Team GB MXoN 2018 riders announced for RedBud

Team GB’s Motocross of Nations 2018 rider line-up has been announced by the ACU for the MXoN at RedBud on October 6/7.

The three British riders to make Team GB MXoN for 2018 are Tommy Searle, Max Anstie and Ben Watson, who will represent Team Great Britain on US soil at Red Bud in Buchanan, Michigan.

MXdN rookie Ben Watson will compete in the MX2 class while Searle will take on MXGP, which puts Anstie in the Open class.

RedBud is well known to motocross fans around the world, regularly hosting a key round of the US national motocross championship where patriotic fans descend on the circuit for the annual 4th of July celebrations. With a knowledgeable and fanatical fanbase, it’s the ideal location to host the 2018 Motocross of Nations.

Team GB and their own uber-patriotic fans will hope to see the British team replicate their success at last year’s event and take to the podium once more.

Earlier this week Jake Nicholls revealed he would not be in the team and with the selection of Searle, Anstie and Watson now confirmed it means that Shaun Simpson will also miss out. The difficulty of selecting the riders has been keenly felt by team manager Mark Chamberlain. “It’s tricky,” he said. “The last few weeks Shaun Simpson has put his hand up for the job as well. We’re lucky that we could pick two completely different strong teams if we had to but we’re picking what I believe is the best team for the job.”

Although Searle struggled earlier in the season with injury, missing multiple rounds of the Motocross World Championship, he has started to look more like his old self in recent weeks. “I’m happy to have been chosen to
race for my country again as this will be my 10th time doing so,” said Searle. “I know what to expect and what it takes, and we will work together as a team and give everything possible!”

Anstie has also missed a few rounds of MXGP but on the whole has been very solid. He currently holds 10th place in the world championship and has delivered two standout rides, one in Italy at the Lombardia GP and this month at the Belgium GP – both times finishing on the podium. And who could forget his stunning ride for Team GB at last year’s Motocross of Nations when on home soil he won both of his races to propel Team GB into third place, much to the delight of the British fans.

“I’m really looking forward to the MXON this year,” said Anstie. “I’m going to represent my country with pride and try to get us on the box again!”

This will be Watson’s first tilt at MXdN but this season’s results show that the 21-year-old has stepped up to another level. He currently sits fourth in the MX2 world championship ahead of American Thomas Covington and the Brit got his first ever GP podium at this year’s Russian GP. There should be no argument, in this breakout year, Watson has earned his place on Team GB.

“I am so motivated to give this opportunity absolutely everything for myself, the whole of GB and everyone who has put their trust in me,” said Watson. “I am feeling very privileged to be selected and cannot wait to do all I can along with Max and Tommy to get Team GB on the podium again. Let’s go.”

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Jake Nicholls misses out on Team GB MXoN selection

Chamberlain added: “This is year has been really tough to pick the team. Lots of different hurdles had to be overcome to get to this decision. I’m pleased with the riders selected and feel it’s a really strong team. I would like to thank the riders selected and the ones who haven’t made it for their professionalism. It’s great to have so many good riders and all of them wanting to be on Team GB!

“The focus now is on the build-up to the race and making the best possible surroundings for the riders to get the job done. It’s great to have Ben Watson on the Team as being his first year he is buzzing. That with Max and Tommy with the experience they bring together a really good team’.”

Team GB history at MXoN

Team Great Britain won the very first Motocross of Nations – MXdN as it used to be known – in 1947 at Wassenaar, the Netherlands with Bill Nicholson, Bob Ray and Fred Rist. Team GB has gone on to win it a further 15 times with the last victory coming in 1994 at Roggenburg, Switzerland with Rob Herring, Paul Malin and Kurt Nicoll.

Although there will be differing opinions on the selection of the riders, British fans now need to get behind Team GB. If you’re looking for more information on RedBud you can find further details, including ticket details here.

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