Five Countries to Watch For at the 2024 Motocross of Nations

The 2024 FIM Motocross of Nations is this weekend and here are five countries that — in my mind –have a chance at the overall.

RELATED: FINAL PRE-ENTRY LIST

Team France

The most dominate country at this event in the last decade. Every year France just seemingly tosses together a team, we underestimate them and then they win. Rinse and repeat. Hell, one year they pulled a former GP rider out of off-road or something and still won. They are the defending champions and have won six of the last nine years and to me, are the favorites again this year. Why? Because they just get it done, year in and year out.

They return the same team as last year in Romain Febvre, Maxime Renaux and Tom Vialle. Febvre was once again solid in MXGP’s this year, finishing fifth in points. He always seems to step it up at this race, though. Renaux dealt with injuries this year but appears to be 100% entering this weekend and well, Vialle is Vialle. Keep in mind, he’s used to the GP’s and I expect he will perform much better this weekend than he did in Pro Motocross, which is saying something because he was great outdoors in the U.S. this year.

Slaw Prediction: Win

Australia

The Aussies have never won this event, but goodness, you’d have to think this might be the year. You know Jett and Hunter Lawrence’s resume, and with previous time spent in GP’s, getting accustomed to the track should be easy. The key will be the third rider: Kyle Webster.

Webster is a 450 champion in Australia but is dropping down to the 250 for the event. How will he adjust? Can he handle the pressure of knowing a win will likely come down to him? It’s a lot to handle but if he comes through, Australia could stand atop the podium for the first time ever.

Slaw Prediction: Runner-up behind France

The Netherlands

Anytime you have Jeffrey Herlings on your team, you have a chance. Add in the fact that they have the newly crowned MX2 Champion in Kay de Wolf on their team, and the 2019 winners of this event are right alongside the French as favorites for the victory. The teams third rider, Glenn Coldenhoff, hasn’t had the best season in GP’s this year riding for Fantic (yes, that’s a brand) but he’s been deadly at this event.

Slaw Prediction: Podium

United States

As I’ve said on Twitter: If I hear one bad word about this team from anyone, I will go crazy. Is it our best team? Probably not. Have these dudes stood up and came together for our country? Hell yeah they have.

You know the drill by now: Cooper Webb is dropping down to a 250, Eli Tomac is replacing the injured Chase Sexton and Aaron Plessinger might be nursing a shoulder injury. Still, if things fall into place, I think this team has a chance at victory. Are they the favorites in my book? No. But hey, we’ve been down and out before and come through. Why not this year?

Slaw Prediction: Fourth

Team Spain

A very sneaky team. Led by World Champion Jorge Prado, Spain has a very formidable team this year. Joining Prado is Honda HRC factory rider in MXGP, Rebuen Fernandez. As with many countries, finding three capable riders is typically a challenge. But in the case of Spain, their MX2 rider, Oriol Oliver, finished 12th in MX2 this year and could come through for the Spanish. Prado will need to win and then have some help, but this might be the best Spanish team we’ve ever seen.

Slaw Prediction: Fifth

Main image: MXGP