South Africa attending MXoN despite COVID-19 issues

The 2021 Motocross Des Nations has mainly been restricted down to European countries for the event this year due to COVID-19 making things difficult. Australia and America are two main countries to have pulled out which is a real shame for the event.

With HRC Honda seemingly not supporting their AMA riders to attend this years event Australia couldn’t select the Lawrence Brothers and after that decided not to send a team.  Riders like Wilson Todd, Regan Duffy and Bailey Malkiewicz could have still been a decent rider line up but hopefully the Aussies will be back in 2022.

While America blamed travel situation and that was a contributing factor, it’s thought they could have sent a team if they really wanted too but with a number of riders injured, it would be tough for them to win. Perhaps a selection of Cooper Webb, RJ Hampshire, Michael Mosiman or Joey Savatgy could have been considered but as it is they won’t attend the event this year.

Credit to South Africa, they could have blamed travel and not have sent a team but they will have three riders at Mantova – David Goosen, Triston Purdon and the promising Camden Mc Lellan. They also don’t get a lot of funding from the federation which is a real shame but those behind the team fought hard which will see them line up at the event.

It could be a good year for South Africa with the level not being as high as it usually is so they might even make it straight through to the A final. It will be a great opportunity for Camden Mc Lellan to race with some MX2 World Championship riders as well in what will be his first time riding with the likes of Tom Vialle, Mattia Guadagnini, Roan van de Moosdijk and Rene Hofer to name just a few.

The South African’s have a fundraiser page which will help them make it to the event. To donate, you can click, here.

Other Nations who also deserve credit for attending the event are Brazil, Venezuela and Canada who are all coming from overseas. 

Pic: Niek Kamper