Motocross' biggest single race of the year, the Motocross of Nations (MXON), will take place this year in England on the fine track of Matterley Basin on October 5-6, 2024. The Finnish team is Sampo Rainio, Emil Weckman and Jere Haavisto with team manager Kusti Manninen.

The National Team World Championship is the only international motocross competition where riders compete as a team. At the same time, it is also the only race where the riders represent their home country instead of their racing team.

The team's captain, 25-year-old Jere Haavisto, is representing Finland in the MXON for the sixth time. Haavisto, representing the Finnish Silve Racing team, has this season raced a selected number of World Championship races in the motocross main series MXGP and Finnish championship races. In addition, Haavisto has taken part in the German championship series as part of the Schmicker Racing Team. Haavisto's achievements this season also include the European Championship silver in the MX Open class in Lommel, Belgium at the end of July. Haavisto competes in the MX Open class in England with a 450cc bike.

"With Emil Weckman and Sampo Rainio we have a good team together and a really nice track to go for a good result. First of all, we have to find out on Saturday the way to Sunday's final. In the final, we will try to achieve good results. We are in a good mood going into the race", says Haavisto.

22-year-old Emil Weckman, representing the Sipoo Motor Club, is going to the fourth MXON of his career. Weckman has raced the last three seasons as a pro in the MX2 World Series of Motocross, achieving several top 10 finishes. This season, Weckman has represented the German Schmicker Racing team both in the world and the German championships this season. At Matterley Basin, however, Weckman is facing something new, as he races on a 450cc bike instead of the more familiar 250cc.

"It's a bit new, as it's the first time with the big 450 bike at the MXON and also in the toughest MXGP class. My riding style is more calm than aggressive and is therefore probably better suited for a 450. My plan is race 450 class next year so this is great way to start preparing for it. The Matterley Basin track is also one of my favorite tracks and I've always ridden well there. I'm looking forward to it so we go to the race with a good feeling", says Weckman.

A newcomer to the team, Sampo Rainio will race the MX2 class at the MXON. 20-year-old Rainio is the reigning Finnish champion of the MX2 class and has this season has competed in the motocross MX2 World Championship in the Young Motion Powered by Resa team. Rainio's best race result in the MX2 is13th place in the MXGP of Flanders.

"I am proud to be able to represent Finland for the first time at the team World Championships. Together with Jere and Emil, we have a good team and the track is one of the finest in the world. I’ve only raced there once and in very muddy weather, so it wouldn't hurt if there was a little bit of mud this time too. If we pull off the best rides of the season, the final result will certainly be good," says Rainio.

The goal is a top 15

Last year's Motocross of Nations was held on the clay track in Ernee, France. There, the team qualified directly to the A-final, where the result was 17th place.

"Our team riders Haavisto and Weckman have raced on the track several times, which helps a lot because you are not allowed to ride at Matterley Basin track outside of competitions at all. As always in modern motocross, the starts are super important and I have emphasized to the riders the importance of practicing them. The starting gate order for qualifiers is drawn, so luck also plays a big role in Saturday's qualifying. I trust our team and, as we have seen in previous years, we can get to the A-final also from the last starting place in qualification races", reflects Finnish team manager Kusti Manninen.

"Jere Haavisto is already an experienced team World championship rider and has raced a lot of international races this year, so it is appropriate to expect the best race performance of the season and thus the result. Emil Weckman has been injured this year and has now in the last few weeks ridden quite well if you take the long layoff into account. This is Sampo’s first MXON, so the pressure to do well is high, but his experience this season in MX2 world championships helps a lot. In Sunday's final, each rider's own season's best will be enough to put them in the top 15 as a team", concludes Tomi Konttinen, head coach of Finnish Motorcycle Federation.

The main partners of the Finnish National motocross team are Motonet, a Finnish specialty store chain of auto parts and accessories, tools, and home and leisure products, Koneita.com, which specializes in machine and equipment manufacturing, importation, and wholesale and retail sales, and Finnish motorcycle and cycling equipment brand Yoko. Brandix Oy, which manufactures corporate textiles and advertising and business gifts, is responsible for the national team's clothing. Xracing, Finland's leading offroad motorcycling magazine, acts as the national team's media partner.

Text: Finnish Motorcycle Federation Photos: Senni Mattila, Nea Tuikka