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Even if Cooper Webb, Jason Anderson and Alex Martin return to Team USA looking for redemption next year at the 2017 Motocross of Nations, they won't have home track advantage.
Glen Helen Raceway, a staple in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series, was scheduled to host the 2017 "Olympics of Motocross." But in a surprise announcement today, Youthstream dropped the Southern California location because of low attendance at two prior rounds of the Motocross World Championships held there. No word on the new site but it doesn't sound like the United States gets to host the MXoN anytime soon. Belgium is slotted for the 2018 date. The official press release is below:
Principality of Monaco, (27 September 2016) - Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, Youthstream President, and Mr. Bud Felkamp, President of the Glen Helen Raceway, had a meeting at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Maggiora and in common agreement they have decided to not organize the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in Glen Helen in 2017.
Glen Helen Raceway and Youthstream have worked in close cooperation over the last 2 years and both entities have invested serious funds for the organization of the MXGP of USA but despite the quality of the organization, the excellent racing and the massive media coverage the fan attendance was much lower than expected and also much lower than what this event deserves.
For such a prestigious event which deserves and needs an outstanding fan participation the risk is too high, and this is the main reason why it has been decided in common agreement to not organize the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in 2017 in Glen Helen. If the situation changes in the future both parties would be keen to work together.
Update - Youthstream has announced Matterley Basin in Winchester, Great Britain will host the 2017 Motocross of Nations. Matterley Basin last held the MXoN in 2006. The United States has to wait until at least 2019 for the event to come stateside.
