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2019 Motocross Of Nations | Saturday Free Practice Results

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2019 MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS | COMPLETE COVERAGE

The first round of riding at the 2019 Motocross of Nations has just completed, as riders took to the sand track at TT Circuit Assen on Saturday for the free practice session. Although the times don’t have any sort of impact on today’s qualifying motos (remember, the gate pick for that was determined by a lottery on Friday night), they are crucial for teams as they try to figure out the flow of the one-off track and size up the competition. The qualifying motos will take place this afternoon and the overall team ranking from that will determine gate picks for Sunday’s motos.

2019 MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS | MXGP FREE PRACTICE REPORT

Surprise, surprise. Jeffrey Herlings was the fastest rider of the field in the first session of the morning. We’ve talked at length about how The Netherlands is the favorite to win the overall this weekend and Herlings’ pace in the sand is a big reason why.

Jeremy Van Horebeek was second on the board, more than a full second behind Herlings on the stopwatch, but this is a good sign for the Belgian team.

Jorge Prado was third overall in his debut laps on the 450 and the young Spanish rider could be a big spoiler for riders this weekend. 

Nathan Watson was fourth overall, a sign of the British rider’s skill in the sand.

Jason Anderson was initially 11th fastest in the results but the officials took away the American rider’s best lap for stopping on the track; he was ranked 15th instead.

2019 MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS | MX2 FREE PRACTICE REPORT

Justin Cooper was a question mark coming into the event, but the American rider proved he can hold his own and even better the European riders by clocking the fastest lap of the 250 class.

Calvin Vlaanderen was ranked second overall in the results, which shows the overall strength of the Netherlands team.

Kevin Horgmo is an unknown to most, but the Norwegian rider surprised many in the free practice by logging the third-fastest lap of the group.

Jago Geerts was fourth overall in the session, a sign that the Belgian team should be in the mix for podium results or even the overall win should things swing their way.

Denmark won’t make a huge dent in the overall results, but that allows Thomas Kjer Olsen to have a standout performance. He was fifth overall in the lap times.

2019 MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS | OPEN FREE PRACTICE REPORT

Remember Glenn Coldenhoff’s big results at RedBud last year? He’s at it again, as his top lap time in the free practice gave The Netherlands the top spot in two of the three divisions.

Kevin Strijbos was second overall in the Open class practice, a solid showing for the Belgian rider in what may be his final MXON. Strijbos has helped the Red Knights reach the podium before and it certainly seems possible right now.

Like Thomas Kjer Olsen and Denmark, Pauls Jonass and Latvia aren’t here for a win, but could mix it up in the individual results. Jonass was third in the practice times.

Zach Osborne was sixth overall in the free practice. The American rider waited until his last lap to turn up the speed, when the track was at its worst and more similar to what he’ll face in the races. 

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Michael Antonovich

Michael Antonovich has a wealth of experience with over 10 years of moto-journalism under his belt. A lifelong racing enthusiast and rider, Anton is the Editor of Swapmoto Live and lives to be at the race track.

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1 Comment

  1. Clinton Fowler September 28, 2019

    Cooper’s quickly becoming the superstar of the team.