This was Ryan Villopoto’s last Motocross of Nations appearance. RV won the event with Team USA in ’06, 07, ’08 and ’11. Photos by: Hoppenworld

It’s hard to believe it, but the last time Team USA hoisted the Chamberlain Trophy above their heads at the end of a Motocross of Nations was back in 2011. In 2011 Ryan Dungey (MX1), Ryan Villopoto (Open) and Blake Baggett (MX2) went to Saint-Jean-d’Angély and beat France—who finished 2nd—at home by a score of 26 to 39. It was a tough defeat for the French and one where if not for some bad luck, they may have won. It was Team USA’s fourth-straight win at the time and our record 22nd all-time MXoN victory.

In the final moto, Ryan Villopoto (#3, Open) waited for Ryan Dungey (#1, MXGP) and they crossed the line together. That’s how dominant we once were with the best we had representing us.

The French team in ’11 was made up of Christophe Pourcel (MX1), Gautier Paulin (Open) and Marvin Marvin (MX2), and Paulin will return in 2017—this time trying to win the French’s fourth-straight. My, how times have changed. Unfortunately for Team USA, there will be no Dungey (retired), Villopoto (retired) or Baggett (getting surgery) there in ’17, but the rookie team of Cole Seely, Zach Osborne—raced for PR, but never USA—and Thomas Covington will fly to Great Britain at the end of next month and try to bring the Chamberlain Trophy back to the US for a record 23rd time.

Left to right – Team Manager, Roger Decoster, Ryan Villopoto, Blake Baggett and Ryan Dungey.

While it was nice to win when we were dominating the event, the fact that we have not won in five-straight attempts, will make this win that much sweeter. USA, USA, USA! Can we get back to the top spot in 2017 with Seely, Osborne and Covington representing us? That is an answer we will not get until the first weekend of October, but we will be wearing our red, white and blue with our air horns in hand like the rest of you.

Most Wins By Nation

1. USA – 22
2. Great Britain – 16
3. Belgium – 14
4. Sweden – 7
5. France – 4
6. Russia – 2
– Italy – 2
8. Czechoslovakia – 1
9. Germany – 1

To get pumped up for the 2017 version of the MXoN, check out the highlight show from 2011 and two of the three motos from our ’11 victory below.

 

Photos by: Hoppenworld

 

 

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.