Britain to host 2017 Motocross of Nations

AMID the end-of-season motocross GP intrigue and gossip always comes a little re-jigging – usually it’s the riders swapping teams. But the big news post-season this year for British MX fans is that Matterley Basin circuit, Winchester, will play host to the 2017 Motocross of Nations.

The change of plan comes after the original venue, Glen Helen in California, withdrew following poor turnout for the September MXGP race. MXGP organisers Youthstream were quick to award British MXGP race organiser Steve Dixon and his team the popular event.

Matterley Basin (pictured above) is known as a brilliant venue for spectating as it sits in a natural bowl, allowing almost unique viewing of the whole circuit.

Matterley was due to be the 2018 venue for the MXoN but the Dixon team seem happy to pull the event forward.

Dixon said: “Great news for myself about getting the Nations back to Matterley, since Glen Helen withdrew at the weekend it's been manic to put things in place to do the race a year early.”

The MX of Nations is the annual season closer and the place where national teams take on each other. Traditionally it is one of the few race events where we see a truly global competition which includes US riders - a bit like the Ryder Cup, to use a golf analogy.

Regular MXGP competitors give their all for country but also for kudos against the Team USA who often come in to the Nations as favourites.

Team America might historically be the ones to beat but just lately the tables have turned towards France, who have won the Nations Trophy for a record three consecutive years, including last weekend at Maggiora, Italy.

Provisionally the date is set at October 1 2017. More info at MXGP.com.