Carmichael withdraws from Motocross of Nations.

To the immense disappointment of Motocross fans worldwide, AMA champion Ricky Carmichael has lost his race against time to be fit for this weekend's Motocross of Nations at Matterley basin, in Winchester, England.

The end-of-season team event was supposed to form the finale of Carmichael's full time career - he will race in only select events next season - and provide a thrilling final face-off with also retiring ten-times world champion Stefan Everts.

But unfortunately, Carmichael injured his shoulder during the final round of the AMA Motocross season, at Glen Helen on September 10. The injury was estimated to need three weeks to heal, but RC had less than two before the Motocross of Nations and, despite exhaustive efforts to heal in time, the record-breaking Floridian has been forced to admit defeat.

However Ricky, who led Team USA to victory one year ago in France, will still attend the event and fulfil his Captain's duties from the sidelines. Carmichael's Suzuki team-mate Ivan Tedesco, a member of the victories Ernee line-up, will now take his place alongside James Stewart and Ryan Villopoto.

Carmichael's withdraw means that Stewart has switched to the premier MX1 class, with Tedesco riding MX3 while AMA Lites champion Villopoto stays in MX2. Despite RC's reluctant withdraw, Team USA - currently tied with Great Britain at the top of the all-time win list with 16 'Nations titles - are arguably still the pre-race favourites, over Everts and Belgium, although the contest is expected to be much closer...

Free practice and qualifying takes place on Saturday with all three races on Sunday. The weather forecast suggests pleasant weather for Saturday, but light rain on Sunday.