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Preview: MXoN Assen II

Part two of the Motocross of Nations preview.

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The seventy-third Motocross of Nations continues to edge closer. Following on from a comprehensive look at the top-five teams from a year ago, here is a run through some of the underdogs and those who are not in a position to consider clinching the victory but could upset the applecart in the right circumstances. The injury-riddled field will play into the hands of some of these teams.

Team Switzerland

If Team Switzerland could just get all of their ducks in a row then they would be tough to beat a lot of the time. Imagine if Valentin Guillod from 2015 could be put alongside Jeremy Seewer and Arnaud Tonus this year – that would be a phenomenal line-up! Instead injuries hurt the outfit each year and the riders have swings in form at different times. If those paths could cross just once, then another contender would be added to the Motocross of Nations. Instead Tonus is out with a fractured hand and Guillod is a big question mark in the sand.

Jeremy Seewer is a stronger sand rider than most realise and should be treated as such. There is no reason why he cannot gun for individual success but, as a threesome, the Swiss will struggle to break into the top five. Cyril Scheiwiller was second in the Swiss MX Open series but is inexperienced at the highest level and in the sand. There is almost no doubt that Team Switzerland will have to drop one of his results, which then means that there is pressure on Guillod to deliver two solid finishes. Honda 114 Motorsports are giving him a CRF250R so at least there is no reason to question his equipment.

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Ray Archer

Team Belgium

Injuries have struck Team Belgium this year and as a result Clement Desalle – the strongest Belgian rider of this era – will not be on the squad at the Assen TT Circuit this weekend. Although that is a blow, it is by no means a disaster. Jeremy Van Horebeek, Jago Geerts and Kevin Strijbos are all on form at the moment and will represent well. The greatest question mark is whether or not Strijbos is fit after the crash in China but he does not seem too concerned at all. The first-lap incident just left him battered and bruised, and missing the second moto was a precaution.

Strijbos could be considered the weak link but he performed well at the Grand Prix of Belgium and actually strung together six top-twelve finishes in a row before that minor shoulder injury. Van Horebeek has been just as solid and also performed well at the Grand Prix of Belgium last month – there are no question marks there. Geerts is the rider with the most upside and could actually win his class so Team Belgium will actually need to keep both of his scores. Not every MX2 guy is in that position although the crazy number of injuries have put additional emphasis on that class.

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Ray Archer

Team Spain

When Team Spain is mentioned, it is impossible to not immediately think of Jorge Prado and how much of a factor he will be aboard a 450. There is going to be a lot of hype around the Spanish outfit for that reason. Prado only got onto the bigger bike recently and has done a week or two of testing. There is no way that a pundit can claim he is at one hundred percent and that this will be a true indication of how he will perform next year, but he is also a phenomenal talent. It is safe to assume that there are going to be some blistering lap times and amazing starts that get everyone talking.

Prado is in a similar spot to champions like Tim Gajser or Pauls Jonass in the sense that he is going to always be held back by his countrymen, especially when it comes to a Motocross of Nations in the sand. It is rather clear when looking at the results that Iker Larranaga has posted that the soft stuff is not exactly his forte. Carlos Campano has been away from the world stage for a while now as well so is not exactly familiar with such rugged conditions. The former MX3 champion is not as old as some believe at thirty-four years of age though.

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Ray Archer

Team Sweden

Placing Team Sweden into this group of nations may seem like a curious decision but there is a method to the madness: Three sand specialists make up the Scandinavian squad. Filip Bengtsson is a name that is not going to resonate with a lot of fans but think back to the 2014 Motocross of Nations in Latvia – he surprised pundits and was sixth in a race. Bengtsson is still hitting the same heights as he toppled Kevin Strijbos and Vsevolod Brylyakov to claim the Swedish MX1 crown this year. The only issue is that he broke his collarbone in July but then he has raced since then and obviously still managed to clinch that title.

Alvin Ostlund is a Grand Prix regular and really thrives in the sand. The fact that he escaped from a mediocre run of results to enter the top ten at the Grand Prix of Belgium illustrates that point perfectly. Anton Gole – the third rider on Team Sweden – is just as strong in the sand and a consistent points scorer in the premier-class in the FIM Motocross World Championship. If all of those guys simply perform consistently, then they could end up upsetting some of the established countries who have higher aspirations. Finishing in the top seven or eight certainly seems achievable.

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Ray Archer

Team Italy

There was a time where the future of Italian motocross seemed bleak. Antonio Cairoli even referenced that on multiple occasions, yet now the nation can piece together a competitive MXoN line-up without the nine-time world champion. Alessandro Lupino, Alberto Forato and Ivo Monticelli will make up that team later in the week. It is not like any of those guys are going to put in an outstanding individual performance but their consistent finishes could result in an impressive final ranking on Sunday evening. There is no weak link that just jumps off the page – the same cannot be said for some of the other teams.

It is a shame that the seventy-third edition of the MXoN is not being run on a hard-pack track, because this team of underdogs could really deliver something special and avenge the cruel ruling that pulled the Italian team off of the podium a year ago. The fact that they actually ended second overall at RedBud appears to have been swept under the rug. They were that good! Expecting a performance similar to that would be a tall order without Cairoli but that is their ceiling. Is it too early to start building some Italian hype ahead of Ernee in 2020? Mattia Guadagnini is on the rise as well.

Words: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Ray Archer

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Monster Energy MXoN

Joel Roelants appointed new Team Manager for Belgium

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I (Joel Roelants) am delighted to announce my appointment as the new Team Manager for Belgium. It is a tremendous honour to lead this team and collaborate with a highly talented generation of riders. My commitment is to elevate Team Belgium’s performance and strive for podium success in the years ahead.


Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Bavo Swijgers


While I acknowledge my relative youth in this position, I am driven and motivated to guide this collective effort to new heights. I extend my sincere gratitude to the dedicated individuals behind the scenes who volunteer their time to support our team, as well as our valued sponsors for their unwavering commitment.

I express my appreciation to the Belgian supporters and acknowledge the tireless efforts of the teams working diligently to ensure our riders represent our country with utmost pride. Together, let us embark on this journey towards excellence.

Best regards,
Joel Roelants

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Monster Energy MXoN

The MX Vice Show Episode #155 with Zach Osborne

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In the latest MX Vice Show, Zach Osborne talks to Ed Stratmann and Brad Wheeler about his brilliant career in Europe and America, some of his awesome stories from his time in the GP paddock, his inspirational journey to the top, his future plans, training Jack Chambers, Steve Dixon, launching his new training service, the upcoming 2024 AMA Supercross season and more.

The MX Vice Show is as always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Parts Europe, Scott, Acerbis, Fly Racing, AS3 Performance, ARMA nutrition, Holeshot Motorhomes and Even Strokes for their support of The MX Vice Show. If you would like to become a part of the show, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Find out more about Holeshot Motorhomes including the Commander motorhome for motorsports HERE!

Lead Image: AMA Supercross

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Australian Motocross

The MX Vice Show Episode #152 with Lee Hogan

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In the latest MX Vice Show, former Aussie motocross star Lee Hogan talks to MX Vice Editor Ed Stratmann about his commentary and media work, his role as Factory Honda Junior Team Manager, the state of play in Aussie moto and supercross, training young riders, his excellent career, MXoN memories, how thankful he is for all those who support him and much more.

The MX Vice Show is as always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Parts Europe, Scott, Acerbis, Fly Racing, AS3 Performance, ARMA nutrition, Holeshot Motorhomes and Even Strokes for their support of The MX Vice Show. If you would like to become a part of the show, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Find out more about Holeshot Motorhomes including the Commander motorhome for motorsports HERE!

Lead Image: Lee Hogan

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