When Cooper Webb was selected to represent Team USA at this years Monster Energy Motocross of Nations, set for Matterley Basin in England, it marks a return for the two-time AMA supercross champion and AMA 250 champion. A return that will bring a lot of motivation, emotion and the chance for him to forget a blemish in his career, that saw him suffer badly, even long after that 2016 MXoN ended.

Webb, who had only been selected in 2015 in his debut Nations for his country and again in 2016. That 2016 MXoN probably saw the lowest point in the career of Webb and he is 100% coming back for redemption in 2024 and I have to say, I would love nothing more than see him standing on the top step of the podium at Matterley Basin in two weeks’ time.

For those that can remember, it was back at the 2016 Maggiora event that Webb crashed in the dying stages of the weekend and that crash cost Team USA victory. I have never seen a rider more devastated than Webb at the post race press conference, and below, you can relive some of the drama of that amazing 2016 event.

Webb vowed to one day come back and make good of that 2016 crash and I for one, sure hope he gets to taste the celebrational champagne and hold the Chamberlain Trophy for his country. When riders have to stand up and represent their country, Webb is one of the most loyal and trustworthy.

“I’m so excited to be headed to MXON,” said Webb. “It’s a fire drill situation and decision, but I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. I was asked to ride a 250, so I spun some laps on Haiden’s bike and remembered how good the YZ250F is. I haven’t raced one since 2016, but I felt right at home with the few laps that I did. I will be all in on 250 prep after Vegas SMX, and I’m excited for the opportunity to represent my country. Let’s do this!”

For Team USA, it wasn't just that last lap crash by Webb though that saw them fail to take the Chamberlain Trophy home to USA. Moments after winning race two, Team USA’s Jason Anderson was landed on by a lapped rider. Anderson was taken to hospital for further observation and was unable to contest race three.

“We’ve got everything checked out and I’m going to be okay,” said Anderson. “It’s just a bit of a bummer I couldn’t get out there in the last moto to help Team USA battle for the win.”

Anderson unquestionably left his mark on the 2016 Motocross of Nations by securing a dominant start-to-finish victory in the combined Open and MX2 class race at Maggiora, Italy. Following a hugely unfortunate incident moments after securing the win, Jason was landed on by another rider after crossing the finish line, which resulted in him having to sit out the final race of the day.

The most prestigious race in the annual motocross calendar once again proved to be an incredible sporting event with thousands of fans from all around the world filling the Italian hillside circuit of Maggiora.

Battling his way through a challenging weekend of racing Anderson was left with a mountain to climb after a crash early in Saturday’s qualifying race, which left him with an injured leg. Racing Sunday’s final motos in pain, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider nevertheless put in an hugely impressive performance during the day’s second moto.

With his FC 450 powering him to a convincing holeshot Jason started pulling away from the rest of the field with only Jeffrey Herlings able to match the American’s speed around the spectacular and in places heavily rutted Italian track.

Not giving in to any of Herlings’ attempts to pass him Anderson stayed in front until the finish, managing to open up a comfortable gap after Herlings suffered a minor fall. Unable to contest moto three, Anderson saw Team USA claim third overall at the 2016 Motocross of Nations.

Saturday From Hell - Team USA

And if the crash by Webb and Anderson wasn't enough, then the Saturday qualification made sure Team USA had three ticked against their name in 2016. So horrible was the performance on the Saturday, that one well known American media was seen wiping tears from his eyes as he tried to comprehend what had just happened, then wanting to fight everyone who didn't support Team USA. Nobody could believe how close Team USA came to racing the B-final after their qualification mayhem.

The 2016 Motocross of Nations got underway in Maggiora on the Saturday and from start to finish, it was one of the toughest days in Team USA’s decorated Motocross of Nations history. As you know, the MXoN can be as much about luck as it is about riding. On this Saturday the Americans were fighting uphill in both categories and paid for it with a 15th overall qualifying position.

To start the day, Team USA drew the 30th gate pick for the qualifying races in the FIM’s lottery-style gate pick ballot. In the morning warm ups, Alex Martin (MX2) was second fastest and Cooper Webb (MXGP) was fifth fastest in their respective timed practices and Jason Anderson (Open) logged the fastest overall lap out of everyone, but it plummeted straight downhill from there for the young team.

In the MXGP class qualifying race number one, Cooper Webb got out of the gate well from the 30th pick and quickly charged his way up to front. By the midway point of the twenty-minute qualifier, Cooper had worked his way into the top five, but he met a downed Canadian Kaven Benoit and was thrown off the track and to the ground.

It took a while for the #4 Yamaha to fire back up, and Cooper remounted outside the top twenty. Coop put his head down and charged, but with very little time left on the clock, the 250MX AMA National Champ could only climb back up to 18th by the end. To make matters worse, Team USA’s toughest threat, Team France, rode away with just one point with a win from Romain Febvre. It was not the start Team USA needed, but with one throwaway score, they still had a decent shot of regaining a solid gate pick for Sunday.

When the gate dropped on the MX2 qualifying race, Alex Martin turned his 30th gate pick into a solid top ten start. Like Webb a moto before, Martin was charging up into the top five, but the tip overs that have plagued A-Mart this season bit him again. Alex crashed early in the race, went back to twelfth, started charging back and crashed again. In the end, Alex made some passes and was only able to cross the line in ninth. Fortunately for Team USA it was enough to keep them in the hunt for a top five qualifying position for Sunday.

Again, though, the French were up front with Benoit Paturel finishing third, and the strong Belgians showed they came to compete for the win as well with a win from Jeremy vanHorebeek and a third place finish in MXGP from Kevin Strijbos. After two races, the French and the Belgians were tied atop the nations leaderboard with just four points apiece and Team USA was way down in thirteenth with 27 points.

While Webb and A-Mart both struggled, Team USA had one last chance to put it all behind them in the Open class qualifying race. When the gate dropped, Anderson grabbed a decent jump from the outside, but we lost sight of the #6 in turn one. When the bikes left the first turn and the dust cleared, the New Mexico born rider was on the ground picking up his Husqvarna. Yes, sir, three races and four crashes later, Anderson had a lot of work in front of him if he was going to try to save the day.

To Anderson’s credit, he twisted his right hand like his life depended on it and battled back from 38th to 14th in the short twenty-minute moto, but the damage was done. With Webb’s 18th as their throwaway score, Team USA went into Sunday with the 15th qualifying spot. That would give them the 15th and 35th gate pick in all three motos. To add even more pain to Team USA, we were just told that Anderson may have broken his foot in the first turn crash. No matter how you slice it, tomorrow would be a long, uphill battle for the Americans.

Up front in the Open class qualifier was the three time MX2 World Champion, Jeffrey Herlings, for the Netherlands. Jeffrey showed everyone he is ready for the MXGP class in 2017 when he decimated the field by 18 seconds on the KTM 450. Jeffrey’s win was huge for the Dutch team, giving them the third overall qualifying spot behind race favourites France and Belgium. Team France will take a two race win streak and the #1 qualifying position into Sunday.

Saturday Qualification

1. France – 3 pts

2. Belgium – 4 pts

3. Netherlands – 6 pts

4. Switzerland – 6 pts

5. Italy – 9 pts

6. Great Britain – 9 pts

7. Spain – 10 pts

8. Australia – 10 pts

9. Sweden – 18 pts

10. New Zealand – 18 pts

11. Japan – 19 pts

12. Russia – 19 pts

13. Denmark – 19 pts

14. Austria – 23 pts

15. USA – 23 pts

16. Estonia – 24 pts

17. Lithuania – 26 pts

18. Canada – 29 pts

19. Czech Republic – 31 pts