The MX of Nations

Get it? 'MX', 'Motor','Cross' of Nations. A few weekends ago Robyn, Badger and I, along with 60, 000 other people, headed off to Winchester (an hour or so train journey south east of London) to watch a Motor Cross event called the 'MX of Nations'. I was told by a former colleague, and MX fanatic that this was an event not to be missed and probably the best MX event that you could ever wish to watch. Motor Crosses version of The Ryder Cup I was told. That was enough for me. Basically the rest of the world though, and not Europe, versus the Americans in 3 different races of around 30 laps.

Now I've never really been into my Motor Cross, and I've never even ridden a Motor bike on my own, but this was a really entertaining day out and I can see the attraction to such a sport and lifestyle. The actual track, which is a short bus ride out of the town, sits twistedly in a 'natural bowl' between two small hills, making it ideal for the spectators. Bascally wherever you stand you can see almost all of the track, allowing you to follow the leaders all the way. This I'm told is quite unique and partly why the day would be so special.

Unexpectedly, the first race was won by a Belgian legend even I've heard of (from the old National Panasonic, World of Sport programs on Friday evenings straight after Loving), Stefan Everts, and if memory serves me correctly he won the last race to, but that was not enough to stop the Americans from taking the overall win. Ja, don't ask me how that works, but thats what happened. It really was quite difficult to follow the races, because after a lap or two, there are about 40 riders strewn all over the track from start to finish. To see them doing those jumps, in real life was really impressive and something I won't forget for quite some time. The throaty sound of those bikes, buzzing at full tilt around corners, flicking mud high into the air, makes it such an intense and rewarding spectator sport. The one jump (see pics), went spectacularly between two trees, so we positioned ourselves metres from it for ages watching the constant stream of riders fly almost directly over our heads and down the hill. It's hard to imagine how much courage that must require to do but we were all pretty envious because it looked like a heck of a lot of fun!

And that my friends is that. A day and event that I would highly recommend. The MX of Nations.