Author: Brent Stallo
MXoN Talk Heats Up - More Teams Announced by the Day
The 2011 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations is set for St Jean d'Angely in France in a month's time and you can begin to feel the excitement as each country chooses its best riders to take on the world. It's a bragging right the American's have won for the last seven straight years, but one that could just as easily be taken away at any moment.
While only a portion of the team line-ups have been submitted, the ones that have are strong in depth.
Great Britain will be sending Dean Wilson, Tommy Searle and Brad Anderson to the gate in France with Wilson riding MX2, Searle MX3 and Anderson heading up the team in MX1. Team USA also recently announced their team at Round 9 of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships last weekend at Unadilla. As expected, they'll be bringing in veterans Ryan Dungey and Ryan Villopoto to lead the team and new blood Blake Baggett to take on the MX2 class. Between RD and RV they have five MXoN titles and are hoping this year will make it their 6th.
Other notable teams who have submitted line-ups include France with Marvin Musquin, Gautier Paulin and Steven Frossard and Australia with Chad Reed, Brett Metcalfe and current Australian Outdoor Champion, Matt Moss.
More teams are submitting rider lists by the day and we'll be on top of it every step of the way. Be sure and check back next week for more MXoN news.
Herlings Dominates on 350 at Belgium Championships
As if proving he wasn't the fastest MX2 rider on sand wasn't enough, Jeffrey Herlings decided to take on the MX1 riders at the most recent round of the Belgium Championships at Mol. He ended up winning all three motos with margins of 20 seconds, 41 seconds and 18 seconds in a field that included Max Nagl, Evgeny Bobryshev, Kevin Strijbos, Tanel Leok, Shaun Simpson, Jonathan Barragan and Joel Roelants. This kid has talent coming out of his ears and he's still young. Look for him to make a big impact wherever he lines the gate for years to come.
Clement Desalle Out for Season
There was bad news over the weekend for factory Suzuki and Team Belgium as Clement Desalle broke his left shoulder during the racing. He's since had an operation on it, but he looks to be out for at least six weeks, meaning an end to his World Championship hopes and his chances of racing the Motocross of Nations in France.
Cody Cooper to Fill Void
While it was a disastrous weekend for Clement Desalle, things are looking up for Cody Cooper. In light of Desalle's injury, Cooper has been brought in by Suzuki to fill his void, but the New Zealander won't be able to make it to Matterley Basin for the British GP this weekend, however he will be at both Gaildorf and Italy for the final two rounds.
2011 Monster Energy Cup Amateur Lineup
The Monster Energy Cup is slated to kick off the Weekend of October 15, and while the world's best supercross racers will be competing for the chance to win a 1 million dollar cash prize, the world's best amateurs will be on the scene testing their supercross skills as well. Only the top finishers from Loretta Lynn's have received the invite, so expect to see some of the best amateur supercross racing the U.S. has to offer. See below for a complete invitee list.
Amateur All-Star Class Lineup
250 A Qualifiers
1. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Yamaha
2. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
3. Jessy Nelson, Templeton, Calif., Honda
4. Grand Ransdell, Milner, Georgia, Yamaha
5. Jesse Wentland, Elk River, Minn., Yamaha
6. Gavin Faith, Duncombe, Iowa, Honda
7. Preston Tilford, Fontana, Calif., Yamaha
8. Chris Plouffe, Castaic, Calif., Honda
250 B Modified Qualifiers
1. Thomas Covington, Temecula, Calif., Kawasaki
2. Blake Savage, Washington, Utah, Kawasaki
3. Zack Williams, Elko, Minn., Honda
4. Vann Martin, Houston, Texas, Honda
5. Justin Summers, Milton, Fla., Suzuki
6. Cody Chisholm, Seminole, Fla., Yamaha
7. Chris Carrillo, Simi Valley, Calif., Honda
8. Joey Savatgy, Thomasville, Georgia, Suzuki
Super-Mini Class (12-15 years old) Lineup
1. Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki
2. Jordon Smith, Belmont N.C., Suzuki
3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Honda
4. Daniel Baker, Crittenden, KY, Honda
5. Andrew Pierce, Huffman, Texas, Suzuki
6. Troy Graffunder, Wheatland, Calif., Honda
7. Chase Marquier, Newcastle, Okla., Suzuki
8. Shelby Peterson, Fort Worth, Texas, Kawasaki
9. Cole Barbieri, Ukiah, Calif., Yamaha
10. Jaisaac Sloan, Phoenix, Arizona, Honda
11. Austen Wiser, Mansfield, Texas, Kawasaki
12. Bradford Young, Delray Beach, Fla., Kawasaki
13. Keith Tucker, Fuquay Varina, N.C., KTM
14. Jantz Grodzicki, San Diego, Calif., Suzuki
15. Samuel Redman, Clarksville, Tenn., Suzuki
