World Bragging Rights

Belgium wins the 2003 Motocross des Nations!

Joel Smets – Belgium

October 5, 2003

Circuit Zolder

Zolder, Belgium





The 57th running of this classic event – a once per year gathering of all the top riders and teams as they compete country against country, with each nation fielding a team of three riders.





One super Finale decides it, with each country scoring it’s two best finishes. Lowest score wins! The track itself is typical of that part of Belgium – mostly flat, and very, very sandy.

Stefan Everts – Belgium

The two main combatants: Belgium with it’s three world champions (Stefan Everts, Joel Smets, and Steve Ramon) and the USA (Ricky Carmichael, Tim Ferry, and Ryan Hughes).





As individuals, Ricky Carmichael was the winner. But this event is a team event. Belgium, with Everts finishing second, and Smets third, claims the Chamberlain Trophy, and bragging rights for the next year!





Tim Ferry had a poor start and a fall to finish ninth. Ryan Hughes had a fall and a broken chain.





28 teams competed this year. Belgium has won this event 13 times. The USA has 16 victories.

Bike de Ferry

Results:

• Belgium – 5
• USA – 10
• Finland – 16
• New Zealand – 19
• Great Britain – 20
• Japan – 20
• Ireland – 27
• Estonia – 27
• France – 36
• Czech Republic – 37
• South Africa – 38
• Denmark – 55

Individual scoring:

• Ricky Carmichael – USA – HON
• Stefan Everts – BEL – YAM
• Joel Smets – BEL – KTM
• Gordon Crockard – IRL – HON
• Josh Coppins, NZL – HON
• Jussi Vehvilainen – FIN – HON
• Paul Cooper – GB – HON
• Akira Narita – JPN – SUZ
• Tim Ferry – USA – YAM
• Antti Pyrhonen – FIN – YAM

Hello Belgium! (RC)

Special thanks to Matteo (Fearo), Steve Bruhn’s MotoNews, and DORNA Off-Road





Much more here later!