New Zealand may again shine on the world motocross stage, writes Andy McGechan
The Motocross of Nations is the biggest and best motocross of the year and once again New Zealand will have an impressive presence at what is considered the "Olympic Games of motocross".
It is just over two weeks until the 67th edition of the great race, set this time forthe steep hillside track of Teutschenthal, near Leipzig, in former East Germany.
New Zealand again has a team this year that is capable of big things - Mount Maunganui pair Cody Cooper and Rhys Carter and Mangakino's Kayne Lamont.
They have a better chance than most of being on the podium late on the afternoon of September 29, although that will actually be Monday morning back home in New Zealand.
From rookie first-timers in 1984 to top-10 regulars just over 10 years later - Team New Zealand first cracked the top 10, finishing seventh, in Slovakia in 1995 - Kiwi motocross riders now rate among some of the best in the world.
There have been some great MXoN races over the years, such as in 2006 when 10-time world champion Stefan Everts and Italy's Antonio Cairoli dominated the racing at Matterley Basin, near Winchester, in southwest England, although Team USA did enough that day to win the main trophy anyway, finishing top of the podium with Team Belgium runners-up and the Team New Zealand squad finishing in third.
New Zealand has been on the MXoN podium on three memorable occasions in recent times - at Foxhills, in England, in 1998 (with Darryll King, Shayne King, Josh Coppins), at Namur, in Belgium, in 2001 (Daryl Hurley, Josh Coppins, Shayne King) and at Matterley Basin, in England, in 2006 (Josh Coppins, Cody Cooper, Ben Townley).
With Kiwi riders taking their careers overseas in increasing numbers, and New Zealanders lining up regularly at Grand Prix world championship events, or even at major domestic races in countries such as Australia, England, Belgium or the United States, the likelihood of New Zealand winning the Motocross des Nations has gone from far-fetched dream to achievable reality.
That is also perhaps the case in Germany on September 29, with New Zealand MX1 champion Cooper, Kiwi domestic frontrunner Carter and former Australian under-19 champion Lamont there to fly the Kiwi flag.
Mangakino's Kayne Lamont (KTM), set to again race for Team New Zealand at the annual Motocross of Nations.
"I'd like to think that Team New Zealand can slip inside the top 10 again this time," said Coppins.
New Zealand finished 15th when the race was staged in Belgium last season and this year's edition of the big race is again shaping up as an extraordinary battle.
The racing will feature more than 120 of the best motocross riders on the planet.
But, seeing as only 40 of those riders can line up at one time in the final three motos to decide who takes away the Chamberlain Trophy, a rigorous elimination process is required.
The Monster Energy-sponsored event begins its whittling procedure with qualification races on the Saturday (Sunday morning, NZ time).
