Assen MXoN: Five things to watch
Can the Dutch handle the pressure?
If we look back at the MXoN last year, with the event being held at RedBud, America came in with a lot of pressure and in the end didn’t deliver in the slightest. Fast forward a year later and with the event taking place in the Netherlands, the Dutch are now the ones under massive pressure to bring home that win in front of their home crowd in conditions they love.
Jeffrey Herlings is always under pressure to win, being a born winner he expects it from himself and if he doesn’t win questions are asked. The four times World Champion has never went 1-1 at the Motocross Des Nations before but he’ll want to do it in style and in front of his home crowd. That in itself will be a lot of pressure but Herlings is used to that so it shouldn’t affect him too much.
For Coldenhoff and Vlaanderen it’s a bit of a different story. With Coldenhoff’s amazing performance that sort of came out of nowhere at Redbud last year and ending the season so strongly this year in MXGP – there’s huge expectations there. Will he be able to handle the pressure? With his recent form you’d think it won’t be a problem but you just never know. As for Vlaanderen, with Prado dominating MX2 this year which has only seen three GP winners in that class, we don’t really know who can deal with the pressure of winning yet. With no Prado in the MX2 class at Assen a lot of riders will feel they can win but having that pressure is a funny thing.
Coldenhoff in action at RedBud last year when he took all the headlines going 1-1 Pic: Youthstream
Prado’s MXGP debut
Perhaps one of the biggest talking point’s coming into this years event is the fact Jorge Prado will make his MXGP debut. Who remembers Prado’s first MX2 race at Assen? Jeffrey Herlings certainly will as despite winning that day he had his hands full with the young Spaniard.
Prado on his way to winning the MX2 class at RedBud last year. Pic: Youthstream
Prado has such a good technique so should suit the 450cc perfectly well, the bigger question is if he’ll be used to the high intensity of riding the bigger bike for 30 minutes plus two laps. If he is, around Assen he could be very dangerous and he shouldn’t be underestimated by anybody. With it being his first MXGP race and Spain having pretty much no chance of winning, Prado has absolutely no pressure. Don’t be surprised to see him right at the front – the kid is supremely gifted and talented.
The American’s in the sand
The American’s haven’t won the Motocross Des Nations since 2011 – an absolute disaster for them! This year there seems to be a different feel in the camp as they’re not favourites for the event – it’s not often we say that, but there seems to be a much better team atmosphere.
This year they’ve made a good decision to come and prepare for the race and will have had over two weeks riding in the sand before Assen. It’s nice to see them put in the work and this year if they don’t win at least they know they’ve prepared themselves properly for the event and couldn’t have done much more.
Tomac ended up third overall in the MXGP class last year with the American’s finishing fifth overall. Pic: Youthstream
At Assen it’s going to be cool to see Anderson, Osborne and Cooper riding the deep sand and how their riding style’s compare to the top GP riders. Usually we see the GP riders stand on the pegs a lot more and carry more momentum around the corners but how much of that will the American’s have picked up whilst preparing this year? Time will tell.
The atmosphere will be electric
With the Motocross Des Nations taking place at the man made circuit at Assen this year, it’s going to be different from the normal Motocross Des Nations.
Last year when Herlings won his MXGP World Championship, the atmosphere underneath the grandstands was absolutely crazy and it’s hard to imagine anything topping that but you just know it will, that’s what makes the Motocross Des Nations so special.
The packed grandstand during the MXGP of Assen last year. Pic: Youthstream
Fans travel from all over the world to the MXoN and there’s going to be a lot more fans there next weekend. An example is Ireland, for whatever reason not so many Irish fans travel to MXGP World Championship despite them being great but they’ll be out in full force at the MXoN next weekend.
It’s set to be a great event and if you’re against man made tracks, give Assen a chance, you might just go there and be pleasantly surprised at how good it is.
Who’s going to win?
There’s no doubt that heading into Assen the two favourites are the Netherlands and the American’s – the only two teams to not be hit with injuries.
However, there will be a lot of motivated Nations out there to cause a surprise and there’s always surprises at this race! Belgian, France, Italy and GB are all capable of causing an upset on race day.
The French team that won the event just a year ago. Pic: Youthstream
Article: Andy McKinstry
Pics: Youthstream
