Motocross of Nations: Team HRC to tackle Assen with high hopes

Michelle Liew

September 26, 2019

The Team HRC riders are all set and prepared to take on the Motocross of Nations this weekend.

Team HRC will be facing the prestigious Motocross of Nations event at the Assen racetrack in the Netherlands this weekend. The racetrack is said to be a road-racing circuit. The organisers have brought in 26,000m³ of sand to turn their facility into a motocross track.

The multinational team comprises of riders from Slovenia, the Netherlands and two riders from Japan. Taking up the task this time are Calvin Vlaanderen (Netherlands) in the MX2 class. The Dutchman is aiming to win the team’s first-ever MXON. From Slovenia is the team captain and 2019 MXGP World Champion Tim Gajser. He led the team to their second-best finish with 12th overall in 2017. As for Japan, riders Akira Narita and Toshiki Tomita will be taking on the CRF459W in the MXGP and Open classes respectively.

Calvin Vlaanderen (Team HRC MX2)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: HRC

“I am extremely excited about this years’ Motocross of Nations. It is a massive honour to get picked for the Netherlands at this race. It is even bigger because the event is in Assen, where there will be huge home support. With myself, Jeffrey and Glenn we have a really good chance at winning the event. Although we know that comes with big pressure. So now that is probably the biggest thing.” says Vlaanderen as quoted from Honda Racing Corporation.

“However I think I have shown this year that I can cope with that, and that I am a good sand rider and that I can keep pushing until the very end, and that will be my main target. It won’t be easy racing against 450s but I am confident with my Honda CRF250RW. I think we’ll have a good setup for this race. Also a big thanks to all the fans who have shown their support after it was announced I was in the team, it makes me extremely proud to have you cheering me on.”

Tim Gajser (Team HRC)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: HRC

“I always look forward to the Motocross of Nations because it is always a crazy event. It is a team event and not individual so that makes it different, but there is still a lot of pressure. I know I have to get a good result on Saturday to help us qualify for the A-Final and that is my target for now, but I think if we qualify we could have a good weekend because we have a good team and we will have a lot of support from all the great Slovenian fans who will come here.”