and host country Italy slumped to sixth overall.

Remember 2011 in France and Cairoli’s big cart-wheel over a hill-top berm? He broke his hand … it was another DNF and another sad ending to the MXoN for Team Italia, ending up 16th overall.

You win some and you lose some and Lady Luck always has the last laugh.

We guess this humorous image above tells the story of Lommel, where Cairoli looked impressive as he won both his races and the Americans couldn’t cope with the sand, also suffering a little bit of bad luck by two of their riders – Justin Barcia and Ryan Dungey – separately running off the course and into trackside hoardings.

MXON 2012 from Nick Janssen on Vimeo.