We spoke to Shaun a few weeks ago and asked him about the selection for the 2010 Red Bull Motocross of Nations. At the time of the interview there wasn’t talk of Dean Wilson possibly being involved in the selection, and Shaun gave us his view on the pre-selection by team manager Steve Dixon. The pre selected riders were Brad Anderson, Jake Nicholls, Max Anstie, Tommy Searle and Simpson.

MXlarge: Shaun, what is your opinion of the riders selected in the pre-selection?

Simpson: I think normally they select five or six guys and I am one of those guys. I would have hoped I was picked with what I have done and I think I am one of the better guys in that group. It’s going to be tough for Steve; Tommy has his problems with his shoulder. Last year he really had something to prove against Marvin and I think that was more on his mind than the team thing, which at the end of the day is important, but he wanted to go for his own personal achievements. Max Anstie he is young and a little of a loose cannon, sometimes he does well and sometimes he is hit and miss. Who else is there, Brad, I haven’t seen Brad riding, Bobryshev isn’t making a fool of him in Britain, and Bobryshev is running top fives or top ten in the Grand Prix’s. I think Brad needs a little extra pace. Jake, he is solid, I think he will always be between 12^th and 8^th in the Grand Prix’s and I think that is where he is at, maybe if he gets a good start or gels with the track he might go top five or can even get on the podium, he is solid. Myself I have had a couple of consistent races, I have made steady progress, and I feel like at the moment I am one of the top contenders for the team.

MXlarge: I agree with you that Jake is solid, and I also think Jake is a good choice.

Simpson: I think Jake and myself on a 250, 350 or a 450 or Tommy on a 350 or a 450. I think it would also be a different challenge for Tommy on the bigger bike. At the moment I think that would be the most solid team at the moment. I don’t know if it would be the right choice, but it seems a good team.

MXlarge: Obviously KTM would have a big part in the support of the British team then.

Simpson: KTM would help the whole team out. I mean I think that would be the solid team at the moment. I don’t want to look like I am being disrespectful of the other guys, this is just my opinion.

MXlarge: Away from the team selection, what about the change of the calendar opening up the chance of riding doing AMA Supercross and FIM Motocross. What is your opinion?

Simpson: I think for me to do Supercross I would need a year to learn, I think any of the top Motocross guys can ride Supercross, I mean at a test track or something we could all do good lap times, but when you start riding with other guys and we all know stuff goes wrong in Supercross. Maybe Marvin and Ken could do it okay, maybe even Jeffrey. I lack that raw talent, maybe I am a little more old school, but I think I could learn it. It isn’t something I would look at doing next season, and I think going straight from Supercross to Motocross is a big difference.