MX of Nations - Winchester 23rd and 24th September 2006

[POSTED 25.09.06]

This weekend marked the most notorious motocross racing in history, with the MX of Nations 60th year and world loved riders Stephan Everts and Bubba Stewart battling for first position on Everts retiring race.

This event was like no other, with over a record braking 85,000 spectators visiting from all over the globe in ore of the whole experience. The language barrier and team competitiveness wasn't an issue, as everyone was so thrilled to be a part of the event.

Carmichael still made an appearance at the weekend, but unfortunately couldn't race due to a previous injury. This weekend would have also marked his retiring race.

The racetrack was left in perfect condition from the torrential rain from the nights before, and fortunately for the spectators the weather held out during the day with unforgettable sunshine.

On Saturday, the qualifying rounds were a race between 2 riders. The whole weekend was really just about Everts and Stewart, and within the first few seconds of the qualifying round, this was apparent.

With Stewart leading throughout the qualifying, Everts seemed he was just holding back for the final race on Sunday.

Behind Everts and Stewart, there was a great tense fight for third between New Zealand's Josh Coppins and Muc-Off's sponsored rider Billy McKenzie, with McKenzie eventually taking the position.

Saturdays MX1 qualifying results:

1. James Stewart (USA)
2. Stefan Everts (Belgium)
3. Billy McKenzie (Great Britain)
4. Josh Coppins (New Zealand)
5. Tanel Leok (Estonia)
6. Maximilian Nagl (Germany)
7. David Philippaerts (Italy)
8. Sebastien Pourcel (France)
9. Jonathan Barragan (Spain)
10. Marc De Reuver (Netherlands)

MX 2 saw a few nail biting moments in the qualifying round, but Ryan Villopoto and newly crowned MX2 World Champion Christophe Pourcel stole the first and second position, with Caroli, after a poor start fighting for third.

Saturdays MX2 qualifying results:

1. Ryan Villopoto (USA)
2. Christophe Pourcel (France)
3. Antonio Cairoli (Italy)
4. Ben Townley (New Zealand)
5. Tyla Rattray (South Africa)
6. Kevin Strijbos (Belgium)
7. Tommy Searle (Great Britain)
8. Brett Metcalfe (Australia)
9. Rui Goncalves (Portugal)
10. Carlos Campano (Spain)

The final first race Moto 1 MX1-MX2

It was a tense moment as the stars of motocross lined up to take the winning title at MX of Nations. With Stewart winning the qualifying round, the title looked like it was his.

The atmosphere was phenomenal, with the crowd cheering for their own country and loved rider, in anticipation of the overall result.

Everts was indestructible, taking the lead after Stewart slipped for the first time ever, knocking him back. Stewart however flew past riders and within only a few laps fought to second position, where he couldn't reach Everts for first.

Results:

1. Stefan Everts(Bel)
2. James Stewart (Usa)
3. Ryan Villopoto (Usa)
4. Christophe Pourcel (Fra)
5. Ben Townley (Nsl)
6. Joshua Coppins (Nsl)
7. David Philippaerts (Ita)
8. Max Nagl (Ger)
9. Tyla Rattray (Rsa)
10. Antonio Cairoli (Ita)
11. Kevin Strijbos (Bel)
12. Tanel Leok (Est)
13. Billy MacKenzie (Gbr)
14. Jonathan Barragan (Spa)
15. Sebastien Pourcel (Fra)
16. Aigar Leok (Est)
17. Matti Seistola (Fin)
18. Neville Bradshaw(Rsa)
19. Antti Pyrhonen (Fin)
20. Brett Metcalfe (Aus)

Moto 2 MX2-OPEN

Antonio Cairoli, got the crowd going with classic riding, spectators from all countries were cheering him out of respect and amazement as he rode past.

Unlike the qualifying round, Cairoli stole first, with Villopoto falling second and Pourcel in seventh.

Results:

1. Antonio Cairoli (Ita)
2. Ryan Villopoto (Usa)
3. Ben Townley (Nsl)
4. Steve Ramon (Bel)
5. Tyla Rattray (Rsa)
6. Ivan Tedesco (Usa)
7. Christophe Pourcel (Fra)
8. Jussi Vehvilainen (Fin)
9. Tommy Searle (Gbr)
10. Carlos Campano (Spa)
11. Avis Wyatt (Rsa)
12. Carl Nunn (Gbr)
13. Aigar Leok (Est)
14. Matti Seistola (Fin)
15. Marc Ristori(Swi)
16. Cristian Beggi (Ita)
17. Cody Cooper (Nsl)
18. Martin Zerava (Cz)
19. Yves Demaria (Fra)
20. Alvaro Lozano (Spa)

Moto 3 MX1-OPEN

As if the earlier rounds of racing wasn't good enough, MX1 riders really pushed out all the stops to make the 60th MX of Nations one to remember.

Stephan took first again, with Stewart following a repeated second.

Moto 3: MX1-OPEN

1. Stefan Everts (Bel)
2. James Stewart (Usa)
3. Davide Philippaerts (Ita)
4. Tanel Leok (Est)
5. Steve Ramon (Bel)
6. Jonathan Barragan (Spa)
7. Sebastien Pourcel (Fra)
8. Joshua Coppins (Nzl)
9. Ivan Tedesco (Usa)
10. Billy MacKenzie (Gbr)
11. Carl Nunn (Gbr)
12. Atsuta Yoshitaka (Jap)
13. Cody Cooper (Aus)
14. Blair Morgan (Can)
15. Yves Demaria (Fra)
16. Neville Bradshaw (Rsa)
17. Alvaro Lozano (Spa)
18. Cheyne Boyd (Aus)
19. Daniel Reardon (Aus)
20. Jussi Vehvilainen (Fin)

Although with 2 wins by Belgiums Stephan Everts, the team only reached an overall second position, with the American team victorious in first.

NATIONS CLASSIFICATION:

1. USA 15
2. Belgium 22
3. New Zealand 35
4. Italy 37
5. France 48
6. Great Britain 55
7. South Africa 59
8. Spain 67
9. Estonia 69
10. Finland 78
11. Australia 102
12. Japan 118
13. Germany 125
14. Portugal 133
15. Slovakia 134

This event was truly one to remember with world class motorcross by world class riders. Charmichael and Everts have left a benchmark on the sport, and their boots will be almost impossible to fill.