The 60th Motocross of Nations will take place on British shores at the Matterley Basin circuit on September 23-24 - where the two most decorated and successful riders of the modern era will cross swords for the final time.
2006 and ten-times world champion Stefan Everts, who has appeared on the 'Nations podium an incredible fourteen times from fourteen appearances including five victories, will again lead Team Belgium in his last competitive season while 2006 AMA Supercross and Motocross number one Ricky Carmichael will front Team USA, the reigning champions. The Suzuki ace and most successful rider in AMA history will complete his final full season of racing with his Matterley Basin outing.
33 year old Everts has won all but one of the grand prix events this season and recently clinched his sixth world title in succession. The Belgian legend currently has 99 career wins and will be hoping to enter the next stage of his life without the boots and helmet by giving the electric Carmichael - equally dominant again this year across the Atlantic - a run for his money. In terms of their meetings 'RC' has the upper hand having defeated his factory Yamaha nemesis on the track in Belgium 2003 and at Ernee in France during 2005.
"All the previous Motocross of Nations were such great days for me but in 2005 I don't know what happened; I just did not have that magic in Ernee or a good feeling on the track. Hopefully this year I can have another memorable Nations especially as this is my last one," commented Everts. "I want to push Ricky as much as possible. I will do my best and I will keep working with my fitness so that I am in the optimum shape although the last few weeks have been very hectic with a lot of planning and discussions about my future. It also depends a little on the state of the track and the weather in England. I have been very strong this year, perhaps more than ever, so who knows? I will not say now that I will beat him because I know it will be difficult but we'll see what happens on the day and what I am capable of on the bike."
While Everts will count on the support of Kevin Strijbos and Steve Ramon the other two members of the American team to compliment Carmichael make for a formidable line-up with World Supercross champion James Stewart set to make his first pro racing appearance outside of the States and rising star Ryan Villopoto filling the MX2 saddle.
"For sure the fans will be excited to see James Stewart," Everts continued. "Of course he is very good on the bike and it will be nice to see him competing in Europe for the first time. It is great for the 'Nations that he is in there."
The recently released entry list sadly saw the withdrawal of other top US-based riders Chad Reed (Australia) and Grant Langston (South Africa) due to injury, but this pushes the emphasis even more onto the Americans and Belgians.
"The USA will be the favourites," concedes Everts. "They have the strongest team. A few riders have got injured and that has affected some of the others. South Africa had a decent line-up but now Langston is out and the same can be said for Australia with Reed gone. Ben Townley will ride for New Zealand but might not be at top level after a long time off the bike. At this point the USA is the biggest target for us."
Three races, with all three classes racing the other at some stage, will decide the destination of the 2006 'Nations title and a bumper crowd is expected into the vast expanses of Matterley Basin - the venue that hosted the British Grand Prix in June – which is currently undergoing modifications to prepare for the biggest and most historic motocross event.
"I think Matterley is a good track for the Nations, but I hope the changes that they make won't head too much in the direction of American layouts," concluded Everts. "They need to keep that European style in there!"
