MXoN

REDBUD (United States) 25 September 2022 – Team USA’s Eli Tomac, Justin Cooper and Chase Sexton ended the nation's 11-year wait with a win at the 2022 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations on home soil in RedBud, Michigan.

While yesterday’s qualifying day presented the perfect weather conditions, today was a different story, with an overnight downpour and continued rain throughout the day creating some challenging conditions which tested not only man but also machine – but did not hinder the spirits of the thousands of fans who showed their support! The atmosphere around the venue was next to none, with incredible support from start to finish by the huge crowd of fans that turned out in their most patriotic outfits and made plenty of sound throughout the day. 

It was a big victory for the hosting nation, as Tomac, Cooper and Sexton made history by putting the American flag back on the top step for the first time since Saint Jean d’Angely in 2011.

Joining the winners on the podium was Team France with Maxime Renaux, Marvin Musquin and Dylan Ferrandis who finished with 23 points, 7 behind Team USA, while rounding out the podium was Team Australia’s Mitch Evans, Hunter Lawrence and Jett Lawrence with 26 points.

In the first MXGP and MX2 combined race, the Fox Holeshot went to Team Belgium’s Jago Geerts who held a very tight line into the first corner ahead of Team USA’s Eli Tomac who took over first place immediately. Team France’s Maxime Renaux was third ahead of Team Switzerland’s Jeremy Seewer as the Yamaha-bound riders dominated the opening race.

Further down the field, Team Italy’s Antonio Cairoli managed to pass Team Australia’s Hunter Lawrence and Team USA’s Justin Cooper, as he moved himself up to seventh, where he would eventually finish the race.

Geerts meanwhile put up a fight to Tomac, as he set several fastest laps of the race, and managed to whittle the gap down to a second or so, before making a mistake and allowing the American to break free again.

Team Netherlands’ Glenn Coldenhoff had an unfortunate start to his race as he struggled down in 32^nd in the first few laps, while his fellow countryman Kay de Wolf was in 10^th.

Team Belgium’s Liam Everts passed Adamo for 11^th as Seewer closed in on Renaux for third. The Swiss was able to get alongside the Frenchman, but could not make the pass stick, despite making several attempts.

Team Switzerland was dealt a blow as Valentin Guillod struggled with his bike and was forced out of the race which meant that a good result from Seewer was crucial for the squad.

Further down the order, Adamo, Team France’s Marvin Musquin and Team Norway’s Kevin Horgmo battled closely for 13^th, with Musquin able to find a way past, as Team Great Britain’s Max Anstie came into pitlane with a bike issue.

In the latter stages of the race, Tomac looked in control as Geerts remained close and Renaux continued to fend off Seewer behind him. Team Australia’s Mitch Evans came under pressure from Team Spain’s Jorge Prado at one stage of the race but was able to remain calm and bring it home in fifth for the Aussie squad.

In the end, Tomac won ahead of Geerts, Renaux, Seewer and Evans.  

Main Photos: 2022 MXoN Podium - Eli Tomac

Bottom Photos: 1. Race 1 Start , 2. Mitch Evans

Race 1 (MXGP + MX2) – Top 10 Classification: 1. Eli Tomac (USA, Yamaha), 35:23.672; 2. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), +0:03.243; 3. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:58.986; 4. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +1:11.659; 5. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +1:24.846; 6. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +1:29.402; 7. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +1:33.403; 8. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Honda), +1:34.431; 9. Justin Cooper (USA, Yamaha), +1:48.130; 10. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +1:56.440;

The second heat saw Team Italy’s Mattia Guadagnini take the Fox Holeshot from Team USA’s Chase Sexton and Team Australia’s Jett Lawrence, as several riders went down in the first corner which included Team Great Britain’s Tommy Searle and Team France’s Dylan Ferrandis, among others.

The second rider of the American team, Cooper, started well in fourth, as Australia’s H. Lawrence crashed to re-join in 19^th.

Further down the field, Ferrandis was making great progress through the field as he got himself into 11^th and set his sights on breaking the top 10, with his teammate Musquin also ahead.

At the front of the group though, Guadagnini was still in control, with J. Lawrence pushing Sexton for that second position. After several attempts, Sexton was able to get through on Guadagnini, though the Italian responded shortly after.  

Sexton then lost second to J. Lawrence, who forced the issue on the American. Moments later, the Aussie was also able to get by Guadagnini to lead the second race.

As J. Lawrence led the way, Ferrandis was making moves down in seventh, and then sixth after passing Team Netherlands’ Calvin Vlaanderen and setting the fastest lap of the race. Meanwhile his teammate, Musquin was coming under pressure from H. Lawrence, who eventually passed the Frenchman but then threw it away moments later.

Sexton then got around Guadagnini for second, as also Cooper closed in on the Italian, but Guadagnini was able to hold off the American until the chequered flag.

J. Lawrence won the second heat ahead of Sexton, Guadagnini, Cooper and Team Spain’s Ruben Fernandez.

Main Photo: Jett Lawrence

Bottom Photos: 1. Race 2 Start; 2. Chase Sexton

Race 2 (MX2 + Open) – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jett Lawrence (AUS, Honda), 36:19.920; 2. Chase Sexton (USA, Honda), +0:14.240; 3. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GASGAS), +0:20.238; 4. Justin Cooper (USA, Yamaha), +0:22.058; 5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:25.555; 6. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Yamaha), +0:31.445; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +1:05.933; 8. Harri Kullas (EST, Yamaha), +1:11.398; 9. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), +1:13.503; 10. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Honda), +1:18.053;

In the final and the most crucial race of the day the Fox Holeshot went to Renaux, as Ferrandis took over the lead almost immediately, which meant it was a 1-2 for Team France, followed by Sexton, Prado, Seewer and J. Lawrence.

Geerts crashed as he headed towards the second corner, which also caught out Tomac and meant both riders had to work their way up from the back of the field.

Evans, who was running pretty well at the beginning of the race crashed and got going again in 35^th. The Australian managed to bring it home in 28^th by the end of the heat.

Ferrandis was looking fast, with Renaux fending off a hard-charging Sexton who was pushing to get by. On lap four, there was a change for the lead, as Ferrandis crashed and got going again in sixth.

Renaux was the leader with Sexton, J. Lawrence, Prado and Seewer just behind. Tomac was in seventh at the time, but Ferrandis had a big enough gap to the American that he did not have to worry too much about potential pressure from behind.

Prado then dropped two positions to Seewer and Ferrandis, as Lawrence charged down the inside of Sexton to take second on lap eight. The Australian then focused his attention on Renaux who was keen to bring the win home for the nation.

In the end, Renaux held on and took the race victory from J. Lawrence, Sexton, Ferrandis and Seewer. Team USA ended up as this year's winners with a 16-point scorecard ahead of Team France who ended up second with 23 points ahead of Team Australia who were third with 26 points. 

Main Photo: Race 3 Start;

Bottom Photos: 1. Maxime Renaux; 2 Dylan Ferrandis

Race 3 (MXGP + Open) – Top 10 Classification: 1. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), 35:30.165; 2. Jett Lawrence (AUS, Honda), +0:04.600; 3. Chase Sexton (USA, Honda), +0:08.303; 4. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Yamaha), +0:17.408; 5. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:19.507; 6. Eli Tomac (USA, Yamaha), +0:52.551; 7. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +1:02.266; 8. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +1:18.847; 9. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +1:31.044; 10. Dylan Wright (CAN, Honda), +1:40.392;

Once the final race had concluded at the podium celebrations had ended, the team’s headed to the Media Centre for the official press conference where the top three nations, the individual class winners and the winner of the Ricky Carmichael Award answered journalists’ questions and were awarded with their prizes.

Team France’s Maxime Renaux was the overall winner in the MXGP category, while in the MX2 class it was Justin Cooper. Jett Lawrence who made his Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations debut with the individual win in the Open category was also awarded the Ricky Carmichael Award for the youngest and best scoring rider in the class

Following the words of each rider, the top three teams were presented with their FIM medals by FIM President Jorge Viegas, FIM Board Member Robert Dingman and FIM/CMS Director Antonio Alia Portela, followed by the presentation of the Champions Rings to the winning team by Infront Moto Racing CEO David Luongo.

Nations Classifications – Top 10: 1. USA 16pts, 2. France 23 pts, 3. Australia 26pts, 4. Italy 49pts, 5. Belgium 50pts, 6. Spain 51pts, 7. The Netherlands 62pts, 8. Germany 71pts, 9. Switzerland 90pts, 10. Great Britain 98pts.

Eli Tomac: “That's what it was, it felt like a redemption you know from the team here and I just first off, I want to say how proud I am of my teammates, Chase and Justin. This is truly a team event and there is no race like this. Yesterday started great for us for the qualifying heats and then the rain this morning. This really levelled the playing field but we came through strong in these muddy conditions. 11 years is a long time, so I’m just proud of my teammates and everyone who is part of Team USA, this is very special for us".

Maxime Renaux: “Of course it’s great! But I want to start about the team, you know it was not the result we wanted, we wanted to go for the win, but sometimes things don’t go as planned and USA was really strong today. But I am really happy to say we had a really good atmosphere in the team, these guys were like friends that I knew a very long time, they were really like big brothers to me. They both know the track so they gave me a lot of advice and I want to thank them for that and my result for sure is a part of that. Personally, first victory at the Motocross of Nations in the 450 class was amazing with some pretty strong names”.

Hunter Lawrence: “It was really good. In the past years, we have had where we come into the last race somewhat in contention and close to the podium, and we’ve just not been fortunate enough to pull it off, so to do so here is awesome. To do it with my brother, but also Mitch, it’s really cool! Just stoked for everyone. HRC they all came together that was really cool. So yeah, it's good. And we're excited for next year we didn't have some really good years coming up”.

MONSTER ENERGY FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS, REDBUD – QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1900m

Type of ground: Loamy Dirty

Temperature: 17

Weather conditions: Rainy

Weekend Crowd Attendance: 78,300

All the photos from the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

RedBud

REDBUD (United States) 24 September 2022 – The qualifying heats at the 75^th edition of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations took place earlier today, as the 34 nations that hope to compete for the Chamberlain Trophy this year, took to the circuit for the very first time this weekend here in RedBud, United States.

The qualifying races today decided which 19 teams will head straight into tomorrow’s races, while the rest will battle it out for the final spot in the B final tomorrow morning. For teams who have their eyes set on the podium, the qualifying heats were crucial for deciding the best gate pick for the main action.

While it was Team USA who qualified best as a nation, the qualification race wins went to Team Belgium’s Jago Geerts (MXGP), Team USA’s Justin Cooper (MX2) and Dylan Ferrandis of Team France (Open).

In the MXGP qualifying heat, it was Team Switzerland’s Jeremy Seewer who was the leading rider into the first corner as he led Team Australia’s Mitch Evans, Team Netherlands’ Glenn Coldenhoff and Team Belgium’s Jago Geerts, who made his 450cc debut.

Meanwhile, Team USA’s Eli Tomac started down in 10^th, though was able to make several passes in the opening laps to edge closer to the top five.

Seewer was looking solid in the lead until he folded the front before the end of the opening lap which allowed Evans to take over first place. Geerts was second at this point and pushing the Australian for the win. Evans was able to hold off the Belgian for two laps before Geerts found his way past.

Geerts then set the fastest lap of the race as he looked to break free of the rest of the field. All while, further down the order, Tomac was applying pressure onto Team France’s Maxime Renaux. It took the American several attempts to get around the Frenchman, but he was eventually able to do so and focused on Team Spain’s Jorge Prado and Coldenhoff who were just ahead.

Geerts led the way by 3.121 seconds as Seewer was looking to make a comeback after his mistake earlier on in the race. The Swiss got onto the rear wheel of Evans before moving past the Australian with 3 minutes and two laps to go, with Evans coming under further pressure by Tomac.

Four laps from the end of the heat, Tomac was able to pass Evans and set his sights on Seewer as the pair battled intensely for the next couple of laps. Mistakes crept in for both riders, but it was Tomac who came out on top after passing Seewer on the final lap.

Geerts ended up winning the race ahead of Tomac, Seewer, Evans and Prado who rounded out the top five.

Jago Geerts: “Yeah, for sure. I didn't expect it. This morning, I was already feeling really good on the track, and I liked the 450, so it was already good this morning. I had a good start in the qualifying heat and managed to win, so I’m really happy with that. We have also qualified well with Team Belgium, so it will be fun tomorrow. I think if everything goes well, we can be on the podium. So that's the goal, and we will do everything for that”.

Main Photo: Jago Geerts

Small photos: 1. MXGP Start 2. Eli Tomac

Qualifying Heat MXGP – Top 10 Classification: 1. Jago Geerts (BEL, Yamaha), 24:49.598; 2. Eli Tomac (USA, Yamaha), +0:03.478; 3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Yamaha), +0:04.209; 4. Mitchell Evans (AUS, Honda), +0:16.694; 5. Jorge Prado (ESP, GASGAS), +0:17.469; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Yamaha), +0:31.722; 7. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:44.095; 8. Dean Wilson (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:50.440; 9. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:50.957; 10. Dylan Wright (CAN, Honda), +0:52.524;

In the MX2 qualifying, Team Spain’s Guillem Farres took the holeshot ahead of Team Netherland’s Kay de Wolf, though were both quickly passed by Team USA’s Justin Cooper who was on a mission to deliver a top result in front of the home crowd.

Cooper led as Team Australia’s Hunter Lawrence moved into second ahead of Team Italy’s Andrea Adamo, Team Chile’s Hardy Munoz, de Wolf and Team France’s Marvin Musquin.

Team Switzerland’s Valentin Guillod crashed and did not carry on with the race, which was a big blow for the team.

At the front of the field, Cooper led the way comfortably and was setting some fast laps as he extended his lead to 5.917 seconds ahead of Farres. Musquin then passed Adamo for fourth, as Lawrence got around Farres for second place on lap three.

Team Japan’s Jo Shimoda was having an unlucky qualifying race as he crashed early on in the heat, though was able to get his head down and get back to 12^th by the chequered flag.

In the closing stages, De Wolf and Adamo were having a nice battle for fifth, but this battle was cut short after a wheel problem for de Wolf that took him out of the race.

Cooper went on to win the heat comfortably ahead of Lawrence, Musquin, Farres and Adamo.

Justin Cooper: “That's pretty much how it was for my seat also. It was nice with the fans. Honestly, I've never had that many people behind me, cheering me on throughout the whole track, that was something else and I've never experienced that, so it was kind of like an adrenaline rush the whole race. I was having a lot of fun out there and I almost wished it was longer. Now just need to bring the same energy tomorrow for the races and keep that intensity".

Main Photo: Justin Cooper

Bottom Photos: 1. Hunter Lawrence 2. Marvin Musquin

Qualifying Heat MX2 – Top 10 Classification: 1. Justin Cooper (USA, Yamaha), 24:54.959; 2. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Honda), +0:18.809; 3. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), +0:30.328; 4. Guillem Farres (ESP, Yamaha), +0:42.120; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, GASGAS), +0:51.804; 6. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GASGAS), +0:52.922; 7. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:53.165; 8. Hardy Munoz (CHL, Husqvarna), +0:58.965; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, Kawasaki), +1:00.273; 10. Joshua Varize (GUM, KTM), +1:12.932;

The final heat of the day was the open qualifying race which saw Team Netherlands’ Calvin Vlaanderen take the holeshot ahead of Team France’s Dylan Ferrandis, Team Italy’s Mattia Guadagnini and Team Spain’s Ruben Fernandez. Several riders went down at the start which included Team Belgium’s Jeremy Van Horebeek.

Team USA’s Chase Sexton started fourth, with Team Australia’s Jett Lawrence further down in sixth on the opening lap, as Guadagnini crashed out of third.

Lawrence then battled closely with Fernandez, who was not looking to give up his position easily. The pair had a couple of close moments before Lawrence was able to get by on the second lap.

By that point, Sexton was third and eyeing up Ferrandis and Vlaanderen ahead. The American made some nice, fast, passes and was the new race leader by the end of the second lap. At the same time, Vlaanderen was also passed by Ferrandis and dropped back to third.

Sexton immediately set the fastest lap of the race, as he looked to break free of Ferrandis, while Lawrence passed Vlaanderen for third.

All eyes were on the leaders, who battled closely for the entire race as they kept the gap to just under two seconds. This was until Ferrandis caught his leg in his rear wheel and had to stop to get it out before continuing with the rest of the heat.

Sexton was able to pull away as a result and looked like he was on his way to Team USA’s second win of the day, but this was until he crashed on the final lap of the race, which easily allowed Ferrandis through.

Ferrandis was the qualifying race winner ahead of Sexton, Lawrence, Fernandez and Vlaanderen.

Dylan Ferrandis: “It was a very weird moment, it had never happened to me before. Before the finish jump, my leg went in the back of my bike and was stuck in the wheel, so my knee was completely stuck. I had to stop, push the bike in reverse and then get my leg free and go. I don't know why this happened, but these sorts of things always happen at the Motocross of Nations… The expectations for tomorrow are very easy, we want to win and we will try everything to win. The battle has already started against Team USA and I think this will be really interesting. We will give everything, as everybody, but I think we have a strong team to do it”.

Main Photo: Dylan Ferrandis

Photos: 1. Chase Sexton 2. Jett Lawrence

Qualifying Heat Open – Top 10 Classification: 1. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Yamaha), 25:00.986; 2. Chase Sexton (USA, Honda), +0:03.502; 3. Jett Lawrence (AUS, Honda), +0:11.947; 4. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:32.435; 5. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:35.890; 6. Harri Kullas (EST, Yamaha), +0:54.772; 7. Fredrik Noren (SWE, KTM), +1:03.561; 8. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, GASGAS), +1:09.312; 9. Lorenzo Locurcio (VEN, KTM), +1:14.933; 10. Tommy Searle (GBR, Honda), +1:18.959;

Nations Qualification – Top 10 Qualifiers: 1. USA 3pts, 2. France 4pts, 3. Australia 5pts, 4. Spain 8pts, 5. Belgium 8pts, 6. The Netherlands 11pts, 7. Italy 13 pts, 8. Switzerland 14pts, 9. Germany 18pts, 10. Great Britain 18pts.

MONSTER ENERGY FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS, REDBUD – QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1900m

Type of ground: Sand

Temperature: 22

Weather conditions: Cloudy

All the photos from the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

WEEKEND TIMETABLE (Local Time UTC-4)

SUNDAY: 08:45 B-Final Warm-up, 09:15 MXoN Group 1 Warm-up, 09:45 MXoN Group 2 Warm-up, 11:00 B-Final, 13:10 MXGP& MX2 (MXoN Race 1), 14:40 MX2 & Open (MXoN Race 2), 16:08 Open & MXGP (MXoN Race 3).

The 2022 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations will be available to view LIVE on www.MXGP-TV.com or you can find a complete list of MXGP broadcasting partners HERE!

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

RedBud