Shaun Simpson has opened up about his emotional ride to his first MX of Nations podium alongside Adam Sterry and Nathan Watson at Sunday’s washout at Assen. After splitting with his RFX team, the Scot worked on the engine of a stock KTM 450 SXF together with father Willie and friend John Volleberg who has tuned motors for him in previous years. This set-up is likely to form the basis of his new SS24 race team in 2020, so to put the bike on the Nations podium is a big shot in the arm.

“I was so emotional at the finish,” Shaun said. “The weather had made it a difficult day for all the riders but I knew a good start and keeping mistakes to a minimum would be the key. I nursed the bike through the second moto once I was clear in third, and that result was a big confidence boost after a difficult season with a new team and another hand injury. Full credit to Adam for his ride in that race and then Nathan produced the goods in the last one with me and we were able to get on the box. It’s hard to describe how ecstatic I was: seeing my wife and baby and all my family and friends there made me crack-up a bit. It’s been seven times trying to get a result at this race, all the way back to my first appearance in 2008, and to do it at the end of this season especially is a big cherry.

“We’ve now got some work to do. We’ve been busy over the last weeks trying to click pieces of the new team together and working on the puzzle to make it happen. We won’t slow down now. I think I showed with something-close-to the right equipment I have the speed and knowledge to make a good showing of myself and anybody associated with me at the highest level. It doesn’t get much bigger than the Nations in our sport. The way I feel right now I cannot wait to compete again around the world in 2020.”

TIMETABLE 

Friday: MXoN Teams Presentation to the Crowd 17:00; Pit Bike of Nations 18:15; Briefing with Team Managers and Ballot 19:15. 

Saturday: Free practice bLU cRU YZ65 08:00; Free practice bLU cRU YZ85 08:15; Free practice bLU cRU YZ125 08:30; Time practice bLU cRU YZ65 08:45; Free practice bLU cRU YZ85 09:10; Free practice bLU cRU YZ125 09:35; Free Practice MXGP 10:00; Free practice MX2 10:50; Free Practice Open 11:40; Race bLU cRU YZ65 13:10; Race bLU cRU YZ85 13:45; Qualifying Heat MXGP 14:30; Qualifying Heat MX2 15:30; Qualifying Heat Open 16:30

Sunday: Warm-up B-Final 8:35; Race bLU cRU YZ125 09:20; Warm-up MXoN Group 1 10:00; Warm-up MXoN Group 2 10:20; B-Final 10:50; MXoN Race 1 (MXGP+MX2) 13:10; MXoN Race 2 (MX2+Open) 14:40; MXoN Race 3 (Open+MXGP) 16:08.

The only way to watch it live from the UK is via the MXGP.TV live stream. Or watch it delayed on Eurosport.

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 29 September – Race 1 – 19:15 CET Delayed 18.15 UK time

Sunday 29 September – Race 2 – 19:45 CET Delayed 18.45 UK time

Sunday 29 September – Race 3 – 20:15 CET Delayed 19.15 UK time

David Luongo, Vice President of Youthstream: “The French following is one of the biggest in the world in the field of motocross and the French fans have always been incredible. It was the obvious choice, especially with the partnership we have with the French Motorcycling Federation and French clubs, to bring the Motocross of Nations back to France. We chose Ernée after the two editions (2005 and 2015) because both of them were an incredible success, we all have images and memories from the Motocross of Nations in Ernée and we are very proud to be coming back.”

Managing Director of the FFM Mr. Sébastien Poirier: “Motocross is such an important sport in France for the riders, fans, families, and us. Motocross is the most popular motorcycle discipline in our country and we are happy that Youthstream sees our dedication to the sport at all levels. The biggest motocross race in the world will be back in France and back at the trustworthy Ernée circuit. Together with Youthstream, the FIM, and Philippe we will work to again make this event another unforgettable success.”

Philippe Lecomte, President of the Ernée Moto-Club: “I would like to thank the FIM, Youthstream and the FFM for allowing us to once again organize the Motocross of Nations in 2020. For the third time, this event will take place on our soil. The 2005 edition was fantastic, that of 2015 was even better with an incredible atmosphere punctuated by a French victory. I hope that 2020 will have the same success, all the volunteers are already at work to host both the best riders in the world and tens of thousands of spectators expected.”

The home team USA is the winningest team in the history of the event and will look to reclaim the Chamberlain trophy after last hoisting it in 2011. This year the team will have Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac, Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Aaron Plessinger, and Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia to try an beat the reigning French champions of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Gautier Paulin, Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha’s Dylan Ferrandis, and VHR KTM’s Jordi Tixier not to mention the Dutch riders, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings, Team HRC’s Calvin Vlaanderen, and Red Bull KTM’s Glenn Coldenhoffor the charismatic team Puerto Rico with Travis Pastrana, Ryan Sipes, and Kevin Windham!

The 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at RedBud will receive global television coverage from several Youthstream broadcast partners this weekend including America’s CBS Sports Network with former Team USA winning member Jeff Emig joining former winning British MXoN member Paul Malin in the commentary booth.

The French fans will also be treated to a special MXoN Sunday by Eurosport 2 France with a Studio Show before Race 1 and between every race along with non-stop live coverage from 7 to 11PM European time. Providing the commentary for the French audience will be Maxime Martin and two time FIM Motocross World Champion Michael Pichon.

The complete event including Saturday’s LIVE Qualifying races, and Sunday’s Motocross of Nations races with MXGP, MX2, and Open categories will also be streamed worldwide from RedBud, USA on www.MXGP-TV.com

Check the TV guide below to know when and where you can tune in to the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at RedBud:

USA- CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 07 October – Race 1 – 01:00 pm ET (10:00 am PT) – LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 2 – 02:30 pm ET (11:30 am PT) – LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 3 – 04:00 pm ET (01:00 pm PT) – LIVE

EUROPE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 07 October – Race 1 – 21:00 CET – DELAYED

Sunday 07 October – Race 2 – 21:30 CET – DELAYED

Sunday 07 October – Race 3 – 22:00 CET – LIVE

BELGIUM

PLAY SPORTS 1

Sunday 07 October – Race 1 – 19:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 2 – 20:30 CET – LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 3 – 22:00 CET – LIVE

CANVAS

Sunday 07 October – Highlights

FRANCE

EUROSPORT 2

Sunday 07 October – Race 1 – 21:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 2 – 21:30 CET – LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 3 – 22:00 CET – LIVE

LA CHAINE L’EQUIPE

Monday 08 October – Race 1 – 14:00 CET – DELAYED

Monday 08 October – Race 2 – 15:00 CET – DELAYED

Monday 08 October – Race 3 – 16:00 CET – DELAYED

ITALY

RAI SPORTS

Monday 8 October – Race 3 – 00:30 – DELAYED

NETHERLAND

NOS

Sunday 07 October – Race 1 – 19:00 CET – LIVE STREAM

Sunday 07 October – Race 2 – 20:30 CET – LIVE STREAM

Sunday 07 October – Race 3 – 22:00 CET – LIVE STREAM

PORTUGAL

Sport TV 5

Sunday 07 October – Race 1 – tbc

Sunday 07 October – Race 2 – tbc

Sunday 07 October – Race 3 – tbc

RUSSIA and CIS (AzrbaÏdjan – Armenia – Bielorussia – Kazakstan – Kirghsitan- Moldavia – Ouzbekistan – Tadjikistan – Turkmenistan)

Motorsporttv

Sunday 07 October – Race 1 – 19:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 2 – 20:30 CET – LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 3 – 22:00 CET – LIVE

SLOVENIA 

Sport TV1

Sunday 07 October – Race 1 – 19:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 2 – 20:30 CET – LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 3 – 22:00 CET – LIVE

ASIA

FOX SPORTS SEA (Hong Kong – Macau – Thailand – Singapore – Indonesia)

Monday 08 October – Race 1 – 11:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 08 October – Race 2 – 12:00 – HKT- Delayed

Monday 08 October – Race 3 – 13:00 – HKT- Delayed

FOX SPORTS 3 SEA(Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore,  Thailand, Malaysia

Sunday 07 October – Race 1 – 01:00 – HKT- LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 2 – 02:30 – HKT- LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 3 – 04:00 – HKT- LIVE

CHINA

STAR Sports China

Sunday 07 October – Race 1 – 01:00 – HKT- LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 2 – 02:30 – HKT- LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 3 – 04:00 – HKT- LIVE

BRAZIL

BANDSPORTS

Sunday 07 October – Race 1 – 14:00 Brazil timing – LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 2 – 15:30 Brazil timing – LIVE

Sunday 07 October – Race 3 – 17:00 Brazil timing – LIVE

	Local Time/EST		CET
	Start	Finish	Start	Finish
Saturday 6th October
Studio Show	13:15	14:00	19:15	20:00
MXGP Qualifying	14:20	15:00	20:20	21:00
MX2 Qualifying	15:20	16:00	21:20	22:00
OPEN Qualifying	16:20	17:00	22:20	23:00
Sunday 7th October
Final B	10:50	11:40	16:50	17:40
Race 1 (MXGP & MX2)	13:00	14:00	19:00	20:00
Race 2 (MX2 & Open)	14:30	15:30	20:30	21:30
Race 3 (Open & MXGP)	16:00	17:00	22:00	23:00

TIMETABLE

Saturday: Ballot 09:00; Free Practice MXGP 10:00; Free practice MX2 11:00; Free Practice Open 12:00; Qualifying Heat MXGP 14:30; Qualifying Heat MX2 15:30; Qualifying Heat Open 16:30.

Sunday: Warm-up B-Final 8:45; Warm-up MXoN Group 1 9:15; Warm-up MXoN Group 2 09:45; B-Final 11:00; MXoN Race 1 (MXGP+MX2) 13:10; MXoN Race 2 (MX2+Open) 14:40; MXoN Race 3 (Open+MXGP) 16:08.

The Opening press conference was the first of the two which started with Youthstream Vice President David Luongo, FIM/CMS Director Tony Skillington, and the 2018 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations Organizer’s Amy & Tim Ritchie sharing some words about this weekend’s event.

Youthstream Vice President Mr. David Luongo: “It is a great honor to be back in the USA with the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, we have not been here in many years and the fans have high expectations, the American fans are amazing! We are sure it will be a fantastic weekend and on the sporting side it will be one of the most exciting Motocross of Nations in years. We really have the best riders in the world with many top riders in all the classes so it is very exciting and we hope to have good racing. We just cannot wait for tomorrow morning with the engines start!”

FIM/CMS Director Tony Skillington: “I would like to thank all of those who made this event possible especially Youthstream for the foresight to return to the USA again and also to find the great partnership with the Amy and Tim Ritchie, MXSports, and the AMA. The Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations is a very unique event, year after year it creates the best atmosphere that our sport can provide. We have the very best of the best here and like the fans we look forward to a great racing weekend.”

2018 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations Organizer Amy Ritchie: “Our dad went to this race 40 years ago in Germany and this was his dream, to host the Motocross of Nations.” Then Tim Ritchie continued: “We are very excited to host this event, we have been working on it for a very long time. We have had a very good time working with the Youthstream crew and they have been good to work with, other than that I just want to say welcome everyone.”

Following the words from the officials the teams of the USA, France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, and Italy shared their expectations in front of national and international media before concluding with the popular team Puerto Rico!

With the conclusion of the opening press conference the teams and media took a small break before heading to the starting area where thousands of fans lined the fences as the teams of 30 nations were presented to the crowd one by one. Each team hopped in the back of a Dodge Ram truck starting with the 30th team on the entry list, Guatemala, and working up the list to defending champions France before ending with a bang as the home team USA of both present and past editions brought the crowd to a massive roar.

The amazing Friday moments only further raised the level of an enthusiasm for both the fans and competitors. While celebrations at the track continue the riders and teams have set their focus to tomorrow’s Qualifying day.