Broad stripes and bright stars

God Bless America! I wish I could believe in that but I can’t, I’m an atheist. Say what you want about our Yankie cousins but one thing is for sure, they know how to lay it on thick. No sour grapes here by the way before you think this is going to spiral into an American hate campaign, I’ll leave that with all the politics that go on in the world outside of motocross. No, what I’m saying here is that the Americans know how package an event. Cutting through all the crap you could say that the razz doesn’t matter and it’s just a show buts that the point. I want a show and I want to be entertained as much as I want to see some shit hot bar banging racing. I’m a fan, an optimist so why can’t I have both? And you see that’s where our friends out west deliver better than anyone.

We interviewed the MXDN promoter Jonathan Beasley (he’ll also appreciate it should still be known as the MXDN not MXON) in issue 23 of MOTO and he promised us that it will be an amazing event, he also said he was the only one mad enough to take it on. He was right on both counts. In his eccentric manner he came on the mic and welcomed everyone to ‘Woodstock’. I never went to Woodstock, although I wish I had been around to do so but I’m guessing this was the American motocross equivalent. It was simply awesome and the camping grounds stretched for miles as people came in like lost souls of the flower power generation. If the MXDN didn’t cement itself in American culture back at Unadilla in 1987 surely it has this time around? An emphatic display by the USA team, in particular Ryan Villopoto, must have won over the hearts of the American fans who failed to embrace this special race.

I spent lengthy spells with Mark Eastwood at Budds Creek. Once he realized we didn’t have a shot of winning he said “I hope the yanks spank everyone else.” I asked him why to which he replied “Because they deserve to, their preparation is right.” Looking around the place it was obvious that didn’t stop with the team, he certainly had a point. It was just a shame Britain’s plans were scuppered when that deep loam bit Noble in the ass. To my amazement the guy was getting slated on forums at home before the doctors had even given him any diagnosis. James couldn’t even lift his arm to have a drink, let alone ride around one of the most rutted, fast and technical tracks in the world. And as for Easty, Tommy and Billy Mac, well they were so good we’re going to wait until the next issue to give them special praise. Let’s not forget Richard Clarke too, he laid on a base camp for the boys that was fit for a king.

But for now, huge respect to Jonathan Beasley for having the foresight or sheer downright ignorance to get the MXDN back into the American mx psyche. Huge respect to Youthstream for believing him. Huge respect to the American team because lets face it as commentator Tim Cotter pronounced “get ready to watch team USA open a can of whip ass on the rest of the world!” that’s exactly what they did. And in particular a special thank you to Ricky Carmichael for keeping the American interest in this event alive. Let’s hope Villopoto picks up that mantle because love em or loathe em you have to accept that on that weekend the Americans were in a class of their own and they certainly add spice. Now it’s up to all the other nations to raise their game and come out swinging in Northern Ireland next year. Let’s hope that Rocky theme is still ringing in their ears eh? – Jeff

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