MXoN_Excitement

While the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations is still 12 weeks away, a lot of teams and riders are starting to get excited for the event. While defending champions Team France are the big favourites, teams like Team USA, Team Great Britain and Team Australian are a good shot at a top three result.

Another interesting aspect is the chance that Team Puerto Rico look like they will have a very strong line-up, with Grand Prix based American, Thomas Covington leading the team into action.

“As far as Team America goes, I haven’t thought about it. They will probably go with Zach Osborne anyway, and he will be good at Matterley Basin as he has ridden it a lot. I will actually ride for Puerto Rico on the 450, that is what we have been talking about. It’s a little bit lame that they don’t think about a GP rider (for Team USA), but I would be stoked to ride an event like that and it’s a track I like and I am looking forward to it.”

Australian Dean Ferris, who has been in great form of late, and put two strong results together in the MXoN last year in Italy, is looking forward to try and help the Aussies get on the podium.

“I think we (Team Australia) will be strong. We have needed a good MX2 guy for a while now. I rode in 2013, but it seems it is hard for Australia to get three good riders together. Hopefully Hunter (Lawrence) and I are healthy in October and Kirk Gibbs is rock solid, he has a lot of speed here. There are a few others, Todd Waters and Brett Metcalfe, but its awesome Hunter is doing well.

As for Hunter Lawrence, the young Aussie, who finished on the podium at the Grand Prix in Germany a month or so ago, is currently injured, but will be back in time for the MXoN. He, like Ferris is excited to get the chance to race for his country.

“It would be cool going to the Nations. It is still a long way away, but if I can go there, it would be awesome and Matterley Basin looks like an awesome track. I hope I can ride there this year.”

A rider who hopes to be in the line-up for the home team is Shaun Simpson. Having ridden for his country on a handful of occasions the Yamaha rider can’t wait to put in some good performances when he is back from injury and get selected for Team Great Britain.

“I would love to ride at Matterley. I didn’t ride there in 2006 because I wasn’t good enough, and looking at my career, this might be the last chance to race at home at this event. I would be really disappointed if I wasn’t involved. If we could pull something out of the hat and grab a podium, that would be nice. That is why I want to make a push and I hope Dean, Tommy, Max and I are all riding great around that time and it’s a hard decision for Mark Chamberlain (team manager).”