PHOTO GALLERY: ONE LAST LOOK AT THE MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS

Dungey, Tomac and Barcia. Photo: Ray Archer

Eli Tomac (8) had the best finish of all the American riders with a second in the second moto. He also had the biggest crash of the weekend.

ELI TOMAC’S FIRST MOTO
“I didn’t get a good start in the first moto, as I spun off the line and I think my dirt was a little dry; I thought it was going to work, but it didn’t. I went through the pack a little bit, and was in third place at one point, before I made a really big mistake that sent me flying over the bars. I was flying through the air without my motorcycle, which was a little scary, but I was lucky to get up, be healthy, get back to the bike and finish it out.

Ryan Dungey. Photo: Ray Archer

Roger DeCoster and Jeffrey Herlings, who was out with a shoulder injury, share a quiet moment. Photo: Ray Archer

ELI TOMAC’S SECOND MOTO
“In the second moto I had a big battle with Roczen. He got the start, and to me whoever got the start was going to win, because we were so close with a big battle all the way through. I did get shuffled back a few times with lappers, which was what hurt me the most, and the fans were really behind him, but he rode a great race. It’s been a really cool experience, and although we are disappointed not to win, hopefully I can come back and we know we’ve got to put together all five motos for the result.”

Ryan Dungey all blinged out in his team gear. Photo: Ray Archer

Tomac’s big crash was made double worse when Justin Barcia (9) was cleaned out in a first turn crash.
 
JUSTIN BARCIA’S WEEKEND
“The weekend was good; I struggled a little and I have much respect to Team Belgium and Italy, as the tracks here are extremely tough and a lot more challenging than back at home. I know we said that last year in the sand, but these guys ride some gnarly stuff.

Team USA finished second, but they could have easily been first if the wins of fortune had blown their way. Even after crashes caused Tomac to get 16th and Barcia’s 11th, the team only needed 3 points to win. Photo: Ray Archer

JUSTIN BARCIA’S DAY
“We wanted to win bad, but these guys just out rode us this year. I got a decent start in the first race, but I rode a bit tight and struggled with some stuff, although I ended up fourth. In the second race I fell on the start and had to fight my way back from the back of the pack, which was some frustrating racing. I didn’t ride very well all weekend, but there’s a lot of cool fans here.

The crowd was massive and it rooted for the home team.

JUSTIN BARCIA‘S ON THE TRACK
“We are disappointed to finish second, but it’s been another good experience. I love racing with these guys, it was awesome. The European series is cool and the tracks are way gnarlier than back at home. I wish our tracks got like that; we can’t find anything like that in the USA to ride with it being so choppy and gnarly. Hopefully one day I can maybe come back and race the GP’s after hopefully winning some AMA championships.

Ryan Dungey checks his starting gate. Photo: Ray Archer

JUSTIN BARCIA’S FINAL WORDS
“No excuses for the race, we got beaten, but there’s nothing more in my heart. I want than to win every race. I always want to win, and that’s my goal, so I did give it 100%.”