MX OF NATIONS - GREAT BRITAIN - 23/24 SEPTEMBER 2006
Everts relishing star-studded swansong
The 60th Motocross of Nations, due to take place on British
shores at the Matterley Basin circuit near Winchester on 23
/ 24 September, will witness the most decorated and successful
two riders from the modern era of the sport crossing swords
for the final time as confirmed by the official entry list
recently released for the competition by the FIM.
The 2006 and ten-times World Champion Stefan Everts, who
has appeared on the Nations podium an incredible fourteen
times from fourteen appearances including five victories,
will again lead Team Belgium in his last competitive season.
The 2006 AMA Supercross and Motocross number one Ricky Carmichael
fronts the reigning Champions Team USA in the traditional
season curtain-closer. The Suzuki ace and most successful
rider in AMA history will complete a final full campaign of
motocross and Supercross with his Matterley Basin outing.
Aside from the two big names thirty one other countries will
be submitting three man squads to contest the three classes
of MX1, MX2 and MX Open. Three continents are covered with
the diverse presence of nations such as Slovenia, China and
Slovakia. Among the favourites for podium positions will of
course be the USA (needing one more victory to take the lead
in the winner’s table, they currently stand tied with
Great Britain on sixteen triumphs) The 2005 runner-ups Belgium,
a young French crew, Italy, New Zealand and of course the
hosts with Billy Mackenzie, Carl Nunn and Tommy Searle confirmed
as the UK’s representatives.
33 year old Everts has won all but one of the Grand Prix
events this season and recently clinched his sixth World title
in succession. He currently has ninety nine career wins in
all classes and will be hoping to enter the next stage of
his life without the boots and helmet by giving the electric
Carmichael – equally dominant again this year across
the Atlantic - a run for his money. In terms of their meetings
‘RC’ has the upper hand having defeated his factory
Yamaha nemesis on the track in Belgium 2003 and at Ernee in
France during 2005.
“All the previous Motocross of Nations were such great
days for me but in 2005 I don’t know what happened;
I just did not have that magic in Ernee or a good feeling
on the track. Hopefully this year I can have another memorable
Nations especially as this is my last one,” commented
Everts. “I want to push Ricky as much as possible. I
will do my best and I will keep working with my fitness so
that I am in the optimum shape although the last few weeks
have been very hectic with a lot of planning and discussions
about my future. It also depends a little on the state of
the track and the weather in England. I have been very strong
this year, perhaps more than ever, so who knows? I will not
say now that I will beat him because I know it will be difficult
but we’ll see what happens on the day and what I am
capable of on the bike.”
While Everts will count on the support of Kevin Strijbos
and Steve Ramon the other two members of the American team
to compliment Carmichael make for a formidable line-up with
World Supercross Champion James Stewart set to make his first
pro racing appearance outside of the States and young talent
Ryan Villopoto filling the MX2 saddle. “For sure the
fans will be excited to see James Stewart,” Everts continued.
“Of course he is very good on the bike and it will be
nice to see him competing in Europe for the first time. It
is great for the Nations that he is in there.”
The entry list sadly saw the withdrawal of other top US-based
riders Chad Reed (Australia) and Grant Langston (South Africa)
due to injury but this pushes the emphasis even more onto
the Americans and Belgians. “The USA will be the favourites,”
concedes Everts. “They have the strongest team. A few
riders have got injured and that has affected some of the
others. South Africa had a decent line-up but now Langston
is out and the same can be said for Australia with Reed gone.
Ben Townley will ride for New Zealand but might not be at
top level after a long time off the bike. At this point the
USA is the biggest target for us.”
The three races on Sunday with all three classes racing the
other at some stage will be a premium draw for off-road motorcycle
racing fans around the World. A bumper crowd is expected into
the vast expanses of Matterley Basin and the venue that hosted
the British Grand Prix in June is currently undergoing modifications
to prepare for the biggest and most historic motocross event.
“I think Matterley is a good track for the Nations,
but I hope the changes that they make won’t head too
much in the direction of American layouts,” concluded
Everts. “They need to keep that European style in there!”
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