The 2019 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations is officially in the books and it was The Netherlands that notched the win—their first-ever Chamberlain Trophy. The Dutch team of Jeffrey Herlings, Glenn Coldenhoff and Calvin Vlaanderen was joined on the overall podium by the Belgian and Great Britain teams.

After a five year reign at the top, the French team was pushed off the podium down to 5th overall, with the United States team tying the French on points and finishing 6th. Hey, there is always next year.

Check out post-race quotes from all three of the Dutch riders, all three of the Team USA riders and many more below.

Coldenhoff was once again an absolute beast on race day, winning his 4th straight MXoN moto. Photo by: Ray Archer

Calvin Vlaanderen: “Last year didn’t go as planned but we came into this year feeling confident and even though the rain made it a bit harder, we still knew we had a really good chance of winning. For myself, I had a pretty good day and I came close to winning the MX2 class, which was my goal, but I came second and that was still good enough. I was second and third for the MX2 riders in each race, 10-10 in the overall classifications and I was happy with how I rode and especially happy to help the Netherlands win the Motocross of Nations. Last year I felt terrible and I felt like I let down the team but this year I am extremely proud to be a part of this winning team.”

 

Jeffrey Herlings: “The weather was not in the plan! I messed up my starts twice today so from an individual point of view I’m not satisfied. I almost won the first moto and then when down three times in the second but still managed to finish fourth. We wanted a 1-1 and that didn’t happen but what we really came here for today was to win as a Nation and we did that. My teammates did a great job and for such a small country to win this is amazing.”

 

Glenn Coldenhoff: “It was an amazing weekend and we had the crowd behind us: that gave us something ‘extra’. Tim rode well in the second moto and kept some pressure on me but I could keep him behind me. 1-1 again, and it definitely feels nicer than last year because of where we are.”

Justin Cooper was dominant on Saturday, but a big crash and a hand injury ended his quest for victory on Sunday. Photo by: Octopi

Justin Cooper: “Bittersweet weekend out here in Assen, this sport as these highs and lows. It’s part of racing and what keeps us all coming back for more. Can’t thank each and every single one of the team US members enough for all their efforts and sacrifices this year, it was a great team and a great experience. Bummer it turned out the way it did, but so proud to be a part of it all. No one gave up through all the stuff that was thrown at us. It was a true team effort, without everyone we wouldn’t be here in the first place. So honoured to be picked to represent my country and would do it again in heartbeat. Time to get back to the States and regroup.”

 

Zach Osbourne: “It’s been a tough day for everyone, but maybe especially for Team USA. I feel that we did all we could, we came into the event with a great attitude and a great team, things just didn’t work out for us, but that’s racing. We prepared well, but conditions and luck weren’t with us. I think these might have been the worst conditions I’ve ever raced in, certainly some of the toughest. Each of my motos went ok – they were tough but fifth in my first race was ok. My second race was harder. I got a decent start, but I found it hard to move forwards. Also, I had to change goggles once and, yeah, it was tough. From a team point of view, it’s not at all the result we wanted but I’m sure we’d do it all again to be here racing for our country.”

 

Jason Anderson: “Clearly things didn’t go well for us. We came into this race ready to give it everything, which we did. But it’s been difficult. Crashing early in the first moto was bad. I didn’t get a good start but going down with Justin [Cooper] was the worst way to start that race. You know, these conditions are just brutal. One rider moved, I guess he reacted and it was hard for me to avoid him. It was one of those things, but one of the worst things. I just tried to re-group and do the best I could. The second moto was better – I got up to sixth but then fell and dropped some places. It’s disappointing as a team but it’s racing.”

After crashing on the opening lap of the first moto with his teammate Cooper, it was an uphill battle for Jason Anderson. Photo by: JP Acevedo

Nathan Watson: “It was so tough out there today but I am almost speechless with the result. I managed to get two good starts from the outside – I’m not sure how! In the first race I had to apologise; I’ve never ‘done’ a clutch in my life but I must have got a bit excited. I was riding quite good but fell and my shoulder came out a little bit. I didn’t want to tell anyone and so just taped it up and got stuck-into the last race. I felt a lot of pressure and I didn’t want let the team down. I was happy to get a solid result and it’s so nice to be on the podium: it’s amazing.”

 

Adam Sterry: “What a way to end my MX2 career; I’m lost for words. I got taken out on the first lap of the first race, then crashed myself a couple of laps later and I thought it was over for the team. But we had a solid second moto to get back in with a chance and the boys brought it home in the final race. My thanks to the entire F&H team for the last two years; they went above and beyond and gave me a great bike again for this weekend; it never missed a beat despite the weather conditions.”

 

Jorge Prado: “I’m satisfied. It was an ‘OK’ weekend with some positive things and areas for improvement. Already now my speed looks quite good. In the first moto I made a small rookie mistake with the goggles and got back to sixth and fought to third. I was feeling very good so the mistake was pity. I had a really bad start in the second and was almost last in the first corner and track conditions were tough. I will take it like it is. We can improve a lot for next year so for that I’m very excited.”

Gasjer capped off his World Championship with a MXoN moto win and overall individual honors in the MXGP class.

Tim Gajser: “It was a good day. The weather wasn’t the best and the track became a bit of a mess but I took two good starts, two holeshots and then I was able to win the first moto too so it was good. I’m a bit disappointed to make that little mistake in the second moto when I was winning but I came back very close to the leader at the end so overall I’m super happy. It’s been an incredible season and this is just another great moment to win a moto and to become the first Slovenian rider ever to do so.”

 

Thomas Kjer-Olsen: “I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the season. Finishing as the best overall MX2 rider is amazing – it’s what I hoped to achieve but in these conditions anything can happen. We had so much rain here it’s hard to believe. I really tried to stay positive and just focus on riding as well as I could. The sand was so deep in places you really had to keep focused everywhere. The conditions were even harder on the 250 bikes, but my bike was perfect in both motos. I made some passes on a few 450 riders, which was cool, but I’m just pleased nothing crazy happened to me. Racing with the 450s is tough, but both motos went well. This is a great way to end the season.”

 

Jago Geerts: “It feels really good to be on the podium with Team Belgium after we’ve missed it for a couple of years. We were on the second step so that was really nice, and we achieved our goal. Our goal was always to get on the podium, but after my first heat we were unsure if we would make it. Luckily, we did well in the second and third heats and we made it.”

Gautier Paulin was not able to lock down the Team France’s 6th straight win, but as always, it was not from a lack of effort.

Gautier Paulin: “We have won five times in a row, this was a big highlight of the Motocross of Nations for Team France, but all good things come to an end and today we have to accept the fail. For myself, I was very happy with my teammates, we put in a good amount of effort to be on the podium and on the second to last lap, I run out of fuel. It’s tough to accept, but I had a great experience this weekend. The track was gnarly, the atmosphere and fans were incredible. Thanks to the public, and congratulations to The Netherlands on the win. It was a wet and gnarly weekend, but as always, it was a weekend we all enjoyed and it will give us a lot of memories.”

 

Jeremy Seewer: “I had a really positive weekend. I have always struggled in Assen in the past. I didn’t have any expectations coming in and now I am coming away with a MXGP Qualifying Race win and two really solid moto’s in the mud. I didn’t crash once all weekend, which I am really proud of. It is a solid end to the season.”

 

Pauls Jonass: “Wow, what a crazy race. Like everyone, I knew this was going to be a really tough day, but I like these conditions and was really looking forward to it. Also, I wanted to end my season with good results. I did that and team Latvia finished eighth overall, our best ever result. The sand was so, so deep in places – it was so easy to make a mistake. I got a good start in the first race, which was really important. Being close to the front of the pack makes a big, big difference. I made some passes and felt good in second. I pushed to try and close the gap to Glenn [Coldenhoff] but I got stuck with a lapper and dropped back. Second was still a great result. I got a decent start in the second race and just tried to keep pushing forwards. The conditions were really bad, so to finish the Nations with a 2/3 result is fantastic. Everyone in the team has worked so hard this weekend, it’s an amazing way to finish the season.”

Author

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