Team Suzuki Strong in 'Nations Qualifying

The qualification heats for the 62nd edition of the Motocross of Nations saw Suzuki riders Ken De Dycker, Steve Ramon, Chad Reed and Cody Cooper all ride well individually to ensure their respective teams qualified for tomorrow's main event.

Held under sunny skies at Donington Park in Great Britain, the qualification heats threw up few surprises but thrilled the massive crowds who came to watch the world's most important motocross race.

Riding in the premier MX1 class for Team Belgium, De Dycker acquitted himself well on the technical and slippery Donington Park circuit to finish a fine third place just 12 seconds behind the winner James Stewart. Looking super comfortable on his factory RM-Z450 he made many new fans with his exciting riding style that saw him whipping his bike almost upside down on the finish line jump.

"There was no pressure today and I had a lot of fun in my race," said De Dycker. "This event - the Motocross of Nations - is not part of a championship, it's just a one day contest and I think if I relax and enjoy the races then good results will come.

"The track is good fun to ride and it's getting better all the time as more bumps and ruts form. It's more difficult than it was at the Grand Prix here last year and that's better for me - there are more places to pass and more places to make up some time on the opposition."

Australia's Chad Reed was also a contender in the MX1 heat although an early crash kept the reigning AMA Supercross Champion - who was making his international race debut on an RM-Z450 - from threatening for the race win. Finally crossing the line in 10th he was pumped with his first race on a Suzuki in 10 years.

"This is my first race in 10 years for Suzuki and it went well as far as my riding was going but I had a small crash which made my moto a little bit more eventful," said Reed. "Overall I had a good feeling with the bike and I was happy to get out there and brush the cobwebs off - it's been five months since I last raced.

"I'm looking forward to racing tomorrow too; Team Australia qualified well today and that means we'll get a great gate pick - hopefully we'll be able to turn that into good starts and run at the front of the pack. Australia's best result at this race was fourth and that was way back in 1986 - that was a long time ago and it's time we stepped it up."

In the Open class heat New Zealand teamster Cody Cooper took an impressive start-to-finish win. Looking at ease on both his bike and the Donington Park circuit his win ensured that the New Zealand team qualified for tomorrow's main event with ease.

"I got a great start - my technique is real good on this type of dirt - and after that I just went as hard as I could," said Cooper. "I got a little bit tired at the end but that's what happens when you have a little break from racing as I have. I'm really happy to have won my heat especially because I've beaten some really good riders - I got a good rhythm and had a lot of fun out there today."

Teka Suzuki WMX1 rider Ramon was also contesting the Open class heat. With much less practice for the riders than normal he struggled to find a good set up with his race machine in his initial practice session on the circuit but after progressing through the pack to finish fifth in the race he feels confident that he knows what changes to make to his factory RM-Z450 to ensure he's more competitive in tomorrow's two mixed capacity motos.

"We only had one short practice and I didn't have time to find a good set up with the bike," said Ramon. "I wasn't riding too well and I was struggling to turn and I was finding it difficult to push hard because I was making so many mistakes. I decided to ride safe because I didn't want to crash.

"I know what changes I need to make to the bike, tomorrow's another day and it should be much better. It's going to be a tough day tomorrow, I'm in the Open class which means I have to race the second and third moto and there's not a lot of time to rest between the motos. Hopefully tomorrow I'll ride much better and then I can maybe win my class and the Belgian team can stand on the podium."

Motocross of Nations Qualifying results:

Open class: 1 Cody Cooper, NZL (Suzuki), 2 Zach Osborne, PUR (Yamaha) 3 Michael Byrne, USA (Suzuki), 4 Alex Salvini, ITA (Suzuki), 5 Steve Ramon, BEL (Suzuki).

MX1 class: 1 James Stewart, USA (Kawasaki), 2 Sebastien Pourcel, FRA (Kawasaki), 3 Ken De Dycker, BEL (Suzuki), 4 David Philippaerts, ITA (Yamaha), 5 Tanel Leok, EST (Kawasaki).

MX2 class: Ryan Villopoto, USA (Kawasaki), 2 Brett Melcalfe, AUS (Kawasaki), 3 Anthony Boissiere, FRA (KTM), 4 Tyler Rattray, RSA (KTM), 5 Tommy Searle, GBR (KTM).