MXoN - Dominations

The Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations has seen many great names dominate this event. From John Draper as part of the British team in the 1950s until Stefan Everts and Ricky Carmichael who helped Belgium and America to success in more recent times.

Back in 1947 when the Motocross of Nations first started legends have shown the way. John Draper won with Team GB in 1950, 1953, 1956 and 1959. Former World 500cc Champion Bill Nilsson of Sweden (who recently passed away) took victories in 1955, 1958 and 1961, while Jeff Smith (another former World 500cc Champion) won it with Team GB in 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1964 and 1967.

The great Roger De Coster was also somebody who enjoyed success in the MXoN, winning in 1969, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1977 and 1979. Helping De Coster out in this period was Jaak Van Velthoven, who scored wins with De Coster in 1972, 1973, 1976 and 1977.  Andre Malherbe won with Belgium on three occasions, those in 1977, 1979 and 1980.

Of course the 1980’s were dominated by Team USA and a major part of that period was David Bailey who won in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986. Jeff Ward was another American rider proved even more successful, winning in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990. With his seven victories Ward is the most successful rider in the event’s history.

Ricky Johnson also won with Team USA; his wins came in 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1988.  Johnny O’Mara was also a four time winning in this period, scoring victories in 1981, 1982, 1984 and 1986. Jeff Stanton was also part of the domination by Team USA, scoring wins in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

When the American domination ended in 1994, it was Team Belgium that began to show the most strength, with Stefan Everts, Marnicq Bervoets and Joel Smets all getting their share of success. Everts won in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2003 and 2004. Bervoets won in 1995, 1997 and 1998. Smets in 1995, 1997 and 2003.

Ricky Carmichael helped Team USA rise back to the top and was also been able to stand on top of the MXoN podium, with victories in 2000, 2005 and 2007. In recent years American rider Ryan Villopoto has wins in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Another American Ryan Dungey has wins in 2009, 2010 and 2011.