MOTOCROSS
FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS
SEPTEMBER 24-25, 2016
MAGGIORA PARK / MAGGIORA, ITALY
P56
ever, he was deemed to have a
concussion and that is some-
thing the medical crew really
take seriously, so was taken to
the local medical center for more
check-ups, of course ruling him
out of the third moto. It was such
a horrible sight and one that no-
body could really put into words
what they had just seen, be-
noise and twisted the throttle, but
it was too late as Notsuka's right
foot slammed into Anderson's
helmet and shoulder.
Medics and track crew rushed
to his aid immediately and,
although he seemed to go limp
for a couple of seconds, he did
retain consciousness quickly
and was physically okay. How-
down his American opponent.
Paulin put aside his disappoint-
ing 2015 campaign to get up to
third place after passing Arnaud
Tonus. The Swiss rider, Tonus,
was on a 450 and did a really
good job of putting himself in the
shop window as he searches for
a 450 contract on either side of
the Atlantic.
However, all eyes were at
the front of the race as Herlings
swiftly closed the gap on Ander-
son. But just as it seemed he
was about to strike, the Dutch
MX2 World Champion spun out
and had to pick the bike off the
ground. He remounted still in
second place but any chance
of the win was gone, and all
Anderson had to do now was
take the checkered flag and end
America's streak of 13 races
without a win.
As he coasted to the line, way
ahead of Herlings, he saluted his
pit-lane crew and swept around
the last corner, slowing down to
roll over the finish line jump. It's
not the first time a winner has
rolled the finish line jump but all
the assembled photographers
were hoping for a little more
exuberance after such an impres-
sive ride. Unfortunately Japanese
rider Chihiro Notsuka was also
expecting him to do the finish
line jump "normally" and only
realized he hadn't when he was
10 feet in the air, looking down
at the celebrating Anderson. In a
split second, Anderson heard the
Alex Martin rode well for Team USA.
He finished second in the MX2 class.
