2010 Motocross des Nations Insider

"USA! USA! USA!” is still ringing in my ears as I sit down to take a look back at the 64th running of the Motocross des Nations. Each country’s trio of riders put their heart and soul into racing for the honor of their home flag and for fans that had traveled great distances. Even though the race was held on American soil, at times if felt like you were smack in the muddle of Europe. That was until Team USA would pass by and a deafening roar would erupt form the red, white and blue covered fans.

This years Motocross des Nations was held at Colorado’s Thunder Valley just outside of Denver. Sitting at just over 6,000 feet above sea level, Thunder Valley has some serious elevation changes, which would be tough even at a reasonable altitude. Many of the riders arrived a week or more ahead of time to get used to the thin air of the Mile High City. For some though the altitude would be a constant performance hindrance not only to their rides but also to their bodies.

One rider that struggled with the altitude was Italy’s Antonio Cairoli. The Current MX1 champ struggles with asthma, and the altitude and dust made getting enough oxygen tough for the KTM factory rider. Although he suffered from a shortness of breath, Cairoli smoked the field in the qualifying round and ran with Ryan Dungey in the first moto for a short time. The Italian team captain finished fourth in the final moto of the day, leading his compatriots to a fifth overall finish.

Another rider that struggled in the thin mountain air was France’s Marvin Musquin, but it wasn’t a problem with his lungs rather his bike. The KTM that Musquin rode in the MX2 championship was carbureted, but the team chose to run a fuel injected model for Colorado. The MX2 champ pulled out of the first moto, and at first it was thought he had reinjured his wrist. Later it was discover he was having trouble with his bike not running correctly. After lining up for Moto 2, Musquin had to pull out of the moto before the gate drop with issues of the bike not running well once again. With two DNF’s on France’s scorecard there was no chance for last year’s runners-up.

Finishing just out of the top-three was Great Britain, missing out of a podium finish by just one point. Pro Circuit’s Dean Wilson decided to ride under the Scottish flag, but could have also chose to ride for Canada as he has dual citizenship. Wilson was born in Scotland and said that is why he chose to join the British team, but some surmised it was also because his chance of a podium would be better than on the Canadian team. Either way, Mean Dean carried his team through the day, being the only member to finish in the top-10 in both motos and the second fastest MX2 rider in the field.

The fastest MX2 rider, Ken Roczen, helped his German teammates to the podium with a third place finish in the second moto. Not only was Roczen the fastest MX2 rider; he was also the youngest at just over 16-years old. In the second moto the German phenom actually led several laps after passing USA’s Andrew Short. What an amazing performance considering the altitude, hills and absolutely huge jumps on the Thunder Valley track. Next year American fans will get a chance to see who Roczen stacks up to in the United States, as he announced after the race he has plans to race select Supercross rounds in 2011.

Although Team USA was a favorite to win, racing is always unpredictable - especially when everyone is charging into that first turn. Trey Canard had first gate pick for Moto 1and lined up on the inside with most of the MX2 riders. Going into the first turn, Canard and “Puerto Rican” Zach Osborne tangled and went down. Ice-Trey’s handlebars got stuck in Osborne’s rear wheel, taking what seemed like an eternity to American fans for the two to get separated. With all but one rider ahead of him, Canard had his work cut out for him and didn’t disappoint. When the checkers flew Canard crossed the line in 12th place while his teammate, Dungey, won the moto with a 10-second gap.

Many thought that Canard’s first moto would be the throw away score, putting some serious pressure on Andrew Short to perform. Shorty rocketed to the front of the pack with a Moto 2 holeshot, but soon was passed by Roczen. Short then came under fire from New Zealand’s Ben Townley. For some reason Townley and Short are like magnets on the track, and they seem to run into each other much too often. History has a way for repeating itself, and the New Zealand rider knocked Short to the ground just after the mechanic’s area. The American fans held their breath as Short struggled to regain his wits. Eventually, the American MX3 rider got back on his bike and found the crash had broke the clutch lever off.

"I was pretty dazed; he hit me so hard," said Shorty. "I was just trying to get everything sorted again, and then I got my bike up and realized the clutch lever was gone. I knew I couldn't give up."

Short ended up in 13th while Canard finished 7th. So now Canard’s 12th would stick and Short’s score would be the one thrown out. The favorites now trailed Germany by five points and needed to dominate the final moto, but could they pull it off? For sure Dungey would hold up his end, but could Shorty rebound from his hard knocks with Townley?

When the gate dropped, Short shot out of his gate like a rocket and once again took the holeshot. Dungey was right behind with Townley in third. While the Americans were doing all they could, it wasn’t enough as the Germans were far enough up to take the win. Then it happened, Nagl went down hard and had to pull out of the race. That gave Team USA the overall as they crossed the line 1-2 to the cheers of the American fans.

Never before have I been witness to such patriotism at a race, and the scene at the finish line gave me goose bumps. As the “Star-Spangled Banner” played and the Chamberlain Trophy was hoisted above Team USA’s head, I was reminded why motocross is the greatest sport in the USA and the world. For 2011 the Motocross des Nations will be held in the French town of St. Jean d’Angely, and we’ll be there to bring you all the action when Team USA goes for seven in a row.