The motocross world comes together this weekend as the 78th edition of the FIM Motocross of Nations takes place at a new venue for the event, Ironman Raceway near Crawfordsville, Indiana.
For this sixth event to be held in the United States of America, the organisers have laid out a spectacular circuit which even takes in a wooded section for fans of old school, natural terrain motocross.
Thousands of fans are set to fill the grassy banks around the circuit with massive support for the home team absolutely guaranteed, as is the raucous atmosphere which is always produced by the biggest motocross race on the planet.
Reigning champions country Australia is again looking strong with the exact same team as last year, at a venue where brothers Jett and Hunter Lawrence have been successful in American races.
Team USA last won this event on home soil in 2022, and their MXGP and MX2 riders from that occasion both return for this one, in the shape of Eli Tomac and Justin Cooper. Tomac clinched his first two 450cc national titles at this venue so it is a feelgood place for him.
Strong European teams have to include Team France, featuring new MXGP World Champion Romain Febvre, Team Belgium with both brothers Lucas and Sacha Coenen eager to show their speed to American fans, and Team Netherlands with two of the top six in the MXGP World Championship, Glenn Coldenhoff and Calvin Vlaanderen lining up alongside former MX2 World Champion Kay de Wolf.
New MX2 World Champion Simon Längenfelder will team up with the legend that is Ken Roczen for Team Germany, the amazing multi-time world champion Antonio Cairoli will ride one of the first Ducati machines to be raced at the MXoN, and few could forget Tim Gajser’s heroics from last year, that he’ll be out to repeat for his native Slovenia again if he can.
© Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
Find BikesportNZ.com on FACEBOOK here