We can now share the provisional entry list for the 2025 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, scheduled for Ironman Raceway in Indiana, in the United States, from October 3 to 5.
A total of 38 nations is set to compete, delivering some of the sport’s most accomplished athletes on a truly global stage.
Team USA will take full advantage of the home turf advantage with a powerhouse lineup. Colorado’s Eli Tomac, making his sixth MXoN appearance, brings his wealth of experience.
He will be joined by Chase Sexton, the reigning AMA Pro Motocross Champion, and the highly anticipated debutant Haiden Deegan who is highly regarded as one of the most talented riders of his generation.
Team Australia, the defending champions, return with an all-star team composed of unstoppable brothers Jett and Hunter Lawrence, alongside Kyle Webster, looking to repeat their 2024 success.
Europe’s representation is both robust and competitive: Team France has already named their team with current MXGP red plate Romain Febvre, Maxime Renaux and Mathis Valin.
Team Belgium will be another serious contender with brothers Lucas and Sacha Coenen and Liam Everts. Team Netherlands is poised to field a strong squad with Glenn Coldenhoff, Kay de Wolf and Calvin Vlaanderen.
Team Spain with Rubén Fernández, Guillem Farrés and Francisco García filling out the team while Team Germany has finalised a formidable lineup with Ken Roczen, Simon Längenfelder and Maximilian Spies, blending star power with rising talent.
Team Italy will lean into its rich motocross heritage with the legendary Tony Cairoli expected to lead the charge along with Andrea Bonacorsi and Andrea Adamo while five-time World Champion Tim Gajser will be leading Team Slovenia.
Meanwhile, the photo above shows the ballot at the Motocross of Nations in The Netherlands in 2019 … sadly, New Zealand will not be able to feature this year, with no team being sent across to contest the 2025 edition on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
But, we can still ponder who might New Zealand have picked to represent them at the MXoN this year?
Perhaps the Kiwis could have selected from Hamish Harwood, Maximus Purvis, Josiah Natzke, Nathan Crawford, Cody Cooper, Brodie Connolly, Cole Davies, Madoc Dixon, Cobie Bourke or James Scott.
From rookie first-timers in 1984 to top-10 regulars just over 10 years later, Kiwi motocross riders have boxed well above their weight and often rated among some of the best in the world.
Team New Zealand has finished among the top 10 an incredible 14 times in 30 appearances at the event since they first attended in 1984 – not bad for a country with an entire population less than many cities in some of the nations of their MXoN rivals.
New Zealand has been on the MXoN podium on three memorable occasions over the years – at Foxhills, in England, in 1998 (with Darryll King, Shayne King and Josh Coppins waving the silver fern flag), at Namur, in Belgium, in 2001 (Daryl Hurley, Josh Coppins, Shayne King) and at Matterley Basin, in England, in 2006 (Josh Coppins, Cody Cooper, Ben Townley).
The Kiwis have also finished among the top-five on three other occasions – fifth in Austria in 1993, fourth in Belgium in 2003 and fourth in France in 2005.
However, the Kiwi fans will just have to wonder what might have been this year.
Even without a Kiwi presence at this year’s edition of the MXoN, the event is still shaping up to be truly exceptional with stellar lineups, deep cross-continental participation, and the added drama of defending champions and legendary names all converging at Ironman Raceway.
MXoN nations classifications from 2024 – Top 10 teams:
1. Australia 26pts, 2. USA 29 pts, 3. The Netherlands 36pts, 4. Spain 45pts, 5. France 50pts, 6. Germany 62pts, 7. Slovenia 67pts, 8. Italy 70pts, 9. Switzerland 86pts, 10. Latvia 103pts.
© Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
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