Second to the USA last year, Team France will arrive at Sunday's starting gate with two 2006 Motocross world champions in their line-up. 18-year-old Christophe Pourcel, who wrapped up his first MX2 title last Sunday in Ernée, and Yves Demaria, winner of his second MX3 title, will be two key elements in Team France’s chase for success. They will be joined by Christophe's elder brother Sebastien, who will have the opportunity to ride the 450cc Kawasaki he will race full time in 2007.
Completing the 2005 podium were Belgium, which will field Suzuki team-mates Kevin Strijbos and Steve Ramon - second and third behind Everts in the MX1 World Championship - beside Stefan this year. Everts and Ramon will race their usual 450cc machines, while Strijbos will race on the smaller 250cc machine. Belgium is considered the second pre-event favourite, behind America.
But one nation itching to cause an upset is New Zealand. The Kiwis turned heads with fourth overall last season and will again call upon the services of 2005 MX1 runner-up Josh Coppins and former MX2 World Champion Ben Townley. Coppins is the only rider other than Everts to win a grand prix this season, while Townley has shown impressive pace in his brief AMA appearances this year. They will be joined by Cody Cooper, a leading rider in the New Zealand National Championships.
Britain may currently be equal with America in terms of all-time Motocross of Nations wins, each holding a record 16, but it will take more than the expected massive dose of home support to halt the likes of Belgium and America this weekend. That could yet work in Team GB's favour and the relatively young line-up of MX2 World Championship riders Billy Mackenzie, Carl Nunn and Tommy Searle could excel in their 'underdog' role.
Cousins Tanel and Aigar Leok will wear Estonian uniforms alongside Juss Laansoo, while Holland will be represented by 2007 factory Yamaha MX1 rider Marc de Reuver, George Strik and Bas Verhoeven.
