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NEWS
Australia third in Motocross of Nations
The first ever podium for Australia, thanks to Chad Reed, Brett Metcalfe and Matt Moss. And the winner, for the seventh time time in a row -- America...Team Australia has created history, claiming third at the 2011 Motocross of Nations (MON) in St Jean d’Angely, France.
In a brilliant performance by the Chad Reed-led team, and ably supported by Brett Metcalfe and Matt Moss, Australia held off a determined Great Britain to secure the final podium position, with America the clear victor ahead of the host nation, France.
“Eleven years ago was my first Motocross des Nations event and I was just as excited as ever to pull on the green and gold jersey this weekend,” said Reed. “Australia’s had a tough run in the past and consistency has really cost us – it wasn’t all smooth sailing this time around but we fought hard and managed to get onto the podium which is awesome.
“I was feeling it in the first moto. If you don’t start well then you’re going to get slowed down and I knew I’d have to get away from the gates fast.
“I got the holeshot and held on to win my second des Nations moto which I was pumped about.
“My second moto wasn’t great but it’s all about the team effort here. I fought as hard as I could and so did Metty (Brett Metcalfe) and Mossy (Matt Moss) – we scored just enough points to hold off Great Britain for the podium.”
Metcalfe was just as ebullient.
"We came here Friday for the press conference and it almost felt like we were the laughing stock, like 'here comes Team Australia again, a great team but they'll probably take seventh again like every year',” said Metcalfe. “To finally get that out of the way and get on the podium is awesome for Australian motocross."
Returning to MON action after missing last year’s event, Reed (Honda) did not miss a beat and set Australia on the right path with an outstanding win in the opening MX1/MX2 race ahead of American rival Ryan Dungey (Suzuki), with Moss (KTM) 19th.
Metcalfe built on the efforts by Reed, recording a seventh in the MX2/Open race, but a DNF by Moss with a mechanical issue was a major setback.
But Australia rallied in the final MX1/Open race, with Reed seventh and Metcalfe 10th – just enough to sneak into third. Australia’s previous best result in the MON was a fourth in 1988.
Meanwhile, the seventh win in a row by America (Dungey, Ryan Villopoto and Blake Baggett) takes its total MON tally to 22.
Australian rider results
Chad Reed 1-7
Brett Metcalfe 7-10
Matt Moss 19-DNS (Suffered mechanical issues during warm up lap for second race)
MX2 classification
1. Ken Roczen, KTM, GER; 2. Marvin Musquin, KTM, FRA; 3. Joel Roelants, KTM, BEL; 4. Blake Baggett, Kawasaki, USA; 5. Dean Wilson, Kawasaki, GBR; 6. Donny Bastemeijer, Honda, NED; 7. Shannon Terreblance, Honda, RSA; 8. Stuart Edmonds, TM, IRL; 9. Priit Ratsep, Honda, EST; 10. Aleksandr Tonkov, Yamaha, RUS
MX1 classification
1. Ryan Dungey, Suzuki, USA; 2. Tyla Rattray, Kawasaki, RSA; 3. Tommy Searle, Kawasaki, GBR; 4. Chad Reed, Honda, AUS; 5. Tanel Leok, TM, EST; 6. Jonathan Barragan, Kawasaki, SPA; 7. Rui Goncalves, Honda, POR; 8. Yoshi Atsuta, Suzuki, JPN; 9. Marvin Van Daele, Honda, BEL; 10. Antti Pyrhonen, Honda, FIN
Open classification
1. Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki, USA; 2. Gautier Paulin, Yamaha, FRA; 3. Jeffrey Herlings, KTM, NED; 4. Davide Guarneri, Kawasaki, ITA 5. Kevin Strijbos, Suzuki, BEL 6. Brett Metcalfe, Suzuki, AUS 7. Arnaud Tonus, Yamaha, SUI 8. Gareth Swanepoel, Yamaha, RSA 9. Carlos Campano, Yamaha, SPA 10. Brad Anderson, Honda, GBR
65th Motocross of Nations classification
1. USA, 26 points; 2. France 39; 3. Australia 44; 4. Great Britain 46; 5. Belgium 54; 6. South Africa 56; 7. Germany 58; 8. Spain 58; 9. Netherlands 81; 10. Estonia 86p; 13. Japan 98.
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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