It’s been a sensational month, with amazing racing worldwide, and I figured it is a good time to rate our top ten motocross riders from the last four weeks. So much talent in the world at the moment, and the battles between Jeffrey Herlings and Antonio Cairoli are stealing most of the headlines, so much so that its really hard to even think about guys like Jonass, Prado, Musquin or Tomac, but of course these four are also in great battles for championships. 

1. There is no doubt, Jeffrey Herlings is number one in the world at the moment, and his speed every single GP he races is just mind blowing. A good friend in America told me he isn’t that much better than in 2017, but believe me, this Jeffrey Herlings is a totally different animal to last year. Smarter, quicker and without doubt better. I just wonder when he stops getting better? 

2. Right on the tail of Herlings is Cairoli, and while Herlings seems to be controlling the racing, Cairoli isn’t looking slow, and at his ripe old age of 32-year-old is like our previous King Stefan Everts maturing like wine. People might say he is old, but he is riding better than ever, and faster than ever, and the risks he is taking in 2018, are the biggest he has ever taken. You got to love his determination and never give up attitude, because Herlings has broken everyone else in the class apart from the Sicilian. 

3. Marvin Musquin. The Frenchman has taken over in USA, and his overall victory and gaining the leading in the AMA 450 championship means he is now the man in America. At times not really pushing his limit, he is one of the smartest riders in the World, and if he is crowned American champion, then his selection for the French MXoN is assured, in fact, it is understood he is already in Team France. 

4. Jorge Prado. This Spanish kid is the most exciting teenager in the world, and while many might look at the AMA 250 championship as being stronger than MX2, I start to wonder. Prado and Pauls Jonass have taken this series to another level, and many riders are following their path. Its little wonder American teams have picked up Thomas Covington and Hunter Lawrence from this class. Prado is the real deal, and he might just be the guy to battle Herlings in the future.

5. Eli Tomac. It is hard to leave a rider of his talent out of the top five, but he is again showing signs of weakness, and that’s a pity. On his day the fastest rider in the world, but seemingly brittle under pressure. Team USA will need a fully focused and determined Tomac in October, but like he has proven in his other MXoN performances, his speed is often overtaken by his mistakes. 

6. Pauls Jonass. The Latvian isn’t 100% at the moment, and isn’t letting on what his problems are, but he is determined to head to the MXGP class with his second MX2 championship. Some training crashes have left him battered and bruised, but he still showed last weekend that he means business in the MX2 class.

7. Ken Roczen. How we all hope he comes back to his best, and he is starting to show signs of it. The best rider in America when fully fit, and if he can slowly get back to what he once was, or even close, then Musquin and Tomac will have their hands full. As determined as he is talented and for sure he can move up into the top three in this list with a little more confidence. 

8. Aaron Plessinger will get his chance to show just how good he is at the MXoN, because it will be hard not to pick him for Team USA. If his lead in the AMA 250 Nationals is anything to go by, he should be able to run with Prado and Jonass, and on home soil might just win the MX2 overall. Seemingly a fun guy, and with a great attitude, his future should be as bright as his past six months. 

9. Justin Barcia. Back to his best and showing signs of MXoN form. Please, please, please, a team in Europe sign him up and I look forward seeing him race for Team USA at the MXoN, on home soil. He deserves to go 1-1 at that event, as his battles with the best euros at this event prove that he is as good as nearly anyone in the World. But again, we want him in Europe and there must be a place for him in the MXGP championship. Husqvarna, Kawasaki, Yamaha, who have spots open, are you listening? 

10. Tim Gajser, the two-time world motocross champion is back to nearly his best and he showed in the second Indonesian GP that he means business, battling Herlings and keeping the Dutchman honest. I sure hope he remains like this and he can also show his best at RedBud, because he will love that place. Loket in a weeks’ time, or Lommel, I hope he can finally get a win in 2018 and gain some lost confidence.

Ray Archer image