Team USA’s attendance plays a huge part in the success of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. After watching them from Europe the entire year, via television, Internet, magazines or even newspapers, seeing them actually race in Europe is the pinnacle of the year for most motocross junkies.
After losing the Chamberlain Trophy last year in the super deep sand of Lommel (Belgium), Team USA’s loss was put down to lack of terrain experience; rightfully so as Lommel is in fact one of the only ‘bottomless’ motocross tracks in the world. This year, the Monster Energy FIM MXON was in Teutschenthal, Germany; a track that sits at the complete opposite end of the spectrum with its hard packed base and constant change in elevation, which of course was predicted to be better suited to the MXON favorites Team USA.
We know USA don’t come to MXON for anything less than first place, so when they lost again for the second year in a row, it got USA fan’s scratching their heads. Could more time riding and racing in Europe be the answer to USA taking back the Chamberlain Cup? After Team USA Open rider Justin Barcia’s comment in the press conference, it would seem that way.
Justin Barcia: “We are disappointed to finish second, but it’s been another good experience. I love racing with these guys, its awesome. The European series is cool and the tracks are way gnarlier than back home. I wish our tracks got like that; we can’t find anything like that in the USA to ride with it being so choppy and gnarly. Hopefully one day I can maybe come back and race the GP’s after hopefully winning some AMA championships.”
By: Nikki Scott