The post-Stefan Everts era of world championship Motocross begins this weekend at Valkenswaard, when the fight for the 2007 MX1 and MX2 titles starts at the Grand Prix of Benelux.

Everts, the most successful grand prix motocross rider of all time, retired with a tenth world title at the end of the 2006 season and, with no clear successor waiting to inherit his throne, the premier MX1 class is now the most open in recent years.

Numerous riders, representing numerous manufacturers, have starred during pre-season races but Everts' Yamaha replacement, Josh Coppins, is arguably the man to beat heading into this weekend's sandy event - having been Stefan's nearest rival for recent years and also the only person to defeat the great Belgian last season. Josh will be joined in Yamaha's top team by MX1 debutant Marc de Reuver.

Factory Suzuki riders Steve Ramon and Kevin Strijbos both have the potential to keep the MX1 crown in Belgian hands, although Strijbos recently underwent a knee operation and might therefore take things carefully this weekend.

Having poached Everts from Yamaha to start a new management role, the KTM Red Bull team is again likely to be a strong force this season - when it will field the ever-improving Jonathan Barragan as well as ultra-fast debutant David Philippaerts. There is also another KTM racer to watch out for; Sarholz rider Max Nagl, who has had a stunning off-season.

Kawasaki Europe will also be aiming to deliver. Estonian Tanel Leok is now more experienced, and wants to be a serious title contender after a 2006 season that was compromised by injuries. On the other hand Scotsman Billy Mackenzie is another debutant in MX1, as is Sebastien Pourcel of the GPKR team, but both are highly charged and ready to perform.

22-year-old Belgian Ken de Dycker remains with the CAS Honda team, which has also drafted in experienced American Mike Brown to replace Coppins. Both have the speed to win, but questions remain as to their full-season potential.

Meanwhile, two new manufacturers will join the MX1 class in 2007: Aprilia has entrusted its twin-cylinder MXV 4.5 to former triple world champion Alessio Chiodi and former grand prix winner Cedric Melotte. WRM has entered only one bike, to be ridden by 2004 MX3 class runner-up Cristian Beggi.

In the MX2 class, defending champion Christophe Pourcel underlined his talent by winning an AMA Supercross Lites race during the off-season and, despite a subsequent injury, is expected to be back to his best this weekend.