Just days remain until the 75th Motocross of Nations (MXoN) and anticipation levels are ramping up as several high-profile teams return to the prestigious event for the 2022 edition. With multiple riders and countries having a legitimate chance at claiming the Chamberlain Trophy, the atmosphere is intensifying as a selection of contenders share their thoughts in this Input feature ahead of RedBud this weekend.

Image: Octopi Media.

Eli Tomac (Team USA):
I’m feeling good about it. Myself and Chase [Sexton] have been on another level this year, in my opinion, and we have Justin [Cooper] too, who has come on strong at the end of his season. I think we have a great shot. You could say that every year, but we really do, and we are at RedBud. Even if RedBud has changed, I feel like the way we raced it this year – maybe it has more sand in it – but we are used to it now, if you want to say that… They brought it in for the last MXoN. We are going to be ready this time, we’re fast, so got to be consistent and we have a great shot at getting the overall.

Chase Sexton (Team USA):
It’s cool, this has been a dream come true for me, especially it being at RedBud this year. I went there in 2018 and watched and it’s just a great event overall. I’m just stoked, the bikes look good, it kind of stinks that we are 101,102 and 103, but I think it looks good and I think the last time we rode with these numbers we won. I’m looking forward to it, we have a great team and yeah I’m stoked to be able to race at RedBud and hopefully bring home a win.

Justin Cooper (Team USA):
Well it can’t go much worse right [than 2019]? We are going to put our best foot forward and we have a really good line-up this year, so I am excited. It’s coming up soon, it’s going to be good and back in the USA so that will be a little bit different than last time, hopefully, we can bring it home.

Hunter Lawrence (Team Australia):
I’m excited, we’ve got a really good team this year and Mitch [Evans] is doing better each weekend and he had some unfortunate injuries and surgeries that kind of set him back a little. He is coming into his own now, it’s good. Nations is like, you can have the best team, but you just need a little lady luck, a little bit does always help. Who knows what it could end up like, America is strong, France is strong, there are still a lot of other great teams but I’m very excited, I think we have a strong team.

Jett Lawrence (Team Australia):
I’m going to be on the big boy bike, so I am somehow going to have to pull the [LaRocco’s] leap out. I had the excuse of a 250, whereas I now I’ve got the horsepower and I got told do not pull up, hard. It’s going to be scary, I don’t have to worry about casing it now it is more so over jumping it. It’s going to be really exciting, my first nations and hopefully, I can do Australia proud.

Mitch Evans (Team Australia):
It is always an honour to represent Australia and I have been looking forward to this opportunity all season. It is great to be riding alongside Hunter and Jett Lawrence, and the fact that all three of us are part of Team HRC is even cooler. We’ve known each other for a long time and although we’re now riding in different series, it is awesome to linking up for this race and putting our best foot forward to try and win this for Australia. We know that history is against us, but we are confident that we can compete at the highest level and really challenge for this year’s Chamberlain Trophy.

Image: Foremost Media.

Jo Shimoda (Team Japan):
It’s an honour to be selected for Team Japan and represent the Japanese people at the Motocross of Nations. I earned my first overall win at RedBud earlier this year, so I hope to continue that success and make everyone back home proud.

Dean Wilson (Team Great Britain):
I am looking forward to riding for Team Great Britain at the Motocross of Nations again! The team has had some good finishes recently, so hopefully we can continue that streak at RedBud. We kept improving at the end of the Pro Motocross series, so I feel like I am in a good spot.

Glenn Coldenhoff (The Netherlands):
I’m feeling good. I love this track; it is amazing! As always, I am here to win, and of course, as a team, we want to get a good result for The Netherlands. If we can make the podium, we will be happy with that. I’ve been in the USA for a few days now and will do some training at the old Goat Farm before heading to Michigan.”

Kay de Wolf (The Netherlands):
I’m really excited to represent The Netherlands at the Motocross of Nations for the first time, especially with the race being held somewhere like RedBud. We made some good improvements across the final rounds of MXGP, so I feel like we are ready for this weekend.

Maxime Renaux (France):
I feel excited for this weekend here in RedBud! It’s a legendary track here in the US, so I am really excited to be here and a part of this year’s Motocross of Nations. I really like the look of the track. I am yet to ride it, but from what I can see, it looks really fast with big jumps, so that will be a lot of fun. I’m going to do my best for the individual result and, of course, for France. I really look forward to racing against the best guys from the USA so it will be exciting.

Jeremy Seewer (Switzerland):
I’m feeling very good and relaxed. The season is almost over – only MXoN this weekend to go. There is no pressure, I am just ready to go and have some fun. It’s also cool to race here in the USA, because the track is really different to what we have in Europe, so I am looking forward to that. My goal is to fight for the win, at least for the individual result, and then for Team Switzerland, if we all ride at our best, I think a top-five can be possible.