“I was playing with the idea to let Steve (Ramon) have a go in MX2. He’s been a world chamion in the lightest class and I think he can still mix it up with those guys. Steve has thought about it, but eventually he preferred to stay on the bike his most used to.

That’s why my choice for Jeremy Van Horebeek in MX2 was a nobrainer. He is the best Belgian in MX2 at this moment, although he still has to make the step compete with the very best in his class.

If Ramon had confirmed his presence in MX2, Smets could have chosen Kevin Strijbos either to race in MX1 or Open:

“I believe Kevin must be very hungry to get back in the game after he has been injured for three months. It’s very well possibly that he will be in his best shape by the end of September. But that’s just a risk I didn’t want to take, also it would not have been honest to Steve and Ken who are currently placed second and fourth in the World Championship. Smets also explained why he moved Ken De Dycker to MX1.

“Ken is riding MX1 because I believe he has the potential to race against James Stewart, the leader of Team USA. On the other hand it’s still possible for strategical or practical reasons to have Steve competing in MX1.”

Although this year’s battle for the Red Bull Motocross of Nations is not even over, Smets already has an eye on 2009. “Of course my job will even be harder next season! This year’s team wasn’t easy to pick, but I think I will have a luxury problem in 2009 when Kevin Strijbos will be back at full strength and Clément Desalle will have matured more. It is clear that the future of Belgian motocross still looks quite rosy.”

Team Belgium not only introduced its riders to the world motocross press, they also displayed their official MX of Nations helmet in Lommel. Steven Stuyven AKA Stoica Graffix was responsible for the design, Dutch-Belgian paintbrush ace Jan Van Hoof took care of the production.

Good news for the fans is that this special helmet will be made available to the public in a very limited edition run. Proceedings of the sale will go to the backing of Team Belium’s 2008 campaign. More information about this will follow later.

And last but not least Team Belgium also has has an exclusive MXoN fanshirt for sale.

After last year’s success the team launches a collectable follow-up that’s already yours for only 20 Euro. T-shirts will be available at the Belgian GP, but they will also be offered for sale at Belgian nationals and through the internet.CZ‡Û­