Both are obviously in a class of their own in both series, but who is the better nobody knows, despite all the American press giving Dungey the “best in the World” credit.

While Dungeys performance stands out in his rookie 450cc season, adding the AMA Motocross Championship to his AMA Supercross and AMA 125cc titles, I have to give the FIM World Champion Cairoli the top spot this month (Dungey was last month’s number one).

Antonio Cairoli

When you beat riders from Belgium, Italy, France, Latvia, America, Spain, South Africa, Great Britain, Holland, and so many other countries then in my books that is better than beating mainly American riders and a couple of Aussies. Antonio Cairoli did just that. Winning his fourth World title he is now a legend in the sport of Motocross, joining the likes of Torsten Hallman, Harry Everts and Heikki Mikkola he stands in a pretty solid place in Motocross history.

Ryan Dungey

What can be said about this kid? At 20 years of age he already has three major AMA titles, he has dominated the best in America and must go into this year’s Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations as a clear favorite for overall and team honors. What a golden year for somebody so young. Normally only riders like Ricky Carmichael, or Jeremy McGrath can usually achieve. On top of that he is a credit to his sport as your typical Mister Nice Guy. Clean cut and friendly he will become a legend if he can continue to win like he has this year.

Trey Canard

Like a lightning bolt he has dominated the AMA Lites class and deserves every bit of success. I can’t wait to see him racing Marvin Musquin, Ken Roczen and the other leading FIM World MX2 riders at the MXoN. Canard is still off the point’s lead of Christophe Pourcel, but he has every chance of entering the MXoN with an AMA title to his name and that will make for a great battle between the World Champ and the AMA Champ.

Clement Desalle

He proved on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean that he is nearly as good as both Dungey and Cairoli and he might just steal the glory at this year’s MXoN. A hard charger who should have won the GP of Brazil last week. His second place overall at the Unadilla round of the AMA Nationals was also impressive as he had problems with bike set-up. For sure the third fastest Motocross rider in the World.

Tyla Rattray

Former World Champion doing well in America, always nice to see that happen. Winning last weekend’s round of the AMA Nationals and having a child on the same weekend is pretty cool and Ratters deserves all the success. Never giving up on his American dream he has proven that hard work and dedication makes for the end goal.

Marvin Musquin

Could probably be higher on the list, but he is cruising to his second World MX2 title and you can’t blame him for taking it easy. Maybe next month with a World title to his name and a possible MX2 overall at the MXoN he might just be number one.

Ken Roczen

Has gone 1-2-1-2-1-1 in his last three races in the FIM World MX2 Championship. Taking advantage of Musquins cruise control the young German is making the most of the moment. He might just be the second best MX2 rider in the World and at this year’s MXoN we will find out just how good he is against the leading AMA riders. My tip is he continues his good run and follows Musquin home in the MXoN MX2 class.

Andrew Short

Another Mister Nice Guy, and always consistent. Not really a stand out like most of the guys on the top ten, but always there that counts for something. Also a member of the 2010 American Team for the MXoN. I can’t wait to see how he compares to Desalle, Ramon, Nagl, Boog, Leok and Bobryshev.

Christophe Pourcel

Can the stylish Frenchman win his first major AMA title? He has the skills, but his form isn’t great. Still he leads the AMA Lites Championship with two rounds to go and know what it takes to win a major title. The Former World MX2 Champion should have enough to win the American title, and then head to Denver for the MXoN with something to prove against Dungey.

Brett Metcalfe

The Aussie just piped Italian David Philippaerts and that goes mainly that it’s Metcalfe’s first year on the 450cc machines, and he nearly beat Dungey last weekend. Also gets his chances to race the leading Grand Prix riders at the MXoN, and I am sure he will show some people just how good he is. Let’s hope he can continue the good form into 2011.