The 2023 Motocross of Nations will take place on October 7 & 9 in Ernee, France.
The three-rider team was introduced this Tuesday, August 15th, during the eve of the Keiheuvel International Motocross in Balen, Belgium.
It wasn´t an easy choice as this season Belgium riders are being strong in the Motocross World Championship. But finally, they decided to gamble on young guns in the form of Jago Geerts (MXGP), Lucas Coenen (MX2), and Liam Everts (OPEN). Sacha Coenen was named reserve.
Belgium is the first of the “strongest” countries to make the announcement. On the other hand, countries like last year’s podium such as the USA, Australia or France are still in the air…
Jago Geerts – MXGP
Team: Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha
MXoN number: #13
Previous entries: 3
Best personal result: 5th overall twice
Geerts will be the captain of the 2023 Team Belgium and the most experienced among his teammates. Geerts made his MXoN debut back in 2018 in the MX2 class and one year later made a podium appearance being 2nd overall as a team, which was the last podium for Belgium by the way. Last year he shock the scene by winning the MXGP Qualifying race on his 450 debut in Red Bud and then taking 2nd place in the opening moto.
This season Geerts’s title hopes in the MX2 World Championship vanished due to injuries. However, he seems to be focused on recovering and being ready for the Motocross of Nations, once again against the big boys.
Lucas Coenen – MX2
Team: Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Team
MXoN number: #14
Previous entries: 0
The 16-years old will make his Motocross of Nations debut. However, his name is no strange in the scene after this year he earned his maiden MX2 victory at the Grand Prix of Sumbawa-Indonesia.
Liam Everts – OPEN
Team: KTM Red Bull Factory Racing Team
MXoN number: #15
Previous entries: 2
Best personal result: 4th overall twice
The KTM Red Bull rider represented Team Belgium twice in the past, both in the MX2 class, but for this 2023 edition he accepted the challenge to fill the spot in the OPEN class where MXGP and MX2 riders are involved in both 250 and 450 bikes. This season has been a breakthrough one for him after won his first-career MX2 Grand Prix at Teutschenthal.
About Team Belgium:
Belgium is one of the pioneer countries in this event. The first victory came back in 1948 when the event was called Motocross Des Nations only held by the 500cc class. Since then they won a total of fifteen times during different decades. However, the last time they reached the top of the podium was back in 2013 with Ken De Dycker, Julien Lieber and Kevin Strijbos all now retired.
