While the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations is a team sport, one of the highlights is the battles between the AMA National Championship riders and the FIM World Motocross Championship riders. In recent years the moto rivalries have been legendary.

From the early 1980's when America started dominating the event until today's battles between Antonio Cairoli and Ryan Dungey.



In 2011 it was AMA riders Chad Reed, Tyla Rattray, Blake Baggett, Ryan Dungey and Ryan Villopoto who performed well against the FIM World Championship riders. This year it is going to be Ken Roczen, Marvin Musquin, and the Team USA riders who will battle against the likes of Jeffrey Herlings, Tommy Searle, Antonio Cairoli, Clement Desalle and Ken De Dycker. As always the action will be intense and exciting.



What will 2012 bring for us?. Will Jeffrey Herlings dominate as he did at the Grand Prix of Benelux, can the sand master lap the field, or will it be Team USA riders who control the front of the pack?. Herlings wants to do something special and the whole of Europe is waiting for that.



"I would love to battle with Antonio and Dungey," Herlings told recently. " I want to do something special at the Motocross of Nations. I don't want to sounds too confident, but I know I have good speed in the sand. I think Lommel is more difficult than Lierop because in Lommel there are bigger holes and it gets tougher. Team Netherlands could make the podium, we have a good team with Coldenhoff and De Reuver. Top five would also be okay for the team. I want to win the individual overall though."



Antonio Cairoli also knows that the deep sand of Lommel will catch many riders out. His love of the sand was evident at the Grand Prix of Lierop when he went 1-1 and controlled his rivals. Can he do that against the American riders will only be questioned on September 29 and 30.



"I have not always been consistent at this event," Cairoli said. " I hope that Lommel is the place I can do well in both motos. I had good races in 2006 in Matterley Basin, also in Italy in 2009 and in Colorado I had good races, but I also have bad races, bad experiences. Usually I do well in one and then badly in the other, it's just the way it's been for me in the Motocross of Nations. Team Italy has a small chance of making the podium, but I think if we can get top five then that will be good."

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