The Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations has seen many great names dominate the event. From John Draper as part of the British team in the 1950s, until Stefan Everts and Ricky Carmichael who helped Belgium and America to success in more recent times.

Back in 1947 when the FIM Motocross of Nations first started, legends have shown the way and it was the British team that powered their way to victory after victory. John Draper won with Team GB in 1950, 1953, 1956 and 1959. Former World 500cc Champion Bill Nilsson of Sweden took victories in 1955, 1958 and 1961, while Jeff Smith (another former World 500cc Champion) won it with Team GB in 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967. Don and Derek Rickman won on a handful of occasions, Don in 1959, 1960, 1963, 1964, while Derek won in 1963, 1964 and 1966. Vic Eastwood also showed brilliance in this event, winning in 1965, 1966 and 1967.

The great Roger De Coster was also somebody who enjoyed success in the MXoN, winning in 1969, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1977 and 1979. Helping De Coster out in this period was Jaak Van Velthoven, who scored wins with De Coster in 1972, 1973, 1976 and 1977.Swede and doule World champion, Bengt Aberg won in 1970, 1971 and 1974, while his team-mate, Ake Jonsson won in 1970, 1971 and 1974. Andre Malherbe won with Belgium on three occasions, those in 1977, 1979 and 1980.

Of course, the 1980’s were dominated by Team USA and a major part of that period was David Bailey who won in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986. Jeff Ward was another American rider who proved even more successful, winning in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987,1988, 1989 and 1990. With his seven victories Ward is the most successful rider in the event’s history.

Ricky Johnson also won with Team USA; his wins came in 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1988.Johnny O’mara was also a four-time winner in this period, scoring victories in 1981, 1982, 1984 and 1986. Jeff Stanton was also part of the domination by Team USA, scoring wins in 1989, 1990 and 1991. Jeff Emig also won on three occasions, in 1992, 1993 and 1996.

When the American domination ended in 1994, it was Team Belgium that began to show the most strength, with Stefan Everts, Marnicq Bervoets and Joel Smets all getting their share of success. Everts won in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2003 and 2004. Bervoets won in 1995, 1997 and 1998. Smets in 1995, 1997 and 2003.

Ricky Carmichael helped Team USA rise back to the top and was also able to stand on top of the MXoN podium with victories in 2000, 2005 and 2007. In more recent years American rider Ryan Villopoto has won in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Another American Ryan Dungey has won in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Of course, since 2012, when the Euros started taking the Chamberlain trophy back, it has been a selection of French riders who have won numerous times at the Nations. Gautier Paulin won his first in 2014. Paulin won again in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, while Febvre won first time out in 2015, then in 2016, 2017 and 2023.