This weekend is a big one for Ireland with the Motocross Des Nations and the Coupe de l’Avenir both taking place on the same weekend.
MXoN:
The Motocross Des Nations heads to Mantova this year but isn’t being held under the same circumstances as normal – the event is during the MXGP season. As this is the case, it means lots of MXGP riders won’t race and in theory it should be a great opportunity for Ireland to impress. There has been quite a lot of controversy regarding the team selection with no Martin Barr selected so it will be very interesting to see how the team manages without his experience and speed. However, Stuart Edmonds and Jason Meara have been riding very well and will be hoping to guide Ireland into the A final and go from there.
Edmonds has raced multiple time for Ireland and will know exactly what to expect and has put in a number a good rides in the past – who can forget his remarkable ride in the B final at Assen! Meara has only raced for Ireland once in the past and that was at Assen but that experience of racing the event in the past should make him stronger this year. There’s no doubt he’s riding better than ever during the tail end of the 2021 season posting a number of top ten British Championship results in a stacked MX1 class and he also just clinched another Ulster Championship last weekend.
It will be Jake Sheridan’s first time representing Ireland at the Motocross Des Nations but he has got experience representing the country at the Coupe de l’Avenir and even helped us win the event in 2018. The Motocross Des Nations is another step up but he has raced an MX2 GP and a round of the EMX250 series at Lommel so knows what it’s like to race at a high level.
Coupe de l’Avenir:
Over in Belgium this weekend the Coupe de l’Avenir takes place at an old school Belgian track and Ireland being previous winners at the event will be looking to compete right at the front this year too.
The 65cc class sees a line up of Alfie Herron (Antrim), Ollie Holland (Armagh) and Kole Nally (Wicklow) who will look to learn as much as possible. Last weekends EMX65 champion, Lucas Leok will be racing so they can try and learn pretty from him.
Perhaps the best chance of success this year is the 85cc class with a line up of Cole McCullough (Antrim), Jack Meara (Down) and Lewis Spratt (Tyrone).
McCullough was very impressive in the EMX85 race he contested in Czech Republic and will now want to show off his hard pack skills while Meara comes into the event after clinching an Ulster title and having some good results in England this year. A thought to Meara’s parents who will be in Belgium with Jack but also trying to follow the MXoN to see how Jason is performing!
The U21 class sees a line up of Reece Ross (125cc), Ben Kennedy (MX2) and Aidan McDonagh (Open) who will all be looking to end the season on a high and hoping to get on the podium if everything clicks into place – starts are going to be crucial.
Good luck
Everyone at GateDrop.com would like to with both team’s well for both events. We will keep everyone up to date this weekend with how both events are going.
Article: Andy McKinstry
Pic: Emma Lynch