-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Latest Headlines: NASCAR
-
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Supercross & Motocross
MXON: Sand Trap
The European sand of Lommel might be the biggest obstacle Team USA has encountered yet since opening its Motocross of Nations streak back in 2005.
Red Bull/KTM's Ryan Dungey (Photo: Hoppenworld.com)
The championship-bearing trio of Ryan Dungey, Blake Baggett, and Justin Barcia made their official appearance as Team USA this past weekend as they hit the track in Lommel, Belgium, for the first day of practice.
The primary story heading into this weekend’s 66th running of the Motocross of Nations is Team USA’s quest for an eighth-consecutive Chamberlain Trophy. The three-rider lineup from the U.S. is one of the strongest in recent years with both Dungey and Baggett entering the event as National Champions and Barcia holding his own as a Supercross Lites Regional Champion. However, the biggest hurdle facing the continued reign of America is the deep sand at Lommel.
It’s been widely documented that this is a surface unlike anything our riders have ever raced on before. Southwick, the lone sand track on the Pro Motocross schedule, provides some point of reference, but in the end has few similarities to Lommel. Meanwhile, it is a familiar venue for the European riders of the World Motocross GP, serving as a common training ground. While it may not be a part of the GP schedule, the track is similar to the other sand tracks in the FIM championship. This track knowledge instantly gives the world a proverbial leg up on its American counterparts. That perceived advantage is expected to work against Team USA and its bid for victory, and very well could factor in on Sunday afternoon.
That means that the U.S.’ efforts to be prepared for the weekend’s festivities are riding on getting the most out of the pre-race practice sessions which will allow the team to establish a solid baseline on the actual track they’ll be competing on. Ever since the checkered flag flew at Lake Elsinore a few weeks back, the respective teams at Red Bull KTM, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, and Team Honda Muscle Milk have been logging countless hours in preparation for Lommel, both on the track and in the shop.
Team Manager Roger DeCoster wasted no time in getting his hand-selected team onto the sand here in the States, registering laps wherever they could to get his riders familiar with the surface, get a grasp on the bikes, and also build the sort of team chemistry that is an oft-overlooked advantage come race day. There may not be a track in America than can quite replicate what the riders will experience in Lommel, but the quicker an usable setup can be found, the earlier the team can focus on tuning each machine to near-perfection for each rider once the Motocross of Nations is officially underway.
The track surface in Belgium resembles the sand you’d see on a European beach, and carries a lot of moisture. An upshot of this fact is is that you can almost guarantee it will not be a one-lined track. Because of the nature of the sand, ruts are developed and covered almost simultaneously as riders will be all over the place in the constantly-moving soil. In the past, rain has been a big part of Lommel’s history, but the forecast for Sunday is looking good. However, potential showers loom on the forecast for Saturday's qualifying heats which decide the all-important gate picks for Sunday’s motos.
The primary story heading into this weekend’s 66th running of the Motocross of Nations is Team USA’s quest for an eighth-consecutive Chamberlain Trophy. The three-rider lineup from the U.S. is one of the strongest in recent years with both Dungey and Baggett entering the event as National Champions and Barcia holding his own as a Supercross Lites Regional Champion. However, the biggest hurdle facing the continued reign of America is the deep sand at Lommel.
It’s been widely documented that this is a surface unlike anything our riders have ever raced on before. Southwick, the lone sand track on the Pro Motocross schedule, provides some point of reference, but in the end has few similarities to Lommel. Meanwhile, it is a familiar venue for the European riders of the World Motocross GP, serving as a common training ground. While it may not be a part of the GP schedule, the track is similar to the other sand tracks in the FIM championship. This track knowledge instantly gives the world a proverbial leg up on its American counterparts. That perceived advantage is expected to work against Team USA and its bid for victory, and very well could factor in on Sunday afternoon.
That means that the U.S.’ efforts to be prepared for the weekend’s festivities are riding on getting the most out of the pre-race practice sessions which will allow the team to establish a solid baseline on the actual track they’ll be competing on. Ever since the checkered flag flew at Lake Elsinore a few weeks back, the respective teams at Red Bull KTM, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, and Team Honda Muscle Milk have been logging countless hours in preparation for Lommel, both on the track and in the shop.
Team Manager Roger DeCoster wasted no time in getting his hand-selected team onto the sand here in the States, registering laps wherever they could to get his riders familiar with the surface, get a grasp on the bikes, and also build the sort of team chemistry that is an oft-overlooked advantage come race day. There may not be a track in America than can quite replicate what the riders will experience in Lommel, but the quicker an usable setup can be found, the earlier the team can focus on tuning each machine to near-perfection for each rider once the Motocross of Nations is officially underway.
The track surface in Belgium resembles the sand you’d see on a European beach, and carries a lot of moisture. An upshot of this fact is is that you can almost guarantee it will not be a one-lined track. Because of the nature of the sand, ruts are developed and covered almost simultaneously as riders will be all over the place in the constantly-moving soil. In the past, rain has been a big part of Lommel’s history, but the forecast for Sunday is looking good. However, potential showers loom on the forecast for Saturday's qualifying heats which decide the all-important gate picks for Sunday’s motos.
SX Seattle
LATEST HEADLINES: MOTO-RACING
-
WSBK: Donington Park Superpole Ticker
Notes and quotes following Tom Sykes' 15th career Superpole triumph.… -
PHOTOS: WSBK - Donington Park Superpole
Tom Sykes claimed the 15th Superpole victory of his career today… -
WSBK: Sykes Strikes Up Fourth Straight Superpole
Kawasaki Racing Team's Tom Sykes is now tied for sixth all-time in… -
AMA SBK: '13 Schedule Finalized
The late-season 'TBA' has officially been scrubbed from the 2013… -
AMA SBK: AMA Pro Invests In Airfence
AMA Pro Racing officials announced today that the company will be… -
PHOTOS: WSBK - Donington Park QP
Local favorite Tom Sykes was quickest in mixed conditions on the… -
WSBK: Donington Park QP Ticker
Notes and quotes following a wet opening day at Donington Park. - More News
