Previewing Motocross of Nations' Teams | One

Crawfordsville, Indiana, will become motocross' nucleus this weekend, as a sea of airhorns and foot traffic will descend upon Ironman Raceway. The 2025 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations is one clouded in drama; injuries and withdrawals have prompted a majority of nations to field secondary teams. "Where is he?" has been uttered more often than "who will win?" in anticipation of the event.

Team Australia has been robust and remained steadfast in the face of controversy, as their initial squad has been untouched. The USA is in tatters, The Netherlands is missing their best rider, Spain lacks input from Jorge Prado, France needs Tom Vialle, Germany is hindered by Max Nagl's sickness, Great Britain needs Ben Watson and the list rolls on.

Australia

A team that needs little introduction. Jett Lawrence is superb and will almost certainly win the individual motos; Australia should receive no more than five points from their superhero. Hunter Lawrence, overshadowed by his brother, is arguably more reliable than any other 450F star on track, and so there is almost no need to debate the potential of Australia's leaders. The focus will be placed on their MX2 rider, Kyle Webster, who rose to the task with aplomb just one year ago.

Webster is Australia's ProMX champion, despite being less dominant than last year, and again impressed in Pro Motocross wildcard appearances. Consider that this is a track that he, as well as Honda HRC Progressive, are so familiar with and there is just cause to state that he is better positioned than he was heading into Matterley Basin. Webster scored eleventh in a moto last year but should be able to finish around seventh in the MX2/Open moto on this occasion (remember that this is a weaker field). 

Verdict: Australia will, in my opinion, have a sub-twenty-point total.

USA

Understandably, fans may be subdued when pondering the United States' lineup after losing both Haiden Deegan and Chase Sexton. Justin Cooper and RJ Hampshire are capable replacements though; it's arguably the best-case scenario after the mountains of drama. Eli Tomac is a known commodity and, whilst his Pro Motocross season lacked some consistency and oomph, he will rise to the occasion; he should bank a total lower than seven. If, for some bizarre reason, the USA must drop Tomac's score, then the team will be in disarray.

Despite the fact that he has not raced a YZ250F in years, I have some faith in Justin Cooper and his potential. It is fair to presume that he'll be rock solid, yet unspectacular, but that's exactly what a nation needs from the MX2 rider. Hampshire should be equally reliable, now that the FC 450 has shed his inconsistent reputation. There isn't really a weakness here, which is impressive considering how tumultuous the path to Ironman has been. It's not as bleak as that would make it seem.

Verdict: Not the favorites, no, but this could still be a winning team.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands would be the event favorites had they picked Jeffrey Herlings, as he is one of the few who could have battled with Jett Lawrence. However, to the disappointment of those at home, the five-time champion will watch from the couch. There are countless different theories behind his omission; the timing of his mid-season injury, other commitments, his rumored departure from KTM and so on. The sport is united in sharing the opinion that the Dutch should have found a way to lure him into competition.  

Glenn Coldenhoff, Kay de Wolf and Calvin Vlaanderen will represent The Netherlands. It's a team that a majority of nations would be envious of, but the knowledge that 'more' was possible has left tongues wagging. Coldenhoff rises to the occasion at the MXoN, but his recent run of form – outside of the top seven at the last three events – is cause for concern. Vlaanderen is rock solid yet unspectacular and de Wolf, with Team USA's issues, is a clear favorite to win the MX2 class.

Verdict: A rock-solid team that will scratch and claw its way to third.

France

Three full-factory riders, two world champions and one fiery rookie. Team France seems as capable as ever, yet this is a team that pales in comparison to lineups from past seasons. Romain Febvre's said that "he does not care" about the MXoN after an emotionally draining championship in MXGP but will be as effective as ever when the race launches. Maxime Renaux's wounded and extremely unhappy with his YZ450FM – he is trying to break his contract – so it's unlikely that he will be at his best. It's also been 29 weeks since his last trophy!

Tom Vialle will be sorely missed. Mathis Valin is rather capable, and will become a Team France mainstay with time, but he is unpredictable and not as brilliant as Vialle. The loss that France has suffered cannot be understated. Febvre and Renaux should end up top three in their respective classes, but Valin is likely to be outside of the top six in MX2 (although Vialle was last year as well). That's where France will lose a lot of points and lose out on a trophy. 

Verdict: Romain's interest level will either save or sink Team France.

Germany

Thirteen years have passed since Germany last won the MXoN. Whilst another gold is almost out of the question, the team can enter Ironman with podium aspirations. Ken Roczen's been clear that he's not as ready as he was in 2023, when he won the individual MXGP class, but will turn up when it counts. Some of the 'load' should come off Roczen, but Simon Längenfelder has never performed at this event; he has finished in the top ten in just one of the ten motos that he has done for his nation. Will he prove a point as the MX2 champion?

Maximilian Spies (Open) will represent Team Germany for the first time. Now, he was typically beaten by Max Nagl in the ADAC MX Masters – Nagl was second with six victories, Spies third with two – and so most would favor the veteran. Health issues have ruled him out and opened the door for Spies, who did not finish in the top thirteen in his five MXGP appearances in 2025. It's likely that he will finish either ninth or tenth in Open – there are nine riders in that class who should beat him with ease.

Verdict: Simon Längenfelder's competitiveness will be a pivotal tale.

Belgium

Numbers in the forties don't reflect Team Belgium's potential – it's possible that the nation could be the best out of Europe. Lucas Coenen will be more motivated than anyone to prove a point after his MXGP loss, plus he will want to reinforce his potential amongst the American industry. Coenen is arguably more of a focal point than the MXGP champion, Febvre, because of the various narratives that surround him. There is so much at play. A pair of thirds would help Belgium establish an early advantage too.

As time has worn on, Belgium's potential has really grown. Sacha Coenen has become a consistent force in the MX2 class in the second half of 2025: he finished in the top four at each of the last ten rounds and debunked the idea that he'll never be reliable. Liam Everts (Open) has been anonymous since he returned from his sacral injury in July, but he is consistent and a safe pick for the nation. It's certain that he will not make any major errors and cost his nation points.

Verdict: Lucas Coenen could be the star of the Motocross of Nations.