What a wild, noisy, hot and patriotic day in an effervescent Ernee as France went 1-1 on Saturday with Vialle and Renaux after a day of intense racing and a much deeper field than a normal Des Nations.
Nearly ten countries are all legit contenders for a podium with Spain the shining star behind the French today as Prado won the toughest race of the day, the MXGP moto. With Jett working his way up to second with simply classy passing moves on Gajser, Roczen and Febvre, it was the World Champ and the US champ who led the world with their picture perfect riding – a free riding lesson for the tens of thousands of fans and around the world. These two ride a bike the right way and Prado is the first guy to beat Jett all year outdoors on a 450!
It simply doesn't get any better than this #mxon pic.twitter.com/wEw2RFCSEq
— Gatedrop (@GateDropMx) October 7, 2023
Dean Ferris had a big crash for Australia in the Open class but Hunter’s third behind Simon Laengenfelder and Tom Vialle was enough for Australia as Vialle made a last lap move on Laengenfelder to bring the roof down on the open air track – but Laengenfelder will be wondering how he lost that moto, seemingly in control all race long!
De Wolf slammed RJ for fouth but one of the best rides of the day came from Adamo. The world champ went down in turn one and came all the way back to tenth in a cracking ride to save Italy who also had Forato down in the first moto at turn one! Janis Reisulis had outside gate pick but was running tenth on his 250f debut at fifteen years old until he dropped it on the last lap, this kid is for real.
Renaux walked away with the Open moto, underlinging just how strong France are but Spain and Germany are in this mix, Roczen was fast and Fernandez was impressive getting to second for Spain with Oliver also top ten in MX2.
Jago Geerts was in the mid with the top three until he went down in MXGP race one then settled for seventh after Jett picked up the pace in front of him, but Lucas Coenen, the fastest MX2 rider in the morning was wayyyy back on lap one meaning all the pressure was on Liam Everts for Belgium in race three and despite only being tenth fastest, Everts produced passing Craig and then Kullas for third. if Coenen and Geerts can stay on, these boys will be in the mix, they have no weak link on speed – just the crashes today!
The Swiss were fast too and Tonus is riding that 250f well enough to put them in the mix as the USA are also hovering around the 3-5 potential.
While France remain favourites, anything can happen and the seven teams behind them will know that if they produce their best a podium is in their grasp – and maybe even more!
But the biggest winner are the fans, this place has to be experienced to be believed, the atmosphere is electric all day and this is only Saturday – any motocross fan needs live the Ernee MXoN experience!
With both classes combined tomorrow and so many fast MX2 riders in the mix plus the mouth-watering prospect, even in the 30 degree heat, of Renaux, Fernandez, Craig, Coldenhoff (if healthy after crash today), Everts and Guillod all being added to that MXGP class for the final moto of the day and the year, it’s going to somehow, someway, get even louder with a French victory on the line!
Article and images: Jonathan McCready