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Preview: Assen MXoN I

A first look at MXoN contenders.

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The 2019 Motocross of Nations is upon us. In just a couple of days one hundred and two riders from thirty-four different countries will tackle the power-sapping sand of Assen. It is the biggest race of the season and one that could produce an unexpected outcome. Who will come out on top at the seventy-third edition of the MXoN? The top-five nations from the previous year are profiled in this MX Vice preview. 

Team France

It is actually difficult to assess how strong Team France are in the lead-up to the 2019 Motocross of Nations. Losing Tom Vialle was a blow – one that has been discussed to death at this point – but not as disappointing as the moment that Romain Febvre hit the ground and suffered a broken femur. It was at that moment in late August that Team France became underdogs. Febvre was clearly their strongest candidate and would have been a rock that the team could have relied on, just as he has been every time that he has represented his nation.

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Ray Archer

Gautier Paulin is now the rock on his team and that is a position that he has occupied – and thrived in – on more than one occasion in the past. There is no hiding from the fact that he has hit a slump recently though. Paulin has actually finished in the top three in a premier-class moto just once in the last five months. These are compelling stats and indicate that those bearing French flags should be alarmed, but he comes alive at the Motocross of Nations each year and makes a statement. The relatively weak MXGP division will ensure that he can safely occupy a spot inside of the top five in his class. Will that be enough? 

Maxime Renaux is not as much of a downgrade from Tom Vialle as one may think. Renaux was sixth at the Belgian fixture and just two positions behind his predecessor, so is more than capable of representing well. The fact that he is not as strong a starter could be costly – especially when the Sunday programme is thrust into life – but then there is not another standout MX2 rider. Renaux will likely be good, just not great. Jordi Tixier is the replacement rider for the aforementioned Febvre and should be solid. The fact that he finished twelfth at Lommel is encouraging. 

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Ray Archer

Team Holland

There is not much to say about Team Holland. There is absolutely no way that a sane person could possibly deny that they are the heavy favourites to win the Chamberlain Trophy for the first time ever. It has actually been a difficult term for the Dutch trio of Jeffrey Herlings, Calvin Vlaanderen and Glenn Coldenhoff. All of those riders have encountered injuries and the tedious recovery process that comes with that at one point or another. It just so happens that everything has come together at exactly the right time. It was touch and go for a while there!

Jeffrey Herlings may not be at his very best when the Motocross of Nations starts but he will be close. Even he has mentioned that he will be at a point where there will be no excuses so there is no reason to speculate that he will not be his normal self in the power-sapping sand. The fact that he has acquired two Grand Prix wins this month should be enough to reassure fans. Calvin Vlaanderen has been named as their MX2 rider now and is a superb choice – he is as solid as a rock and will do all that is necessary to help The Netherlands win. There is no reason to question his mindset or ability to handle the pressure. 

Glenn Coldenhoff will complete the three-man team and is riding a wave of momentum at the moment. Is he better than he was when he swept both motos at RedBud a year ago? That is certainly a possibility, and a daunting prospect for other nations aiming to pry the Chamberlain Trophy away from Team France. There is no doubt that he is the favourite to win the Open category, that second MX2/Open moto and then follow Herlings across the line in the final moto. If he can achieve all of that then all Vlaanderen will need to do is finish around the top ten in one moto. It all sounds quite easy when laid out like that, eh?

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Team Great Britain

A team consisting of Max Anstie, Ben Watson and Shaun Simpson would have been very strong. It was not to be for Team Great Britain though and multiple injuries turned the line-up upside down. Watson was the first to drop out – he sustained a broken radius in practice at the Grand Prix of Italy just two days after that initial announcement – and then a pneumothorax eventually ruled Anstie out at the start of September. It did not end there though. Tommy Searle was then scheduled to race but suffered a shoulder contusion at the Grand Prix of Turkey and had to bow out.

Nathan Watson (MXGP), Adam Sterry (MX2) and Simpson will fill Team Great Britain this week. Considering how many injuries have beset British riders in the last month and a half, it is rather impressive that a squad as strong as that has been pulled together. Sterry is capable of a top-three finish in MX2 and could even go beyond that in the right circumstances – there is not a clear favourite in the class now that Jorge Prado has moved on. Simpson is obviously capable of so much in the sand but has been held back by set-up issues in recent weeks. It sounds like he is making some form of progress now though and at least going in the right direction.

How about Watson? Christophe Charlier is going to be mentioned a lot over the weekend – he was the last enduro star to moonlight at the Motocross of Nations and did so with some success. It is worth noting that Watson is further removed from the professional motocross scene than Charlier was when he helped Team France take victory in 2017. Watson is a superb sand rider on the other hand and never stopped training in the soft stuff. It is not like he is going to be a fish out of water. It is also worth considering that he finished fourth overall at the Keiheuvel international in Belgium a month ago. 

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Team Australia

Australia as a nation are in a stronger spot than they have been recently. Jed Beaton, Hunter Lawrence and Mitch Evans are representing the nation on the international stage and will be a part of many MXoN squads in the future. The issue is that all three of those riders are currently injured and thus Motorcycling Australia have had to draft in reserves. Dean Ferris (MXGP), Kyle Webster (MX2) and Regan Duffy (Open) will race in Australian colours at the Assen TT Circuit later this week. 

The original team – that was never announced – was going to be Ferris, Lawrence and Evans. Webster was then drafted in to replace Lawrence after he tore his ACL in practice towards the end of August. Evans has been struggling with headaches and general fatigue since he returned to racing at Imola, so decided to opt out of the event just a couple of weeks ago. Duffy – a seventeen-year-old who won the MXD series over in Australia this year – was then pulled in at the last minute and bumped up to the 450. There is really no way to predict how he is going to perform. 

Webster finished second in the MX2 class in the Australian MX Nationals so is at least familiar with the bike that he is going to pilot, but he too has limited experience on the international stage. What does this mean? Ferris is going to have to carry the team – he has had a turbulent time of it this season though and struggled the last time that he was at the Motocross of Nations in 2017. A twenty-second and twenty-third were his results on that day and that was a track that suited him more than the ruthless sand will. Talk about a team of unknown commodities! 

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Team United States

Although one could make a case that Team USA could be fielding better guys – like Lucas Oil Pro Motocross champions Eli Tomac and Adam Cianciarulo – there is no denying that the effort that is going into the event is commendable. The additional preparation will aid them in the final classification as will the crazy number of injuries that have struck teams like France, Great Britain, Australia and Belgium. Those injuries have not given Team USA an advantage but have levelled the playing field somewhat. Jason Anderson may not beat Gautier Paulin in the individual results – the United States could be stronger as a unit though.

Anderson will fill the premier-class berth and should be capable of putting it into top six in that class. Justin Cooper – the MX2 rider for Team USA – should be able to achieve something similar in his category. Zach Osborne is going to be a threat for a top-three spot in the Open division and should shine in the MX2/Open race. The point here is that there may not be any individual moments that really jump off of the page across the weekend. Consistency will be their greatest strength though and could lead to a surprise when the results are tallied up.

What would be considered a good finish for Team USA? A win would shock fans across the world but is not out of the question at all at this point. The American trio would need help to clinch the Chamberlain Trophy for the first time since 2011 – stranger things have happened over the years though. A podium finish should not be considered shocking. All signs indicate that The Netherlands will be on another level but there is not much to separate the remaining teams. It all depends on how the cookie crumbles on race day. Just do not count Team USA out at this point.

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.

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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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