MXGP

Building on an already successful relationship, Yamaha Motor Europe is excited to announce a comprehensive new agreement has been reached with Monster Energy that will see the hugely popular energy drink increase their commitment to all Factory and Official Yamaha Racing MXGP, MX2, EMX250 and EMX125 teams through to 2021.

Having already collaborated with the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team, Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 and ASTES4-TESAR Yamaha Official EMX250 teams for the past three years, Monster Energy has strengthened its support to include the Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP and MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 teams from 2019 onwards. The new agreement will see the American energy drink brand extend the Title Sponsorship from the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team to include the newly named Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP and Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Teams.

In a major announcement ahead of the final round of the MXGP World Championship taking place at the popular Imola road-racing circuit in Italy this weekend, September 30th, Monster Energy celebrated the three-year agreement with Yamaha Motor Europe by unveiling the base livery that the Monster Energy supported Yamaha Factory and Official teams will use in 2019. Images of the new look can be viewed and downloaded here: https://www.yamaha-racing.com/mxgp/gallery

Paolo Pavesio, Yamaha Motor Europe Marketing Division Manager: We are very proud to announce the further reinforcement of the partnership with Monster Energy, which is now covering all of the Teams that we are directly supporting in the MXGP paddock. I see this as a proof of appreciation towards Yamaha Motor Europe's MX racing strategy, and also for the precious partners, which are the Teams that we are racing with. Under the umbrella of the new MotoGP agreement and the reinforcement of the relationship in MXGP, it has become clear that Monster Energy is a great strategic partner that allows us to provide our loyal fans with adrenaline and emotion filled weekends, and hopefully victories!"

Mitch Covington, Vice President Sports Marketing Monster Energy: It's been a good while since we first linked up with Yamaha in MXGP; ten years ago actually when we won the 2008 title together and we also added another one since then with Romain, so it's cool to be able to show off the 2019 colours today and announce that our journey in this series will continue on together. We feel that Yamaha 'get' the brand, and know how Monster Energy wants to go racing. We have a good connection in MotoGP and now MXGP again for the future and we're looking forward to more success."

31 countries will be represented at this year’s highly anticipated Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at RedBud. Each team is composed of 3 riders and all have a massive a mount of talent.

Team Spain heads to RedBud this year with the first Spanish Motocross World Champion in history, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado. The new MX2 World Champion is one of the 3 youngest riders to win a World Championship title at 17 along with Germany’s Ken Roczen and the Netherlands’ Jeffrey Herlings, all 3 present in RedBud. Prado burst onto the MX2 scene in 2016 with wildcard entries and completed his first full season in 2017 where he took 7th overall including 3 overall victories.

Leading the team in MXGP is the 27-year old Spanish motocross veteran Jose Antonio Butron. Butron has competed on the team for the past 8 consecutive years with this year being his 9th. The 6 time Spanish Elite MX1 Champion has 7 other national championships to his name in various categories. Now participating in MXGP the Spaniard had his most successful season in MX2 during 2013 where took 3rd overall in the championship with 8 podium finishes.

Joining Prado and Butron is another veteran at 33 years old, Carlos Campano. Campano will wear the Spanish colors for his 8 time after last representing the country during the 2011 Motocross of Nations at St. Jean de Angely, France. The 4-time Brazilian Champion is also the 2010 FIM MX3 World Champion and a 3 time Spanish motocross champion.

The experienced of Butron and Campano combined with the youth and speed of Jorge Prado make the Spanish team one of the most interesting to watch this year at RedBud!

Imola (ITALY) 28 September 2018 – 70 years after hosting its first motocross race, Italy’s Imola circuit will host the return of the Motocross World Championship this weekend. The well know motorsports circuit has brought in over 25,000 cubic meters of soil and built a fantastic MXGP circuit. A full weekend of action will take place at the 20th and final round of the 2018 season.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings is the new MXGP World Champion but will have to fight against the home GP hero, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, for this weekend's win. The season has been full of action between the Sicilian and the Dutchman but there is still one last battle between the pair of World Champions.

Meanwhile you won't want to miss MX2 the young Spaniard from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Jorge Prado, celebrating his first ever MX2 World Championship!

2018 Season Finale, the MXGP of the Italy will receive global television coverage from MXGP’s traditional broadcast partners with Italy’s RAI onsite with live commentators along with new partner MOVISTAR Spain to cover the best moments of Jorge Prado in Imola and broadcast the 26 min behind the gate special feature for both this weekend and the entire 2019 season.

The complete event including MXGP and MX2 Qualifying heats on Saturday, the races of WMX, EMX, and the YZ125 bLU cRU Superfinale plus the MXGP and MX2 Championship races Sunday will be streamed LIVE worldwide from Imola on www.MXGP-TV.com

As usual you can watch the 26min Behind the Gate in Europe on motorsport.tv & MotorTrend two days after the event. It can also be viewed in the USA/Canada on BeIn and MAV TV, Finland on MTV 3, Croatia on Kreator TV, South America on FOX Sports, Asia on FOX Sports, China on Fox Sports and SINA, and the Africa on Africa XP.

Check the guides below to find out how you can watch the 2018 MXGP of Italy:

USA - CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 30 September – MX2 Race 2 – 12:00 pm ET (09:00 am PT) - Delayed

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 2 – 01:00 pm ET (10.00 am PT) - Delayed

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 30 September – MX2 Race 1 – 18:15 – CET- Delayed

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 1 – 18:45 – CET – Delayed

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 2 – 19:15 – CET - Delayed

Sunday 30 September – MX2 Race 2 – 19:45 – CET - Delayed

BELGIUM

PLAY SPORTS 1

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET – Live

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00– CET - Live

CANVAS

Sunday 30 September - Highlights

FRANCE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 30 September – MX2 Race 1 – 18:15 – CET- Delayed

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 1 – 18:45 – CET – Delayed

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 2 – 19:15 – CET - Delayed

Sunday 30 September – MX2 Race 2 – 19:45 – CET - Delayed

LA CHAINE L’EQUIPE

Monday 01 October – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET – Delayed

Monday 01 October – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 – CET - Delayed

ITALY

RAI SPORTS

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 1 – 15:30 – CET – Delayed

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 2 – 21:05 – CET - Delayed

NETHERLAND

NOS

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET – Live Streaming

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00– CET – Live Streaming

PORTUGAL

Sport TV 5

Sunday 30 September – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 –  GMT+1- Live

Sunday 16 September – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 – GMT+1 – Live

Sunday 16 September – MX2 Race 2 – 18:00 – GMT+1 - Live

Sunday 16 September – MXGP Race 2 – 19:00– GMT+1 – Live

RUSSIA and CIS (AzrbaÏdjan – Armenia – Bielorussia – Kazakstan – Kirghsitan- Moldavia – Ouzbekistan – Tadjikistan – Turkmenistan)

Motorsporttv

Sunday 30 September – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET – Live

Sunday 30 September – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00– CET - Live

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 30 September – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 – CET- Live

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 – CET – Live

Sunday 30 September – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 – CET - Live

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00– CET - Live

ASIA

FOX SPORTS SEA (Hong Kong – Macau – Thailand – Singapore – Indonesia)

Monday 01 October – MX2 Race 1 – 11:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 01 October – MXGP Race 1 – 12:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 01 October – MX2 Race 2 – 13:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 01 October – MXGP Race 2 – 14:00– HKT- Delayed

FOX SPORTS Hong Kong

Monday 30 September – MX2 Race 1 – 22:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 30 September – MXGP Race 1 – 23:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 30 September – MX2 Race 2 – 01:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 30 September – MXGP Race 2 – 02:00– HKT- Delayed

FOX SPORTS 3 SEA(Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore,  Thailand, Malaysia

Monday 01 October – MX2 Race 1 – 11:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 01 October – MXGP Race 1 – 12:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 01 October – MX2 Race 2 – 13:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 01 October – MXGP Race 2 – 14:00– HKT- Delayed

CHINA

STAR Sports China

Monday 01 October – MX2 Race 1 – 11:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 01 October – MXGP Race 1 – 12:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 01 October – MX2 Race 2 – 13:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 01 October – MXGP Race 2 – 14:00– HKT- Delayed

BRAZIL

BANDSPORTS

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 1 – 09:00 – Brazil timing - Delayed

Sunday 30 September – MXGP Race 2 – 15:00 – Brazil timing – Delayed

All the photos from the MXGP of Italy will be available HERE!

TIMETABLE in Local Time/CET (GMT+2)

Saturday: 08h50 YZ125 BluCru Free Practice, 09h30 WMX Free/Time Practice, 10h15 EMX300 Free/Time Practice, 11h00 YZ125 bLUcRU Time Practice, 11h30 MX2 Free Practice, 12h00 MXGP Free Practice, 13h25 WMX Race 1, 14h00 MX2 Time Practice, 14h40 MXGP Time Practice, 15h35 YZ125 bLUcRU Race 1, 16h25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17h10 MXGP Qualifying Race, 17h55 EMX300 Race 1

Sunday: 08h50 YZ125 bLUcRU Race 2, 09h45 EMX300 Race 2, 10h25 MX2 Warm-Up, 10h45 MXGP Warm-Up, 11h30 WMX Race 2, 13h15 MX2 Race 1, 14h15 MXGP Race 1, 16h10 MX2 Race 2, 17h10 MXGP Race 2

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Italy

MONACO (Principality of Monaco) 27 September 2018 – Youthstream and Milestone are proud to announce MXGP Motocross Rush, a new physic-based mobile game that transforms you into an official MXGP motocross championship rider.

MXGP Motocross Rush is a freemium game for iOS and Android platforms with a funny bobblehead graphic, where both balancing your rider weight and throttle control are crucial for success. 

Here’s a snapshot of the game’s main features:

● Official riders and motorcycles of the MXGP championship, play against your heroes from MXGP and MX2 classes and beat their times;

● Enhance the statistics of your bike and suits: besides being beautiful, you will also be the fastest;

● Engaging career mode: collect your goals to become the MXGP Motocross Rush Champion;

● Trick Mode: not only speed, grip and acceleration, remember that in some challenges you will be assessed for your acrobatic skills, learn how to handle your giant head weight and become the champion of tricks!

● Each victory has a prize: more than 200 items to make your bike and your rider to look unique, many other collectables on the way;

● Multiplayer Challenges: Beat players from all over the world to increase your "Newbie" fame until you reach the "Epic" level.

MXGP Motocross Rush in available for free on the App Store and Google Play.

Follow MXGP Pro:

Website: http://mxgpvideogame.com/news/mxgp-motocross-mobile-game/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MXGPVideogame/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestone_team/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/MilestoneItaly

Watch the trailer on the official YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/D440zswn8g0

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP Pro

Reigning MX2 World Champion Pauls Jonass has had to withdraw from the MXGP of Italy at Imola this weekend, the twentieth and last round of 2018 MXGP, to undergo surgery on his right knee.

The 21-year old Latvian was advised to have a reparative procedure on his right ACL after his crash at the Grand Prix of Turkey earlier this month. Jonass decided to race with painkillers at the Grand Prix of the Netherlands two weeks ago to revive his chances of defending the MX2 crown on the KTM 250SX-F. 

Despite his efforts to take the MX2 title fight to the last of the twenty rounds and forty races this year, Pauls was regrettably forced to have the operation. He travelled to the renowned Ortema facility in Stuttgart and was under the supervision of Dr Jorg Richter as the partially torn ACL was fixed without the need for a full reconstruction on Wednesday.

He is expected to leave the clinic in Germany by the end of the week. He will begin the process of rehabilitation and look towards a debut term in MXGP in 2019.

Pauls Jonass: “After Turkey I had some tough times. The doctors actually told me not to race any more this year but I didn't want to give up on the title so easily. I raced in Assen with a lot of pain and so went to see the doctor again afterwards and they said surgery was necessary. We came to Germany and had the operation yesterday here at Ortema and I’m very grateful for the work done by Dr Richter. The ACL was not completely torn but it was badly damaged. It is a pity to miss Imola but health comes first and I’m still young and want to think about the future. The focus now goes on my rehab and to think about getting back on the bike as soon as possible to prepare for MXGP.”

Dirk Gruebel, Team Manager: “This is obviously disappointing news for Pauls and the guys but the writing was on the wall when we learned the extent of his knee problem in the days after Turkey. Credit to him for pushing through a difficult grand prix at Assen and for wanting to fight for that number one plate until the end. The season had some big highs and some tricky moments for him but his determination stayed the same throughout. I’d like to thank the great work done by the Ortema Clinic: their support and professionalism really shone through. We hope and expect Pauls’ recovery to go well, and we’d also like to congratulate Jorge for an outstanding year. The MX2 title is staying in the KTM family for a good reason.”

Pauls’ absence from Imola this weekend means that teammate Jorge Prado is confirmed as the 2018 MX2 FIM World Champion in just his second term in the Red Bull KTM Factory team. Following on from Jonass, the Spaniard is the eighth different rider to have earned MX2 success with KTM in fifteen years.

IMOLA (Italy) 26 September 2018 - The 2018 MXGP season has travelled to over 19 different locations in 16 countries around the world and will conclude this week with the 20th round, the MXGP of Italy. The last round of the season will take place at the new and world famous Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari in Imola this Saturday and Sunday. The venue last hosted international motocross racing decades ago in 1948 for the very first time but this weekend an all new purpose built circuit will pit the world’s best riders against one another. 25,000 cubic meters of soil has been moved in the last 11 days by more than 250 people working onsite to host an outstanding season finale!

2018 MXGP Champion Jeffrey Herlings from RedBull KTM Factory Racing will go against his teammate Antonio Cairoli for one last time this season while the Red Bull KTM riders of Jorge Prado will fight for the MX2 title. Joining MXGP and MX2 this weekend will be the Women’s Motocross World Championship, the EMX300 presented by FMF Racing Championship, and the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup SuperFinale.

In WMX racing the championship is a fight between MXFONTA Racing Yamaha’s Kiara Fontanesi and Nancy Van de Ven that could be decided in Race 1 but will likely have to wait until Sunday’s Race 2. In EMX300 presented by FMF Racing Verde Substance KTM’s Brad Anderson will be able to take the championship in Race 1 if he simply finishes the race ahead of GL12 Racing’s Mike Kras.

Drone photo credits: Isola Press

While the 2018 MXGP Championship chase concluded with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings taking the title at the penultimate round of the Netherlands 2 weeks ago the rest of the field is still fighting for positions. Herlings will likely have a more relaxed approach to this weekend but just like any other race this season he is the one every wants to beat.

Herlings’ Red Bull KTM teammate Antonio Cairoli has secured 2nd in the championship already but the Sicilian will surely try to win in front of his home crowd this weekend. With the Italian crowd behind him and a potentially more relaxed Herlings the #222 may score his 3rd overall of the year.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing’s Clement Desalle was the only rider to beat both Herlings and Cairoli this season and the Belgian currently holds 3rd in the championship. Desalle had good starting in Assen 2 weeks ago but then fell back in the standings. Desalle could lose third position in the championship this weekend to Team HRC’s Tim Gajser who is only 20 points behind. While it is unlikely the Slovenian will take the spot the possibility is still there with his ever improving speed and the likelihood of the Slovenian fans making the trip to what is one of the closest GPs.

Monster Energy Yamaha Official MXGP’s Romain Febvre is still not fully recovered from his crash at the MXGP of Turkey and will sit out the racing this weekend. Currently 5th in the championship Febvre will likely drop to 6th or possibly even 7th by the end of the weekend. Fellow Frenchman Gautier Paulin from Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing will likely be the one to take 5th from Febvre as he sits only 3 points behind. Paulin has been strong at times this season but mostly consistent. Invigorated by the signing of a new contract with Wilvo Yamaha for 2019, Paulin will be able to focus purely on his riding and performance this weekend.

The #77 of Alessandro Lupino from Gebben Van Venrooy Kawasaki Racing has had some of his best results this year and with the home crowd plus the motivation of representing his country the following weekend at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations he will certainly be one other rider to watch for.

MXGP Championship Top Ten: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 883 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 782 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 645 p.; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 625 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 544 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 541 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 511 p.; 8. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, YAM), 445 p.; 9. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 404 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 366 p.

In MX2 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado and Pauls Jonass have fought the entire season and it all has led up to this weekend where one will be crowned 2018 MX2 FIM Motocross World Champion and the other will have to settle with 2nd! Prado has the massive advantage of 46 points over Jonass and could very well take the title in Sunday’s Race 1. With the situation similar to Herlings and Cairoli last week it will be extremely intriguing to see how it all plays out.

Third in the championship currently is Rockstar Energy Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen. Earning 633 points so far this season Olsen has 1 race win and 1 overall but an impressive 9 overall podium appearances. Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 Team’s Ben Watson is sandwiched 4th in the points between Olsen and the other Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider of Thomas Covington. Watson is 48 points back of Olsen but only 20 ahead of Covington. Covington has 1 overall win this year coming from the MXGP of Turkey while Watson is the only rider in the top 5 to have not won an overall but the Brit will surely be shooting for his first this weekend.

Other riders to watch out for include Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen who sits 6th in the championship with 1 overall win plus Honda 114 Motorsports Hunter Lawrence, and Yamaha SM Action - M.C. Migliori’s Michele Cervellin in his home GP.

MX2 Championship Top Ten: 1. Jorge Prado (ESP, KTM), 823 points; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 777 p.; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HUS), 633 p.; 4. Ben Watson (GBR, YAM), 585 p.; 5. Thomas Covington (USA, HUS), 565 p.; 6. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, HON), 521 p.; 7. Jago Geerts (BEL, YAM), 366 p.; 8. Michele Cervellin (ITA, YAM), 365 p.; 9. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, HON), 331 p.; 10. Henry Jacobi (GER, HUS), 311 p.

All the photos from the MXGP of Italy will be available HERE!

TIMETABLE in Local Time/CET (GMT+2)

Saturday: 08h50 YZ125 BluCru Free Practice, 09h30 WMX Free/Time Practice, 10h15 EMX300 Free/Time Practice, 11h00 YZ125 BluCru Time Practice, 11h30 MX2 Free Practice, 12h00 MXGP Free Practice, 13h25 WMX Race 1, 14h00 MX2 Time Practice, 14h40 MXGP Time Practice, 15h35 YZ125 Blu Cru Race 1, 16h25 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17h10 MXGP Qualifying Race, 17h55 EMX300 Race 1

Sunday: 08h50 YZ125 Blu Cru Race 2, 09h45 EMX300 Race 2, 10h25 MX2 Warm-Up, 10h45 MXGP Warm-Up, 11h30 WMX Race 2, 13h15 MX2 Race 1, 14h15 MXGP Race 1, 16h10 MX2 Race 2, 17h10 MXGP Race 2

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Italy

The 2018 MXGP season ends this weekend at Imola and the Kawasaki Racing Team and Monster Energy are pleased to announce the renewal of their partnership to challenge for the title next year.

The Kawasaki Racing Team and Monster Energy joined forces five years ago in the FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship, and they have already achieved impressive results including a leading role in the French team victory at the 2014 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, seven MXGP wins and more than twenty podiums. Clement Desalle, holding third in the 2018 series entering the final round, has delivered his best results since joining the team with eight podiums and an overall GP victory in Russia this season.

Long-time partners in the US series with KHI and Pro Circuit, Kawasaki and Monster Energy have claimed many titles in the Supercross and Motocross series, and joining KRT five years ago was the logical step to build an even stronger worldwide partnership between the ‘black and green’ companies which also share the same winning spirit in World Superbike. Next season Belgian riders Clement Desalle and Julien Lieber will again be working closely with the team to develop the new KX450, and put the bike on the podium as often as possible during the twenty rounds of the highly competitive MXGP series.

Mitch Covington (Monster Energy): “Monster is proud to continue with the Kawasaki Racing Team; Thierry has been a solid partner with Monster for a long time and we appreciate his passion for the sport and excellent team to represent Monster Energy.”

Steve Guttridge (Kawasaki Motors Europe): "The news that we will be continuing the great partnership and relationship with Monster Energy and our Factory MXGP team is very much appreciated by all at Kawasaki. The hard work that the team and KHI have put into this season again on the KX450F-SR means that Clement remains the only rider in the class to have won a GP by beating both the defending and new world champions! The level of competition in MXGP is incredibly high but, with Monster Energy's support confirmed, we will continue to build the strongest possible foundations with the factory and, now utilising the all-new KX450, that will give our KRT riders the best chance to challenge for the MXGP title again in 2019."

Thierry Chizat Suzzoni (KRT): “We are of course very happy to continue our partnership with Monster Energy; we have been working together for five years now and we have shared some great moments together, especially this year as Clement Desalle got top results with eight podiums and a GP win. We have a strong relationship with Monster; they see every year our investment with partners such as KHI or Pro Circuit to get even better results in the MXGP class and I would like to thank Mitch and the Monster staff for their commitment with us.”

Many countries will be represented at this year’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at RedBud, 31 to be exact. With each team composed of 3 riders there is a massive amount of talent along with interesting facts and history.

Team Estonia is one team who did remarkably well in 2017 finishing 8th just ahead of the American team at Matterley Basin. The country is one of three Baltic states in Northern Europe and home to just over one million people and it has placed in the top 10 at the Motocross of Nations 14 times since 1993.

Leading the team in MXGP is the most well versed MXoN veteran, Tanel Leok. The now 33 year old Leok has attended the annual event for a remarkable 18 consecutive years. Leok has a long list of accomplishments such as 85cc Junior Motocross World Champion in 2000, 125cc Junior World Champion and 125cc German Champion in 2001, Dutch motocross champion in 2007, and he is a 3 time GP winner in the premier FIM Motocross World Championship class.

Joining Leok is Hardi Roosiorg in MX2 and Harri Kullas in the Open category. Roosiorg is an Estonian Champion in 85cc, the 2017 Winner of the Coupe de l'Avenir Open class, and currently holds 27th in the 2018 MX2 World Championship. Meanwhile Kullas finished 4th in the 2006 85cc Junior World and European Championships, won the 2008 Ricky Carmichael MXoN Youngest Rider award, finished 9th in the 2011 MX2 World Championship overall, and took 3rd at the 2015 MXGP of Latvia in MX2 followed by a 4th place team finish at the 2015 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.

Team Estonia may be an underdog but is one of the most experienced and certainly one of the most interesting to watch compete this year at RedBud, US, on 6^th and 7^th October!

The 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations is very much a race of Nations as there will always be the battle among the best in the World.

Everyone is excited for the fight between World MXGP champion Jeffrey Herlings and Team USA rider Eli Tomac, who is the number one in USA. Team USA manager Roger De Coster knows that the individual results count for fan interest, but he also knows that winning a class won’t be more important than winning the event as a country.

“The high point of the year was that we (America) won the Motocross des Nations,” De Coster said. “The Nations event mean a lot to me. Everyone talks about this guy is the fastest, or the 250 guys are fastest, or the 450 guys are best. But the Nations puts everyone together in the same class at the same time. Winning again for Team USA is important, and we will do our best to achieve that.”

British legend, Dave Thorpe, a man who has ridden many MXoN events, and won races as well as overall victories is most excited to see the Herlings vs Tomac battle.

“I think the Jeffrey (Herlings) vs (Eli) Tomac thing probably excites me more than anything,” Thorpe said. “It is always nice to see the best riders going head to head. I think Jeffrey, he  has a little more pace than anyone. If you look at USA, Eli has ridden really well this year. He will be stirred on by his home crowd and he will be pumped up, but Jeffrey will as well and you wouldn’t discount Tony from winning the individual overall either, because I might come back stronger and faster than before.”

Team USA rider Justin Barcia doesn’t see the individual battles as important as the team victory and winning the Chamberlain trophy is way more important than winning the Open class overall.

“At the end of the day, it is a team race,” Barcia said. “I think people just want to blow up the whole Eli and [Jeffrey] Herlings thing. People want to make it exciting. That’s fine, but at the end of the day, we are there to accomplish a goal. I don’t think anyone of us Americans are going to do something stupid to risk the overall goal. I always went to the race and rode smart, but aggressive and fast and have never really thrown it away. If I feel that I can win the race, I’m going to win the race. However, at the end of the day, we have to be smart and fast and get it done with the overall.”

So now, in a little over a week’s time, the whole motocross World will be heading to the Redbud circuit in America, and just like every single year, the interest will be on individual honours, but when it comes to Sunday night, only one thing matters, and that is the Chamberlain trophy being in your baggage on the trip back home.