Budds Creek will host the 61st edition of the famous end-of-season team event, which America has won a record 17 times - and Team USA are again the overwhelming favourites for 2007.
After missing last year's event through injury Carmichael, the most successful AMA Supercross/Motocross rider of all time, will captain Team USA for the final time this weekend before retirement. RC, a long-time supporter of the 'Nations, will be joined by Ryan Villopoto and Tim Ferry, the latter replacing the injured James Stewart.
With RC's skills beyond question in the MX1 class, and Villopoto a reigning MX2 class champion in both AMA Supercross and Motocross, Ferry represents the weakest link in a very strong chain. Nevertheless, Ferry was in contention for the 2007 AMA Motocross crown, after team-mate Stewart's injury, and Team USA is considered to have a stronger line-up than the Stewart/Villopoto/Tedesco team that triumphed - albeit without a moto win - in 2006.
Individual star of last year's event was retiring ten times world champion Stefan Everts, who won both his heats but couldn't lift his country above America alone. This year's Belgian squad features two Motocross of Nations rookies in the form of Ken De Dycker and Jeremy Van Horebeek, with MX1 world champion Steve Ramon completing the team.
At Matterley Basin last year, Belgium was the most successful team from an individual point of view, with Ramon and Everts winning the Open and MX1 classes respectively, while Villopoto had won the MX2.
New Zealand, who finished an excellent third last year, has been hit by Josh Coppins’ shoulder injury, which cost the Kiwi the MX1 crown. Coppins will be replaced by Daryl Hurley, who will race alongside countrymen Cody Cooper and Ben Townley. Former world champion Townley will be well known to the American fans, having won an MX2 class Supercross title and finished a close second to team-mate Villopoto in the Motocross series.
