by Chase Stallo
Insight: MX of Nations Preview, Part II
Tuesday, September 25, 2012 | 2:05 PM
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Last week, we looked at the teams expected to contend for an Motocross of Nations Championship this Sunday in Belgium. This week, we look at teams in a different tier. Most of these squads pack one or even two solid riders, but lack the across-the-board talent to compete for the team win. Some, in fact, are just hoping to make the finals this year, even though each of these nations has experienced some glory lately either in the GPs or at this race itself. Here's that pack. (Click HERE to read Part I of the MXoN preview)
How big of a factor will Evgeny Bobryshev's injured thumb play?
Ray Archer photo
Australia: Lawson Bopping (MX1), Luke Styke (MX2), Todd Waters (MX3)
What a difference a year makes. Last year the Australians trotted out a veteran line-up, packed with star power. Experience played a key role for Australia last year as Chad Reed (who won a moto overall) Brett Metcalfe and Matt Moss ended Australia’s long-standing struggles at the MXoN to capture the first podium in team history. A year later, injuries have shattered the Australians hopes for a repeat. All three members from last year’s historic run are currently rehabbing injuries, which have forced the Aussies to go with a very young and inexperienced team. Lawson Bopping, Luke Styke and Todd Waters will all be making their MXoN debut in Lommel—not exactly the veteran leadership Australia housed in 2011. While all three had great success in the Australian MX series in 2012, none have proven themselves on a stage as grand as the MXoN.
Cairoli hopes to lead Italy to a deep run at Lommel.
Ray Archer photo
Italy: Antonio Cairoli (MX1), Alessandro Lupino (MX2), Davide Guarneri (MX3)
While Italy harbours one of the best riders in the world in Antonio Cairoli, they’re not packing much of an arsenal behind him. Cairoli, who’s struggled at the MXoN in years past, will have to be the catalyst for the Italians, as the absence of 2008 MX1 World Champion David Philippaerts will loom large. Davide Guarneri dazzled in France a year ago, with fifth and eighth place finishes, the only bright spot for a team that imploded after Cairoli’s injury. Lupino only finished 11th in this year's MX2 rankings, so they need him to put in the ride of his life. If Guarneri can bring a repeat performance with him to Lommel, and Cairoli can shake the demons of MXoN’s past, the Italians could make a deep run at Lommel.
New Zealand: Josh Coppins (MX1), Kayne Lamont (MX2), Cody Cooper (MX3)
In what will likely be the swan song for the legendary Josh Coppins, who announced his retirement from racing earlier this year, the Kiwis bring a much deeper squad to Belgium than the team of Kieran Scheele, John Phillips and Joel Doeksen that failed to make the finals in France a year ago. An experienced Cody Cooper, whom many will remember from his strong performances in the U.S. a few years ago, will join Coppins. In his last year of racing, Coppins captured the MX1 title in Australia this season with Cooper finishing third. The Kiwis will look to rely on the veteran leadership of Coppins and Cooper to help groom the young Kayne Lamont, the Australian MX Under 19 Champion, who is making his MXoN debut.
In what could be his last MXoN, Josh Coppins hopes to lead New Zealand to a top finish.
Sarah Gutierrez photo
Russia: Evgeny Bobryshev (MX1), Alexander Tonkov (MX2), Evgeny Mikhaylov (MX3)
Russia’s “Next Great Hope” Evgeny Bobryshev has battled injuries throughout 2012 but began to hit his stride late in the GP season. A thumb injury has hindered Bobryshev the past few weeks, which could be the demise of the Reds if he is less than 100 percent. Bobryshev’s GP counterpart, Alexander Tonkov returns to lead the MX2 charge again. Tonkov finished 17th in the MX2 Class this season, despite missing four rounds. Joining holdovers Bobryshev and Tonkov will be Evgeny Mikhaylov. Mikhaylov has had minor success in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship the past two seasons, and should be an upgrade over Sergy Astaykin who struggled mightily a year ago in France.
How big of a factor will Evgeny Bobryshev's injured thumb play?
Ray Archer photo
Puerto Rico: Gino Aponte (MX1), Zach Osborne (MX2), Jimmy Albertson (MX3)
Team USA…err…Puerto Rico looks to bounce back from a disappointing finish last year when they failed to make the finals. Zach Osborne, who concluded his GP career with a second place finish in the MX2 class at the Grand Prix of Germany on Sunday, is back after missing last year with injury. Jimmy Albertson also returns to the team after a disappointing year in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships. Joining the American duo will be Puerto Rico’s own Gino Aponte. Aponte will be the key for Team PR to make the finals, as Osborne and Albertson should carry their share of the load.
Others to Watch For:
Spain: Jonathan Barragan (MX1), Jose Butron (MX2), Alvaro Lozano (MX3)
Portugal: Rui Goncalves (MX1), Paulo Alberto (MX2), Luis Correia (MX3)
Estonia: Gert Krestinov (MX1), Priit Ratsep (MX2), Tanel Leok (MX3)
Switzerland: Arnaud Tonus (MX1), Jeremy Seewer (MX2), Valentin Guillod (MX3)
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I heard Jeff Emig mention on the Pulpmx show last night that he would be doing a US broadcast of the motocross of nations on CBS. Anyone have any details or schedule for it. Thanks. Roger Vista,Ca
That would be great if the played it on CBS.
Love to know if it will be televised...Our team should take it barring any disasters...no other team has the depth we have...other teams may have one rider capable of winning a moto, like Italy and Cairoli...but their 2nd and 3rd team members would be hard pressed to finish better than 10th at an AMA national...still the race for the moto wins should be exciting...
You spelled Coppins name wrong. lol
Bueler, bueler - Does anyone know how to watch the MXofNations.
@Zook250F65 - you can watch it on mx-life.tv.
@twostrokefan he was wondering how to watch it on tv so we dont have to be up before 4 in the morning
Team Kerplachia!!!!!!
@RalfsRubenis
You look like a worst lookin drunk midet than me !
Looking towards the Czechoslovakian motocross team to make a come back! lol
"Looking towards the Czechoslovakian motocross team to make a come back!"
That would be pretty tough. They'd have to re-unify Czech Republic and Slovakia, which is about as likely as unifying US and Mexico.
I wonder which (present) country CZs were made in.
I hope Cairoli don't sink his teeth in any USA wins.
AMERICA VS EUROPE GO USA "RYDER CUP "
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZA4SM2IWoo
hey cairolli injured pinkie this weekend and was bleeding bad so may not be 100%
Beware the Lithuanian team lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guSTfJrXjb0
HOP SUIIIIISSSSSEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come on Arnaud, show them all who has the best riding style in the world!!!
Never made it up to Grevenbroich yesterday where team USA were practicing, like I promised, but my buddy was there. I got a phone call from him late last night and this is what he had to say.
Baggett and the Dung looked lost in the deep rough sand (they don´t push the sand track in summer as it´s usually only used in winter) while Barcia was haulin ass, well, until Kenny R pitched up on his 250 and proceeded to show him how to ride the deep stuff (he lived in Lommel for 2 years). Evidently Ken went out about 10 seconds behind him and after 6 laps had a 5 second advantage. Yes, he pulled about 15 seconds in 6 laps, and Bam Bam was on the 450!!!!!!!
He said that the main problem seemed to be their legs were getting tired from trying to stand all the time. Yip, when it´s rough you have to do it all on the pegs, like I said in the first MXON thread.
Unless they can get a bit of condition into their legs before the weekend, I´m afraid it´s going to be a case of, YANKIE,GO HOME. Bwaaahahahahahaha.
Here´s a promise. If any of the yanks win a moto, I´ll leave and never return. OK?
Go Portugal!!!!!
I'm not quite sure what this post means, but here it is:
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/News/12-09-25/The_MXoN_will_be_broadcasted_in_High_Definition.aspx
Hey euromike, is that the same Roczen that ran out of gas every moto in the US and got waxed in the last 5 minutres? Well personally I am not worried about Kenny because after the first moto he will probably catch the flu. When the Nations is finished I am sure you will catch something and disappear again which will delight everyone.
You don´t like me, do you Claxton my old buddy? I can´t imagine why. Please say it ain´t so, pleeeez. LOL.
Kenny is home now pal, He´s rested and fit and he´s in familiar suroundings. I´ve always said it´s a massive shock for a young guy to travel halfway around the world to a country where everything is unfamiliar and different. It wears you down and it needs a period of adjustment. Next year you will see a very different Roczen, trust me. You won´t see any more fading because he will be far more relaxed regarding his scedule and feel more at home in himself. Don´t under-estimate the effects of these things when a young guy is racing at this level. It can mean the difference between winning and losing. Also, he will know the tracks next season, which will be a massive plus. He´s definitely the favorite next year in my book.
http://www.crossmagazin.de/news/weltmeisterschaft/news-20120925182357.htm
Here is a link to a report on yesterdays happenings in Grevenbroich. If anyone needs a translation, let me know.
Live it up Spindoctor EuroMike. Before the race, the euros strut their stuff, and walk around like a banty rooster. The euros always own the pre-race, but for some reason, they don't seem to figure prominently in the post race chatter... Ifs and almosts, and could-have-beens become the chosen spin words. Doesn't matter what any of us say though, we are just the flabby slobs watching the race - the real war happens when professionals take it outside and see who is the best on that day! Viva la sportif!
Euromike, Tell Kenny to keep drinking those 'holidays'. Sie sind wunderbar for the endurance and stamina.
Every year it's the same chatter- This year, the Yanks can't win here... ok, this year... ok, THIS year... ok, THIS YEAR... THIS YEAR FOR SURE. I love it. I absolutely love this race.
K-Roc may be rested and on his home turf, which is fine. He may even win his class, which is also fine. But this is a TEAM event, and team U.S.A. has the depth to take the overall. Euromikey, sorry but you will not be missed here (although we all know you just use another name the rest of the year).
I think the heat & humidity is the #1 reason euros have acclimation issues in the U.S...............on the track.
Claxton wrote: "I hope Cairoli don't sink his teeth in any USA wins."
Classy Comment, Dude!!!
Gotta run the actual race to see who wins! Run your mouth off then if you want!
@euromikefromcleveland...you're always makin promises we WISH you'd keep.....ever hear of not showin your hand , pard........were just slow and tire quickly...and you just keep believing that pilgrim...and really isn't it ABOUT TIME you made it a race instead of us just beatin you like a redheaded step-child(and using a redhead to do it)......that must get old ...now do your pantomime of a train yard bum/clown walking away with a tear in his eye.....practice it up good for your farewell performance next week.....@claxton....hilarious.lolol....
Off topic I know, but what about Road Racing. Are the Grand Prix's not the Official World Championship? Is the AMA National Series the the "real" Championship?
Sure would like to see a Road Racing of Nations. Where would the USA finish in that? I tell you where, nowhere!!! It would be dominated by Europeans!!!!
@Nemfromfrance, hey, give the Lithuanian's a break. I guess you don't know that LT is a tiny country of about 3,5 million. Under Soviet Russian communist rule for many years (just look beyond he track and you can see the ugly soviet buildings). and today most people are very poor. These guys are paying their own way and trying to qualify for this race because they just love motocross so much. What's wrong with that? I tip my helmet to them!
Team Canada's gonna kill it this year,
no wait, themselves.
theped26 wrote:
"Off topic I know, but what about Road Racing. Are the Grand Prix's not the Official World Championship? Is the AMA National Series the the "real" Championship?
Sure would like to see a Road Racing of Nations. Where would the USA finish in that? I tell you where, nowhere!!! It would be dominated by Europeans!!!!
They wouldn´t even be able to raise a team, let alone a winning one LOL.
sooooooo funny....
Roczen will not win next year in the usa and also not in lommel because bagget will. Roczen who always have something with his bike or has a flu. Marvin was riding better then roczen in europe and will also do next year in the USA and he s a normal guy not a movie star like roczen is. The rumor that s going around is that roczen payt herlings to give him the worldchampion ship so that he would go to the USA as the world champion. And he wants to beat herlings in lommel at the nations but why isn t he ride the 450 or 350 ktm because he now has an excuse that he was riding the 250 that s why