Apathy towards the MXdN?

robkinuk wrote:

Great pics of fans. Shows what this event means to most people! Man Bevo was looking a little light that year!

G-man wrote:

Yep “SOME PEOPLE GET IT”, One of the best parts of the Moto D is rubbing elbows, sharing stories and beers with moto fans from all...

Yep “SOME PEOPLE GET IT”,

One of the best parts of the Moto D is rubbing elbows, sharing stories and beers with moto fans from all over the world even the ones that can’t speak English but the common denominator is the passion for Motocross and you’re Country you are rooting for. It’s a rare time when all the BS in the World with the wars and politics can be cast aside and it’s just one giant luv fest for moto.

These old Belgium dudes have not missed a Moto D race in 50 years!



My new Russian friend



Crazy Brits





The fans from New Zealand are some of the most hardcore fans in the world. I’m sure this same group will be in Italy. I will be looking for them in Colorado.



I’m lucky to have any hearing after hanging out with these folks! lol



Euro Sweetie



Tell this guy the Moto D is meaningless…..lol





This cat can ride—yes he had an off day just like anyone can.



I will never miss a MotoD on US soil—and neither should you if you are a REAL MOTOCROSS fan. Now STFU about a meaningless race and support OUR TEAM!

joe101uk wrote:

I'm getting goosebumps just reading MXdN posts and realising how close it is...then realising how long i'm going to be on the road to Franciacorta....bad times...

I'm getting goosebumps just reading MXdN posts and realising how close it is...then realising how long i'm going to be on the road to Franciacorta....bad times

Rupert X wrote:

The British team shouldn't have gone, in support of their manager. The Americans shouldn't have gone - in support of the British. I know, I'm probably...

The British team shouldn't have gone, in support of their manager.

The Americans shouldn't have gone - in support of the British.

I know, I'm probably the only one that feels this way, and that's okay.

The Motocross Des nations is and - will be ALWAYS be - HUGE - but

sometimes you have to stand up for what's right . And what's wrong.

Poker_Player wrote:

I am hoping to see more pics of Gman crashing other nations parties.

jamma10 wrote:

Motodave wrote: "Des Nations have Not really mattered for a while now...get ovr it.. Last time i believe they were important was back with bailey." RMZ819...

Motodave wrote: "Des Nations have Not really mattered for a while now...get ovr it.. Last time i believe they were important was back with bailey."


RMZ819 wrote: "When all is said and done the Nations is a EXHIBITION RACE. This race does not mean shit to anyone except the promoter. That promoter wins and every racer there is there for his benifit."


I keep reading posts like this and it makes me wonder why the MXdN is no longer held in high regard by Americans - Is it because the USA usually win? Is it because you don't get to watch it on TV? Because you're opinions are shaped by a few cynical voices within the American media? Or does it just seem as though there is greater apathy this year now the top riders are unable to go?


The aim of the MXdN is to win the Champerlain trophy and earn bragging rights as the best team in the world - an exhibition race it may be, but isn't all sport just an exhibition? All sport is pretty pointless in the greater scheme of things, AMA Nationals, Athletics, World Series Baseball, Premier League Football. Its just the latter all have more monetary credibility and financial reward. So what? How many kids swing their leg over a PW50 because of a financial incentive? These guys are paid handsomely already, they don't need the money. A great end of season finale The MXdN is about pride, the challenge of competing against unfamiliar riders and preserving an event steeped in the history of OUR sport.


People complain about how much it costs America to send a team. Simple, cut costs, don't send an army of minders and backroom staff who aren't really needed. Alot of the US expenditure comes from trying to inflate their superstar status each year. Compare the might of the US motocross economy with this, a facebook group set up to raise funds to help send NZ to the MXdN - they hope to raise a total budget of $20,000 - Josh Coppins and Ben Townley auctioning off old kit. And you guys think you have it tough? New Zealand MXDN Facebook


So if New Zealand (with an MX community that easily could fit inside an average size NFL field) are still prepared to to turn up and race on a shoestring, why is it not so important to Americans anymore? Maybe its because the new generation have grown up only ever watching the US win, the regular American GP round has been lost and the US National series has become a great series on its own. My guess is that an ever deepening divide between the series means that most of the riders involved are completely alien to US fans (which is true of 1/3 of the field even for GP followers - beleive me we don't know who some of the riders are either!!), plus the fact you guys have consistently had 2-3 exceptionally gifted riders for the past god knows how many years.


Yet when the MXdN came to Budds Creek it attracted a MASSIVE crowd, so whats the deal? Is it just as soon as its held abroad you lose interest?


Matthes mentions in his article that without Team USA the MXdN would lose some luster, that may be true as of course all of us 'Euros' love watching the Yanks ride (no matter what shit you read stating otherwise), but that goes for all AMA riders too; Chad Reed, Byrne, Metcalfe etc. We turn up in our droves to watch the best riders from all over the world. It just so happens that the USA are the team to beat, which is what possibly makes it less interesting from an American perspective. But what's intriguing however, is that outside of America the event hasn't been quite the cake walk everyone expected in recent years.


Could this year be the turning point, 'IF' America fail to win the trophy will it re-ignite America's interest?


I am literally counting down the hours until Sunday - For me this race is more exciting than the Olympic 100 metres final, The Football & Rugby world cup finals, Jenson Button winning the F1 world championship and getting laid all rolled into one. Ok maybe not the getting laid bit.


I know, I know... STFU right?

Rupert X wrote:

The British team shouldn't have gone, in support of their manager. The Americans shouldn't have gone - in support of the British. I know, I'm probably...

The British team shouldn't have gone, in support of their manager.

The Americans shouldn't have gone - in support of the British.

I know, I'm probably the only one that feels this way, and that's okay.

The Motocross Des nations is and - will be ALWAYS be - HUGE - but

sometimes you have to stand up for what's right . And what's wrong.

Xavier wrote:

You're NOT the only one to think that way. And FTE's analyse is (of course) perfect. On the business & moral sides, MXDN is a f%/#d...

You're NOT the only one to think that way.

And FTE's analyse is (of course) perfect.

On the business & moral sides, MXDN is a f%/#d up deal.

On the sports side, it remains a great Event.

Trip wrote:

I haven't cared about the des Nations race since Travis went. Plenty of our top guys haven't gone in the past, no big deal.. I still...

I haven't cared about the des Nations race since Travis went. Plenty of our top guys haven't gone in the past, no big deal.. I still haven't seen who the U.S. sponsor is, that can't be good.

Saying none of the riders need more money is stupid. All athletes look to get more money. Your putting your life on the line to race for free? Don't give me this "it's for your country" crap either. I think most mx fans don't care about the race. If there was huge interest in it, it would be on TV here.

btw, I'm 39...

Whitey wrote:

There is only a few people who dont seem to get how big it is, you should find out their age, that might answer why they...

There is only a few people who dont seem to get how big it is, you should find out their age, that might answer why they feel that way.

You just have to read the riders interviews that are going and how excited they are, and probably feeling the pressure a bit.

DirtyFilter75 wrote:

How many are in wheel chairs? How many are lucky to be walking when they retire? Name one other MAJOR sport where so many top athletes...

How many are in wheel chairs? How many are lucky to be walking when they retire? Name one other MAJOR sport where so many top athletes retire by 35? or even 30 sometimes?

jdbmx wrote:

More people die playing football, rugby every week than all motorsports put together

HansiKursch wrote:

The people who don't respect the MXDN are people who are spoiled, the USA wins them all. Even this year, I don't think there is any...

The people who don't respect the MXDN are people who are spoiled, the USA wins them all. Even this year, I don't think there is any question about who would win if Ricky unretired for a couple of weeks and Stewart was on the team. It's all taken for granted.

People who remember the struggles the older teams had to go through and how seriously it was taken by those riders are the people who appreciate the event. People from other countries appreciate the event, that is for sure. Only here in the USA are there a bunch of spoiled winners who have lost interest.

G-man wrote:

Dang Trip you REALLY ARE A DEBBIE DOWNER aren’t ya? [IMG]http://goldenrule.mlblogs.com/debbie_downer.jpg[/IMG] [b]“It’s a rare time when all the BS in the World with the wars and...

Dang Trip you REALLY ARE A DEBBIE DOWNER aren’t ya?




“It’s a rare time when all the BS in the World with the wars and politics can be cast aside and it’s just one giant luv fest for moto

Sounds good in a storybook, but we didn't go after September 11 now did we?? Guess it doesn't really cast aside whats going on in the real world now does it?”

Let ‘s see 9-11 happened to be the WORST ATTACK ON AMERICAN SOIL IN HISTORY, a lot of stuff happened in the following weeks that never took place before. No Air Traffic for a days and many canceled flights by worried travelers were just a few of them. So yes sending an American team overseas wasn’t in the Team’s best interest so they declined and I agree with that decision. You really got me on that one—good job!

Do you recall when the US team boycotted the Olympics over a disparity with Russia?

Yep so my statement is wrong for pessimists like you as I suppose if you ever went to a Moto D, you would find a way to discredit it along with talking about how bad the economy, politics etc are instead of enjoying an awesome event like no other in the world!


“Some are into it, some are not, I think the guys who are going on about not being a fan of moto if you don't like the MXdN are wrong though. I'm a huge fan and attend as many races as I can. Would I do that if I wasn't a fan? I just have no personal interest in the race and haven't for a long time. MC when he was killing it, didn't go to many of them either, so I guess that 2 of the 3 fastest Americans of all time are not fans of moto? Don't hold everyone to RC's level.”

MC never really liked doing the outdoors from the get-go as SX was easy for him and the outdoors was not. I would not consider him one of the “2 of the 3 fastest Americans of all time:” outside a stadium. You’re theory doesn’t hold water, besides both him and James have been to TWO MotoD’s if my memory is correct.

“Maybe if they picked riders with some personality, I might be a little intrested. Picking vanilla riders isn't the best way to boost support for the team.”

Hmmmmm pure idiocy if you ask me. So it should be a personality contest vs talent huh? In that case Travis Preston, David Pingree and Guy Cooper should be at the top of you’re list. Great guys and riders but not ideal Moto D candidates imo. RC was never known for his bubbling personality, neither was the workhorse Jeff Stanton or the stuck-up Jeff Ward, but as far as their Moto D stature they are at the top. Stanton literally carried the team on his back a few yrs and I witnessed one in Holland I will never forget!


“If James wanted to go, he would be there, he has had all summer off to get ready. If the race meant anything to him, he would go. So if the best rider in the world, doesn't care about the race, then I guess he isn't a fan of moto either?”

James did the right thing, he didn’t do the nationals and didn’t deserve to go, and take a spot from a guy who busted his ass all summer.

The comparisons to an All Star game or exhibition make me laugh as well—you guys are joking right?

The NFL Pro Bowl is an absolute joke and everyone knows it they are just there for a good time, nobody really cares too much about winning, same thing with the NBA All Star game. The MLB All Star game just recently change the rules to TRY to put some relevancy in it but really it’s just a showcase of overpaid prima-donnas

When you get riders who aren’t getting paid to represent their Country and risk life and limb and most have no chance of winning but are glad to be there that is not an exhibition to me. It means these riders have heart and are proud—money and fame take a backseat at this event.


I do have a question for all the Moto D naysayers.
HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN TO ONE?

My feeling is none—because if you did you would have a different perspective and if not then you need to check you’re pulse.

GO TEAM USA—I AM BEHIND THEM 100%!

jdbmx wrote:

More people die playing football, rugby every week than all motorsports put together

Shenzi wrote:

wow, really! Is it because there is 100,00,000 trillions more people playing rugby and footy than people practicing motorsports?