While we sit in a different era now, there are two men that stand tall in the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations history books. Ricky Carmichael from Team USA and Stefan Everts from Team Belgium. These two men had their share of victories, Carmichael winning the team event in 2000, 2005 and 2007 and Everts in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2003 and 2004.
Now as we come closer to this year’s event, set for the Redbud circuit in USA, both Carmichael and Everts could be standing in the crowd, watching as fans. Both respected in the sport and both happy with their achievements, but just as happy to be sitting in the middle of a group of fellow motocross fans enjoying the action.
Everts ended his career at the Matterley Basin circuit way back in 2006, helping Team Belgium onto the podium after scoring 1-1 results and beating James Stewart from Team USA. American might have won the event but Everts walked away the hero.
“When I rode there in 2006,” Everts said. “It was the biggest crowd I had ever ridden in front of in Europe and the Nations, so a good moment, even great moment.”
For Ricky Carmichael, it was never a question if he would go to the Motocross of Nations, because he always put his hand up to race the event. Carmichael loved the atmosphere and the experience, and while Team USA didn’t always win under his watch, he had more than enough success.
“It was an honor to go to the Motocross of Nations,” Carmichael said. “To be invited to that race. In my day, if you could win any title and be selected to represent the USA at the Motocross of Nations was one of the greatest honors. So, that was always one of my goals. I raced the Motocross of Nations in Zolder, Belgium, and we did pretty good. We didn’t win as a team, but it was one of the best races of my life and I had a blown-out ACL.”
Now in 2018, with these two legends long retired, more than a decade ago for both, the new breed are in the firing line, riders like Eli Tomac, Jeffrey Herlings, Antonio Cairoli and Ken Roczen, all looking to get their own piece of Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations glory. While multiple team wins for these guys seems unlikely in the super competitive world of MXGP, you can be sure at Redbud this year, all will be trying to help their country to the top of the podium.
Copyright Photo: Geoff Meyer
