MOTOCROSS
FIM MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS
SEPTEMBER 24-25, 2016
MAGGIORA PARK / MAGGIORA, ITALY
P60
Dutch were celebrating like they
had won it; the French were
celebrating because they had
won it, while the Americans and
Cooper Webb were all disconso-
late because they knew that they
had lost it.
The difference in emotions
on the podium was stark.
Webb wearing sunglasses in
an attempt to hide his obvious
disappointment at how close
they'd come to victory. In the
press conference afterwards, he
shouldered the blame but said
he would come back stronger
and more motivated in future
events. Which is a scary thought
for all his rivals as the youngster
steps-up full-time to the 450
class in 2017.
For the Dutch, they had mixed
emotions. They were obviously
delighted to be on the podium,
something they haven't done
since 2004. However that was
tempered by the fact that they
came so close to winning, miss-
ing out by just one single point
and with a young team and a
possible home MXoN in 2018 at
Assen, these guys will have plen-
ty of opportunities in the future
and will be one of the favorites
for many years to come.
As for the French, well they
were ecstatic with the result
and rightfully so. For the first
time in their history they have
won it three times in a row. With
a strong crop of riders to pick
from, they will head to Glen
Helen next year with a very good
chance of making it four times.
Of course America will be favor-
ites as they've never lost on their
home soil and this defeat will
make them even more motivated
to get the Chamberlain Trophy
back. CN
1. France (29)
2. The Netherlands (30)
3. USA (33)
4. Belgium (36)
5. Italy (44)
6. Switzerland (44)
7. Great Britain (73)
8. Australia (76)
9. Estonia (93)
10. Canada (95)
(Left to right) Rick Johnson, David
Bailey and Johnny O'Mara returned
to Maggiora for the first time since
winning big at the Motocross des
Nations in 1986.
