Full throttle Friday in Kegums

KEGUMS (Latvia), 26 September 2014 - The excitement has really started to mount here in Kegums, Latvia for the 68^th edition of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. While the climate is feeling very winter-like, cool and damp, there is still a warm ambience as the teams set up and prepare for what is the most exciting and paramount event of the year.

While the teams sorted their pit areas out and got the bikes off to technical control, the riders were out feasting their eyes on the battlefield known to the locals as ‘Zelta Zirgs’ before the first ‘Media Opportunities’ of the weekend took place.

Just after lunch, the official Monster Energy athletes such as Gautier Paulin, Tommy Searle, Dean Wilson, Arnaud Tonus, and a few others attended the Monster Energy media opportunity, which took place in the Monster Energy rig. It was a unique opportunity for the press to get last minute interviews, videos and pictures with the starts before race day cracks on and nerves creep in.

Around mid-afternoon, Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, FIM Europe President Dr. Wolfgang Srb and FIM/CMS Director Tony Skillington held the ‘welcome press conference’ where each of them expressed their excitement for this weekend. Mr. Giuseppe Luongo said, “Welcome to another fantastic edition of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, I want to welcome all the teams present, it’s very good with thirty-four nations here it just confirms the MXoN is the biggest, most interesting motocross event in the world. You can see the preparation of the entire venue and the track is fantastic and our partner here in Latvia has done a great job!” Mr. Luongo then went on to confirm the next three editions of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations will take place in Ernèe, France in 2015, Maggiora, Italy in 2016 and USA in 2017 with the location not yet confirmed.

Directly after the press conference the official team presentation for the highest ranked teams took place, teeing off with the defending champions, Team Belgium. Team USA followed as last years runners up, with the 2013 bronze medalist, Team Italy being the third team to take the stage. Other teams in attendance were Team Australia, Team France, Team Great Britain, Team Germany, Team Switzerland, Team Russia and the local heroes Team Latvia. Some of the coolest and most interesting quotes were:

 “I feel really good, I am not stressed to ride with the number one plate. I like this track, I have ridden here a lot. I have won moto’s in the past here too so I feel really comfortable. Let the games begin!” Team Belgium’s Jeremy Van Horebeek said.

 “I just have fun racing my dirtbike. I have never been over seas and I get to experience here riding with a bunch of new riders and learn and have fun so it’s gonna be awesome” American rookie Jeremy Martin told.

Team Italy’s Antonio Cairoli said, “The coincidence that I can come here and race with number eight is amazing just when I have got my eighth FIM Motocross World title. I have to say it’s not so easy to go back to the MX2 bike because the gearing and everything is completely different, but I feel comfortable and my goal is to get on the podium with Team Italy.

“We have a very strong team and the decision to pick Ferrandis over Tixier was made in June before Jordi (Tixier) was crowned world champion. But there are many fast riders in France but I think this is the right team, like I said, we have a very strong team.” Olivier Robert, the French Team Manager stated.

The other surprise MX2 rider, Team Great Britain’s Tommy Searle said, “I got back on a 250 after Mexico, I enjoy riding it and I feel like I’ve prepared well.”

All the photos of the Monster Energy FIM MXoN will be available here

TIMETABLE

Saturday: Free Practice MXGP 10:00; Free practice MX2 11:00; Free Practice Open 12:00; Qualifying Heat MXGP 14:30; Qualifying Heat MX2 15:30; Qualifying Heat Open 16:30; Youthstream MX Awards 20:00.

Sunday: Warm-up B-Final 8:40; Warm-up MXoN Group 1 9:10; Warm-up MXoN Group 2 9:40; B-Final 11:00; MXoN Race 1 (MXGP+MX2) 13:10; MXoN Race 2 (MX2+Open) 14:40; MXoN Race 3 (MXGP+Open) 16:08.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

Monster Energy FIM MXoN