But in the end it was a team event, and Everts did all that he could by winning both motos, but his team didn't properly support their leader. The American team brought the trophy home without Carmichael on the track, though he was in the pits helping however he could. Team New Zealand got third after a great battle with the Italians. After leading Belgium to second place, Everts was cheered like a king, concluding his last contest as a winner, number one, the "winningest rider" of all time with 101 GP victories.
From another perspective, what we have seen in England may be the future of racing in the U.S. Aside from the leading teams, the most impressive rides of the weekend were put in by Italian Antonio Cairoli-the only MX2 rider to beat Villopoto-Townley and Tyla Rattray. Townley is already in the U.S., and the others have made no secret of plans to race in the States eventually. For now, though, America is where it should be in the motocross firmament-on top. That isn't national conceit, it is statistical reality. With the sheer numbers of riders in our talent pool and the opportunities the average moto guy has in our country, there really is no reason the U.S. should not dominate a country-based team competition. And next year, the show comes to our town. Can we entice 85,000 fans to come? Or is this an area where the Euros have us beat?
Results
Moto One: MX1 vs. MX2
1. Stefan Everts (BEL/450)
2. James Stewart (USA/450)
3. Ryan Villopoto (USA/250)
4. Christophe Pourcel (FRA/250)
5. Ben Townley (NZL/250)
6. Joshua Coppins (NZL/450)
7. David Philippaerts (ITA/450)
8. Max Nagl (GER/250)
9. Tyla Rattray (RSA/250)
10. Antonio Cairoli (ITA/250)
Moto Two: MX2 vs. Open
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA/250)
2. Ryan Villopoto (USA/250)
3. Ben Townley (NZL/250)
4. Steve Ramon (BEL/open)
5. Tyla Rattray (RSA/250)
6. Ivan Tedesco (USA/open)
7. Christophe Pourcel (FRA/250)
8. Jussi Vehvilainen (FIN/open)
9. Tommy Searle (GBR/250)
10. Carlos Campano (SPA)
Moto Three: MX1 vs. Open
1. Stefan Everts (BEL/450)
2. James Stewart (USA/450)
3. David Philippaerts (ITA/450)
4. Tanel Leok (EST/450)
5. Steve Ramon (BEL/Open)
6. Jonathan Barragan (SPA/450)
7. Sbastien Pourcel (FRA/450)
8. Joshua Coppins (NZL/450)
9. Ivan Tedesco (USA/Open)
10. Billy Mackenzie (GBR/450)
Nations Classification
1. United States-15
2. Belgium-22
3. New Zealand-35
4. Italy-37
5. France-48
6. Great Britain-55
7. South Africa-59
8. Spain-67
9. Estonia-69
10. Finland-78