Profiles for the 2007 Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations

 

TEAM USA

The American squad, having Ricky Carmichael (1), Ryan Villopoto (2) and Tim Ferry (3), is currently the most successful team in the 60 years of history of the Motocross of Nations. They have won the Chamberlain Trophy 17 times, the last of which was last year at Matterley Basin, and they hope to bring their tally to 18 this year, for the event’s comeback to America after a 20 year absence –the last American edition of the MXoN was held at Unadilla in 1987.

A semi-retired Ricky Carmichael will make his final appearance at the Nations, after having won 10 AMA Motocross titles and 5 AMA Supercross titles one World Supercross Title. This year he took part in selected events, making it to his 150th career victory, but last year he had to sit out of the Motocross of Nations due to a left shoulder injury. RC will try his hardest to steer the RM-Z450 of Team Makita Suzuki to victory in both his heats, as he did in his latest appearance at the event back in 2005 (Ernée).

Youngster Ryan Villopoto will be at his second consecutive participation to the event, after his debut last year, which ended with a second and a third place in the heats. The 19 year old born in Fortuna, California, will be onboard a Kawasaki KX 250 F of Team Pro Circuit, with which he has won this year’s AMA Motocross Lites Championship and AMA Supercross Lites West Championship.

Team Ferry will be the third man in the American squad, which lost James Stewart after an unexpected knee injury. Ferry experienced a satisfying year in the AMA Motocross class, coming back to the overall victory at Washougal after a six year long absence, and hopes to continue his successful streak at his second participation in the Motocross of Nations –the first was Zolder 2003.

Roger De Coster has been coaching the US team since he moved permanently to America. The five time Motocross World Champion in the 500cc class and four time Trans AMA Champion knows what the event is all about, as he won the Chamberlain Trophy with Team Belgium six times.

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): winner; James Stewart, Ryan Villopoto, Ivan Tedesco

Links: AMA-American Motorcyclist Association

TEAM BELGIUM

Belgium is another strong team, having won the event 14 times and having finished on the podium 50 times out of the 60 editions which have been held so far. Experienced Joel Smets will coach an almost brand new squad, made of regular GP riders Steve Ramon (4) and Ken De Dycker (6), and newcomer Jeremy Van Horebeek (5).

2007 MX1 FIM Motocross World Champion Steve Ramon is all set on this event, which will mark his sixth appearance with Team Belgium. At the Nations Ramon has won the trophy twice (2003, 2004), and has a tally of four individual victories, on which he hopes to improve at Budds Creek, onboard the RM-Z450 of Suzuki team.

17 year old Jeremy Van Horebeek just completed his maiden season in the MX2 World Championship, and will enter the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations as the replacement rider for Kevin Strijbos. “The Jerre” is not afraid of his first participation in the event, where he hopes to give a big hand to his countrymen.

Ken De Dycker will wear the jersey of Team Belgium for the first time in his life; Ken’s size -he is one of the biggest Motocross riders in the field, with a weight of 90 kilos and an eight of 1,91 metres- gives him an incredible advantage in steering the CRF 450 of the CAS Honda Team.

Joel Smets is finally the team manager of the Belgian team, after having helped former team head Joel Robert last year. As a rider, Smets took part in the event for seven times, and won three times (1995, 1997, 2003), but has not celebrated a victory as team manager yet.

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 2nd; Stefan Everts, Kevin Strijbos, Steve Ramon

Links: Team Belgium; FMB-Fédération Motocycliste Belge

TEAM NEW ZEALAND

With Joshua Coppins’ injury, the New Zealand squad has lost one of their major players, who will be replaced by Daryl Hurley (9). The rest of the team, which last year repeated their best results of third from 2001, will be made of Ben Townley (8) and Cody Cooper (7).

Cody Cooper, who debuted in the MXoN at Ernée 2005, made his name well known in 2003, when he beat Darryll King in the National MX2 Championship and conquered his maiden crown. After that, he won several National titles, but he injured himself at the beginning of this season, finishing fourth overall in the National Championship -Open class, and third overall at the Australian Championship. As a warm up for the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations, he raced the final two rounds of AMA Motocross –Open class, finishing inside the top ten in three of the four heats –one dnf at Glen Helen.

This year Benjamin Townley has finally made up for the unlucky beginning to his career in the AMA Motocross and Supercross racing. Former MX2 World Champion Townley, who injured himself several times since he moved to Tallahassee (Florida) at the end of 2005, has won this year’s AMA Supercross Lites East Championship and finished runner up in the AMA Motocross Lites Championship.

Daryl Hurley has won several National titles, and has a broad racing experience in Australasia, US and Europe. He was the 125cc rider of Team New Zealand when the squad finished third at the 2001 Motocross of Nations, but missed several calls because of injuries. Hurley was injured both in 2005 and 2006, allowing the position to open up to Cody Cooper. Recently the 31 year old Kiwi won the Australian Motocross Title in 2005, but failed to defend it in the two following years because of injuries.

Team head Russell Burling has a strong passion for Motocross, which was the reason why he moved to Europe in the 70s, working as a GP motocross mechanic for the Suzuki factory team. Burling is currently the managing director of SsangYong New Zealand.

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 3rd; Joshua Coppins, Ben Townley, Cody Cooper

Links: MNZ-Motorcycling New Zealand

TEAM ITALY

The Italian Team, who last year finished fourth behind New Zealand by just two points, will see David Philippaerts (10), Antonio Cairoli (11) and Davide Guarneri (12) together in the battle for the Chamberlain Trophy. All riders have won GP’s this year.

David Philippaerts, who raced the MX1 class in 2006 after a full season in the MX2 class, is now an experienced MX1 rider, after his maiden season in the category. Philippaerts, who won one Grand Prix this year (Teutschenthal), will probably have the consistency he missed last year onboard the KTM 450 SX-F of factory Team KTM Red Bull.

Antonio Cairoli, who was the dominating winner of the 2007 FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship and managed to clinch also a MX1 GP victory in his first and only outing in the category, will try to repeat his fantastic victory of last year, in the heat mixing the MX2 and Open classes. Two time MX2 World Champion Cairoli has been in super-shape this season, but he has probably not finished to surprise yet.

Davide Guarneri will defend the Italian flag at the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations for the second time in his GP racing career, which started with the German GP in 2003; his debut at the Nations was in 2005 at Ernée, France. Guarneri, who has won his maiden GP this year at Namur, has proved to be a strong contender once he got rid of an early season injury.

Andrea Bartolini will be once again the team manager of the Italian team. Bartolini was the only Italian and the first with the 4 stroke Yamaha to have won a 500cc World Title, and has won also the Motocross of Nations with Team Italy back in 1999 and 2002, which was the last win of the Italian squad. He has not won a Chamberlain Trophy as team manager though.

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 4th; David Philippaerts, Antonio Cairoli, Cristian Beggi

Links: FMI-Federazione Motociclistica Italiana

TEAM FRANCE

Team France has almost a brand new team, where only Sebastien Pourcel (13) has previous experience in the event. Nicolas Aubin (14) and Pierre Alexandre Renet (15) are both at their first Motocross of Nations, while 2006 MX2 World Champ Christophe Pourcel and David Vuillemin will sit out of the event because of their recent injuries. The latest victory of the French Team was in 2001 in Belgium.

Like Italian David Philippaerts, Sebastien Pourcel had a ride in the MX1 class last year, but he will be riding stronger this year after having finished a successful maiden season in the category. The 22 year old born in Martigues ended the Championship in fourth place, winning also two Grand Prix’s (Faenza and Namur).

Nicolas Aubin just completed his first season in a top team, Ricci Racing, and did not disappoint; he finished sixth in the points standings, and won his maiden Grand Prix (Loket) in front of Cairoli. Aubin, who will replace Christophe Pourcel, has never raced a Motocross of Nations before, but he is looking forward to a successful debut.

After David Vuillemin’s injury, 23 year old Pierre Alexandre Renet has been chosen as the Open class rider for the French Team. Renet, who moved up to the MX1 class this year, ended the season with an optimistic seventeenth place, which was also his best World Championship finish since his debut in 2005.

Team Manager Olivier Robert is an expert eye in Motocross. Former Grand Prix racer Robert has been working with the FFM-French Motorcycle Federation for more than 10 years, and has always been ready to help young guns.

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 5th; Sebastien Pourcel, Christophe Pourcel, Yves Demaria

Links: FFM-Fédération Française de Motocyclisme

TEAM GREAT BRITAIN

The second “winningest” Motocross of Nations team after USA, Great Britain has owned the trophy 16 times, the last of which was 1994. The team has also won the first Motocross of Nations back in 1947. Billy Mackenzie (16), Tommy Searle (17) and James Noble (18) will be this year’s rider.

This is the fourth consecutive Motocross of Nations for Scottish Billy Mackenzie, who was in the Great Britain team in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The 23 year old born in Edinburgh has just finished his first MX1 season, where he gathered a lot of experience, winning one GP (Sugo) and clocking one pole position (Namur).  Everyone remembers the laps of last year’s event where he led Stefan Everts and James Stewart, sending the home ground wild.

Tommy Searle ended his second Motocross World Championship season in second place behind Cairoli, and was also capable of winning his maiden GP (Donington). With a total of 10 podiums, Searle has shown an incredible consistency and will be trying harder at this second participation in the Nations, the first having been at Matterley Basin last year.

James Noble looks forward to this event, as he classes riding for his country as his best Motocross memory. Noble’s strongest asset is consistency; he missed the points only three times in the 30 moto’s of this year’s Motocross World Championship, where he has worked his way up to an eventual eleventh place.

Former racer Mark Eastwood will replace Rob Herring in his first appearance as Team Manager of Great Britain. Eastwood has plenty of experience, and was in the podium finishing Great Britain team back in 1997.

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 6th; Billy Mackenzie, Tommy Searle, Carl Nunn

Links: ACU- Auto-Cycle Union

TEAM SOUTH AFRICA

After GP winner Tyla Rattray’s knee injury, the South African squad underwent some changes, and the final line-up will be made by Grant Langston (19), Gareth Swanepoel (20) and Wyatt Avis (21). South Africa has entered the top five several times, but was never on the podium.

25 year old Grant Langston comes from Durban, and has won in Motocross, SuperMoto and Supercross during his professional career, which started in 1998. In 2000 Langston won the 125cc Motocross World Title, and clinched victory also in the 125cc class at the Motocross of Nations. Three years later he won both the SuperMoto Unlimited Championship and the AMA Motocross Championship in the 125cc class. This year he has just won the AMA Motocross Nationals.

Gareth Swanepoel, who debuted in the Nations in 2001, will be back in the saddle after his best season in the FIM Motocross World Championship, where he conquered a hard fought fifth place in the MX2 class at the very last round (Lierop). Swanepoel, who clinched his maiden GP podium at this season opener (Valkenswaard), looks forward to repeat the team’s best result of the millennium, which was the fifth place of 2004 (Lierop). That year team South Africa finished tied in points (41) with fourth placed Estonia and third placed France.

Wyatt Avis, who moved from home Durban to Europe in 2000 after having won many National Junior Championships, was also part of the successful 2004 Team South Africa. Avis wants to make up for a troubled MX2 World Championship season, where had to recover from knee surgery and eventually injured his hand, with a good result at the Nations. The 23 year old missed the event in 2005 because of a knee injury, and this will be his second MXoN in a row.

Three time Motocross World Champion Greg Albertyn will lead the South African squad as Team Manager. Like most of his countrymen, also Albertyn moved to Europe in his teens, and eventually ended his career in the US, clinching one AMA 250cc Motocross Title in 1999 despite the many injuries he suffered in the States.

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 7th; Neville Bradshaw, Tyla Rattray, Wyatt Avis

Links: Team South Africa; MSA - Motorsport South Africa

TEAM SPAIN

For the forthcoming Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations, Spain will confirm the same team as last year, with Jonathan Barragan (22), Carlos Campano (23) and Alvaro Lozano (24).

22 year old Jonathan Barragan, who is a KTM full factory rider in the MX1 Motocross World Championship, has been a regular top ten rider in the MX1 class for the last three years. In 2007 he collected the first GP heat win of his career at Valkenswaard, and also one more at Sevlievo.

Carlos Campano from Sevilla has just completed his fifth season in the FIM Motocross World Championship, switching from KTM to Yamaha and ending with an eventual 31st place because of an early season knee injury. The 23 year old has been part of the Spanish team for the last couple of years, and has won several National Championships, the last being the 2006 MX2 crown.

Alvaro Lozano, who will turn 27 the day after the Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations, raced the MX3 Motocross World Championship this year, ending with a satisfying fifth place. Lozano has a broad experience both in Motocross and Supercross, racing at high level in his National Championships; the Spaniard also raced some Motocross Grand Prix’s in 2003, 2005 and 2006, when he scored points at Bellpuig.

Rafael Valle will be the team manager of the Spanish squad; Valle is a former Motocross rider and has been heading the National team for almost ten years now.

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 8th; Jonathan Barragan, Carlos Campano, Alvaro Lozano

Links: RFME-Real Federacion Motociclista Española

TEAM ESTONIA

The Estonian team will have the two Leok cousins, Tanel (25) and Aigar (27), with young gun Gert Krestinov (26) rounding out the squad. The Estonians’ first participation in the Nations was back in 1993; since then, they have taken part in each edition of the event.

Tanel Leok is a successful MX1 Grand Prix rider, steering the factory Kawasaki Racing machine, and has won the 2000 (80cc class) and 2001 (125cc class) Junior World Championships. Tanel has been racing GP’s since 2001, when he impressed the paddock by qualifying at each of the events he entered. This year the “Estonian Express” was not consistent, but clinched five pole positions and three podiums, finishing eighth in the standings.

2007 was the first Motocross World Championship season for 17 year old Gert Krestinov from Tallin; the Estonian had a tough debut, injuring  himself at round five at Teutschenthal and coming back only at the penultimate of 15 rounds. Now Krestinov, who has been runner up in both the European and World MX2 Junior Championships, is all set on this maiden participation at the Nations.

Aigar Leok is back to action after a difficult maiden season in the MX1 class, where he injured himself four times. The Estonian from Voru has won the Dutch (2006), Belgian (2005) and German Motocross Championships in his career, but since his first GP in 2001, his best World Championship result was the 15th place from last year. This is his fifth participation in the chase for the Chamberlain Trophy.

Marc Lajal will be once again the team manager of the Estonian Team. Lajal was a former road and motocross racer.

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 9th; Tanel Leok, Aigar Leok, Juss Laansoo

Links: EMF-Estonian Motorcycling Federation 

TEAM AUSTRALIA

After the disappointing 11th place finish of last year, the Aussies will go back to this year’s Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations with a very strong squad, made of Chad Reed (31), Andrew McFarlane (32) and Michael Byrne (33).

Chad Reed is the most popular and successful Australian star. The San Manuel –Yamaha rider achieved his dream to become a supercross specialist in the US scene after making his first steps in the national series in Australia and then competing in the MXGPs for a season under the guidance of recently disappeared great tuner Jan De Groot. Once on the US ground Chad proved right away to have the speed to become one of the most important riders of the sport and, step by step reached, in 2004, the goal of becoming the 250cc 2-stroke SX class Champion. Since then Chad remained one of the top riders in the US series and while recently decided to race in supercross only he undoubtedly has generous speed in the outdoor scene as well.

Former long time top MXGP’s racer and long time MXoN participant Andrew McFarlane will join his friend Chad Reed in the mission of achieving one of the top spot in the final standings for Australia. Andrew as well moved to US where he spent the last two years with inconsistent results but his brilliant past in the GP’s scene makes him one of the most experienced rider in the sport.

Third member Michael Byrne is as well an “Aussie” in US. Michael will bring his precious knowledge to the group with his good speed and long experience in the American scene.

Team Australia’s manager will be Gary Benn, who, after a rich career in both Australian and International racing, became an expert mechanic, working both in MotoGP and Motocross.

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 11th; Daniel Reardon, Brett Metcalfe, Cheyne Boyd

Links: MA-Motorcycling Australia

TEAM JAPAN

The Japanese team’s first participation in the event was back in 1990. This year’s team is the same of 2003, when Japan finished sixth; this one was their best ranking.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Narita Akira
Number: 34
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 01/05/1980
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 450
Career highlights: 2002-2004 All Japan Motocross Champion MX1; 2005 AMA Supercross West 125cc, 24th place; 2006 All Japan Motocross Championship MX1, 2nd place

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Masuda Kazumasa
Number: 35
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 22/02/1980
Bike: HONDA CRF 250
Career highlights: 1998 All Japan Motocross Champion MX2; 2003 All Japan Motocross Championship MX1, 2nd place; 2005 All Japan Motocross Championship MX1, 3rd place

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Atsuta Yoshitaka
Number: 36
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 14/10/1977
Bike: HONDA CRF 450
Career highlights: 2002-2004, participation in the FIM Motocross World Championship (best finish 10th); 2004-2005, participation in the British Motocross Championship; 2006 All Japan Motocross Champion MX1

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Watanbe Seita 

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 12th; Akira Narita, Youhei Kojima, Yoshitaka Atsuta

Links: MFJ-Motorcycle Federation of Japan

TEAM GERMANY

Germany has taken part in the Nations for several times, but has never clinched the Chamberlain Trophy; the squad has taken several podiums, like the latest one from 1985 (Diepold, Lacher, Heutz).

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Nagl Maximilian
Number: 37
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 07/08/1987
Bike: KTM SX-F 450
Career highlights: 2004 and 2006, International German Champion; 2005, FIM Motocross World Championship MX2, 16th; 2006, FIM Motocross World Championship MX2, 20th

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Siegl Daniel
Number: 38
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 250

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Schiffer Marcus
Number: 39
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 28/07/1987
Bike: KTM SX-F 450
Career highlights: 2005, German Champion 125cc class; 2005, FIM Motocross World Championship, 37th place; 2006, FIM Motocross World Championship, 25th place

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Noack Olaf    

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 13th; Maximilian Nagl, Manuel Chittaro, Dennis Schröeter

Links: DMSB-Deutscher Motor Sport Bund e.V.

TEAM PORTUGAL

Team Portugal was 17 times at the event, but never performed better than eighth (both in 2001 and 2005).

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Goncalves Paulo
Number: 40
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 05/02/1979
Bike: HONDA CRF 450
Career highlights: several times National Champion in the 85cc, 125cc and 250cc classes

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Goncalves Rui
Number: 41
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 17/05/1985
Bike: KTM SX-F 250
Career highlights: 2006, FIM Motocross World Championship MX2, 7th place

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Rodrigues Joachim
Number: 42
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 06/12/1981
Bike: KTM SX-F 450
Career highlights: Several times National Champion in the 85cc and 125cc classes; Vice Champion in the UEM European Motocross Championship 85cc

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Bastos Hugo    

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 14th; Paulo Goncalves, Rui Goncalves, Henrique Venda

Links: FNM-Federaçao Nacional de Motociclismo

TEAM CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech team has won the Chamberlain Trophy one single time, back in 1975.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Cepelak Jiri
Number: 46
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 15/11/1978
Bike: KTM SX-F 450
Career highlights: 2002, FIM Motocross World Championship 250cc, 16th place

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Brabec Jan
Number: 47
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 23/06/1983
Bike: HONDA CRF 250
Career highlights: 2002, FIM Motocross World Championship 125cc, 30th place

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Kadlecek Michal
Number: 48
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 29/11/1975
Bike: HONDA CRF 450
Career highlights: 2003, FIM Motocross World Championship 500cc, 5th place

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Toman Josef

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 16th; Jan Zaremba, Filip Neugebauer, Martin Zerava

Links: ACCR-Autoklub of the Czech Republic

TEAM SWITZERLAND

After Julien Bill’s fantastic end to the FIM Motocross World Championship season, the Swiss squad is ready to improve on their 17th place from last year.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Bill Julien
Number: 49
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 02/05/1983
Bike: HONDA CRF 450
Career highlights: Several times National Champion in the 125cc and 250cc classes; 2005, FIM Motocross World Championship MX3, 3rd place

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Tonus Arnaud
Number: 50
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 17/06/1991
Bike: KTM SX-F 250
Career highlights: Several times National Champion in the Junior classes; 2006, one year of stop because of illness

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Ristori Marc
Number: 51
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 21/12/1981
Bike: HONDA CRF 450
Career highlights: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, National Champion Elite class; 2006, FIM Motocross World Championship MX3, 4th place

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Zeugin Marius

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 17th; Julien Bill, Walther Patrick, Marc Ristori

Links: Fédération Motocycliste Suisse

TEAM CANADA

This year’s team Canada is an interesting mix of two veteran riders and one of the country’s up and coming stars.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Roy Jean-Sebastien
Number: 52
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 450
Career highlights: Multi time Canadian National Champion

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Facciotto Colton
Number: 53
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 250
Career highlights: member of last year’s MXoN team Canada

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Morgan Blair
Number: 54
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 450
Career highlights: multi time Motocross and Snowcross Champion; he has led Team Canada with its top results at the Nations for the past four years

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Bastedo Carl

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 18th; Colton Facciotto, Marco Dube, Blair Morgan

Links: CMA-Canadian Motorcycle Association

TEAM SWEDEN

In their Motocross of Nations records, the Swedish have a total of six victories. The three riders in the team are all very young, and represent the future of the Swedish Motocross.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Wing Jonas
Number: 55
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 20/06/1985
Bike: KTM SX-F 450
Career highlights: 2002, Swedish Junior Champion 250cc; 2005, Swedish Champion MX2

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Karlsson Fredrik
Number: 56
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 03/10/1986
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 250
Career highlights: 2006, Swedish Motocross Championship MX2, 4th place

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Hultman Andreas
Number: 57
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 05/08/1986
Bike: HONDA CRF 450
Career highlights: 2006, Swedish Junior Championship MX2, 2nd place

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Brunzell Mikael

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 19th; Jonny Lindhe, Jonas Carlsson, Mats Nilsson 

Links: SVEMO-Svenska Motorcykel-och Snöskoterförbundet

TEAM LATVIA

Team Latvia entered the Motocross of Nations for the first time in 1992, and since then they have missed only the 1999 edition.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Kempelis Filips
Number: 73
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 09/11/1985
Bike: HONDA CRF 450
Career highlights: several times National Champion; 2007, FIM Motocross World Championship MX3, 32nd place

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Steinbergs Ivo
Number: 74
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 05/05/1986
Bike: HONDA CRF 250
Career highlights: National Champion in the 80cc, 125cc and Open classes; 2004, FIM Junior Motocross World Champion and UEM Junior Motocross World Champion 125cc class

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Freibergs Lauris
Number: 75
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 14/02/1981
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 450
Career highlights: seven times member of the MXoN team; several times National Champion; 2000, UEM-European Motocross Champion

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Germanis Ivo

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 5th in B-Final; Lauris Freibergs, Ivo Steinbergs, Aigars Bobkovs

Links: LaMSF-Latvian Motorcyclist Federation

TEAM HUNGARY

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Nemeth Kornel
Number: 76
Bike: SUZUKI RMZ 450

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Szvoboda Bence
Number: 77
Bike: KTM SX-F 250

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Czuni Laslo
Number: 78
Bike: HONDA CRF 450

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Cvick Istvan

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 7th in B-Final; Nemeth Kornel, Hujber Peter, Czuni Laszlo

Links: MAMS-Hungarian Motorcycle Sport Federation

TEAM GREECE

 

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Kouzis Panagiotis
Number: 79
Bike: KTM SX-F 450

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Panagiotopoulos Mihalis
Number: 80
Bike: KTM SX-F 250

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Papavasiliou Neccarios
Number: 81
Bike: KTM SX-F 450

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : N/A

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 8th in B-Final; Kouzis Panagiotis, Panagiotopoulos Michalis, Fotopoulos Christos

Links: ELPA-Automobile et Touring-Club de Grèce

TEAM CHILE

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Israel Jeremias
Number: 101
Bike: HONDA CRF 450

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Israel Vicente
Number: 102
Bike: HONDA CRF 250

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Israel Benjamin
Number: 103
Bike: HONDA CRF 450

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Andris Kelly

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): /

Links: FMC-Federacion de Motociclismo de Chile

TEAM PUERTO RICO

The Puerto Rico team will take part in the Motocross of Nations for the first time this year; in this occasion they will present a special line-up, with one woman racer, Tarah Gieger, who will be the first woman to race the Motocross of Nations.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Aponte Gino
Number: 104
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 450
Career highlights: 2003-2005 National Champion in the 125cc and 250cc classes

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Gieger Tarah
Number: 105
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 250
Career highlights: 2006 WMA series, third overall; 2006 Loretta Lynns Amateurs, first

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Santiago Cesar
Number: 106
Bike: HONDA CRF 450

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Catala Gabriel

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): /

Links: FMPR-Federacion de Motociclismo de Puerto Rico

TEAM GUATEMALA

Team Guatemala will race their third Motocross of Nations this year; the squad was made with the riders having the best International experience, and the goal of the team is being the best placed Latin-American Team.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Medrano Antonio
Number: 107
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 450
Career highlights: Several times National Champion in different classes

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Gandara Gerardo
Number: 108
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 31/12/1975
Bike: KTM SX-F 250
Career highlights: 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2002 National Champion

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Rodriguez Fabian
Number: 109
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 04/06/1983
Bike: HONDA CRF 450
Career highlights: Five time National Champion; two times at the Motocross of Nations

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Morales Ovidio

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): /

Links: FNMG-Federacion Nacional de Motociclismo de Guatemala

TEAM ICELAND

Team Iceland is looking forward to this first participation in the Motocross of Nations.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Thordarson Valdimar
Number: 110
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 27/071984
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 450
Career highlights: 2006, Iceland National Championship MX1, second

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Omarsson Aron
Number: 111
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 19/03/1988
Bike: KTM SX-F 250
Career highlights: National Championships 85cc and 125cc Youth, second; 2007, National Championship MX1, third

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Sigurdarson Einar
Number: 112
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 03/09/1973
Bike: KTM SX-F 505
Career highlights: Several times National Enduro Champion

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Asgeirsson Hakon

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): /

TEAM IRELAND

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Morton Tommy
Number: 113
Bike: HONDA CRF 450

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Barr Martin
Number: 114
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 03/09/1987
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 250
Career highlights: 2005, youngest ever winner of Adult Ulster Championship; 2005, maiden participation in the Motocross of Nations

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Garrett Wayne
Number: 115
Date of birth (D/M/Y): aged 20
Bike: KTM SX-F 450
Career highlights: First time at the Motocross of Nations this year

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Russell Stephen

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): 12th B-Final; Gordon Crockard, Martin Barr, McCullough Philip

TEAM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Dominican Republic is one of the teams entering their first Motocross of Nations. For this event the team has been preparing for six months now.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Rojas Henry
Number: 116
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 27/02/1991
Bike: SUZUKI RM-Z 450
Career highlights: Racing in the Unites States

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Morin Luis
Number: 117
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 07/10/1990
Bike: HONDA CRF 250
Career highlights: several times second in the National series

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Toribio Pablo
Number: 118
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 27/02/1968
Bike: HONDA CRF 450
Career highlights: Pro rider in the United States; National Champion

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Caba Aiban

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): /

TEAM COSTA RICA

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Chakon David
Number: 119
Bike: KAWASAKI KXF 450

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Castro Roberto
Number: 120
Bike: KAWASAKI KXF 250

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Mora Johan
Number: 121
Bike: KAWASAKI KXF 450

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Akin Chuck

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): /

TEAM BULGARIA

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Kumanov Nikolay
Number: 122
Bike: KAWASAKI KXF 450

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Kolev Nikoly
Number: 123
Bike: SUZUKI RMZ 450

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Tonchev Rosen
Number: 124
Bike: KTM SX-F 450

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Kumanov Kuman

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): /

Links : BMF- Bulgarian Motorcycle Federation

TEAM ECUADOR

Ecuador is taking part to the Motocross of Nations for the first time in their history.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Benenaula Andres
Number: 125
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 01/01/1991
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 450
Career highlights: Participation in several National Championship, collecting top five finishes

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Davalos Martin
Number: 126
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 15/01/1987
Bike: KTM SX-F 250
Career highlights: Broad experience in Motocross and Supercross

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Salazar Jetro
Number: 127
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 20/08/1991
Bike: KAWASAKI KXF 450
Career highlights: Several times Latin American Champion

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Malo Andres

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): /

Links : FEM-Federacion Ecuatoriana de Motociclismo

TEAM UKRAINE

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Onypchenko Sergiy
Number: 128
Bike: HONDA CRF 450

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Paschynskiy Oleksandr
Number: 129
Bike: KTM SX-F 250

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Morozov Roman
Number: 130
Bike: KTM SX-F 450

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Paschynskiy Sergiy

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): /

TEAM VENEZUELA

Venezuela has taken part in the Motocross of Nations three times already.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Sandoval Michel
Number: 131
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 17/10/1977
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 450
Career highlights: National Championship, three time champion; Latin American Championship, three time vice champion

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Martin Humberto
Number: 132
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 20/10/1987
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 250
Career highlights: National Championship, 11 time champion; Latin American Championship, two time champion

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Macia Fernando
Number: 133
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 07/09/1973
Bike: YAMAHA YZF 450
Career highlights: National Championship MX1, four time champion; National Championship MX2, two time champion; Latin American Championship, two time champion

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Sorondo Ramon

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): /

Links : FMV-Federacion Motociclista Venezolana

TEAM MEXICO

Mexico is taking part in the Motocross of Nations for their first time.

MX1 RIDER

Name and first name: Vallejo Erick
Number: 134
Bike: HONDA CRF 450

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Collins Juan Hector
Number: 135
Bike: HONDA CRF 250

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Jurado Ricky
Number: 136
Bike: HONDA CRF 450

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Espania Nicolas; Belesia Danielle

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): /

Links : FMM-Federacion Mexicana de Motociclismo A.C.

TEAM BRAZIL

Brazil took part in the Motocross of Nations from 1997 to 2001.

Number: 137
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 20/04/1989
Bike: HONDA CRF 450
Career highlights: Brazilian and San Paulo State Championship, several times runner up

MX2 RIDER

Name and first name: Nunes Da Silva Leandro
Number: 138
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 08/05/1988
Bike: HONDA CRF 250
Career highlights: Several times National Champion in MX1, MX2 and Supercross

OPEN CLASS RIDER

Name and first name: Jorge Balbi Junior Antonio
Number: 139
Date of birth (D/M/Y): 09/06/1981
Bike: HONDA CRF 450
Career highlights: Several times National and San Paulo State Champion in the 250cc class; 2006, participation in the FIM Motocross World Championship; 2006, participation in the AMA Motocross Championship

TEAM MANAGER (name and first name) : Greco Adilson

Last year’s result and team (MX1/MX2/Open): /

Links : CBM-Confederaçao Brasileira de Motociclismo  

Revised on the 2007 RED BULL FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS-ENTRY LIST UPDATE 2

Info on the event can be found in the Official Guide of the FIM Motocross World Championship. To download it directly click here.

LINKS
FIM
AMA-American Motorcyclist Association
Budds Creek
Red Bull

Information, photos and results are online at www.motocrossMX1.com, the official website of the FIM Motocross World Championships.

Fans worldwide can watch this and every race of the 2007 FIM Motocross & Supermoto World Championships live and on-demand exclusively on The Moto Channel on MediaZone (www.MediaZone.com/moto). MediaZone is a leading global online broadcaster specialized in sports, entertainment and international programming.

Youthstream is the company that manages the exclusive television, marketing and promotional world wide rights of the FIM Motocross World Championship, the FIM Motocross of Nations, the FIM SuperMoto World Championship, the FIM SuperMoto of Nations, the FIM Snowcross World Championship, the UEM Motocross European Championship and the UEM SuperMoto European Championship.
www.MotocrossMX1.com