Amanda - Blog

Written by Amanda Wednesday, 07 September 2011 09:01

Sometimes, it's great to be me. I say that a bit "tongue-in-cheek", because It's not so much anything that I've done or am, I'm just a very lucky and blessed person! I have a great family, a great husband, great friends, and more.

In regards to Supercross.com, and the sport of motorcycling, I'm very lucky, and very blessed. And in less than two weeks, I be leaving California the biggest motocross race of the year - the Motocross of Nations, in France!

I'm starting to get excited about it. After all, it is the biggest MX event of the year! And info is starting to come in, like Team USA has been announced. In fact, all the teams, what class they will be racing (MX1, MX2, Open), their riding numbers, and more just came in today. (Read more here.)

The 2011 Motocross of Nations is going to be at St. Jean d'Angely, France. Team USA is the defending champion. Team USA will be Ryan Villopoto (AMA Supercross Champion and current leader of the 'Motocross' class in AMA MX), Ryan Dungey (2010 AMA Supercross Series champion, 2010 AMA Motocross champion) and Blake Baggett (has most victories in 2011 AMA 250 MX Lites class). The USA Team Manager is The Man, Roger De Coster.

St. Jean d'Angely in 2008. I arrived on time. And FedEx helped my phone to arrive two days later.

"Nations" is the one time a year when riders compete for their country. It's often called 'The Olympics of Motocross'. It's also one time a year when riders from 'both sides of the pond', or different series, or that normally race in different classes, get to race head to head against each other. Like USA's Ryan Villopoto vs. Italy's Tony Cairoli. Blake Baggett (USA) vs. Ken Roczen of Germany. UK's Tommy Searle vs. Frenchman Steven Frossard.

Most riders compete in one of two main series during the summer: the FIM World Motocross Championships, and the AMA National MX Championships. The four riders leading each of those series, at the time I write this, will all be at the Motocross of Nations! Ryan Villopoto, Dean Wilson, Tony Cairoli and Ken Roczen. (You can see race results and photos of each of the main series here.)

In addition to the USA, many other countries have strong teams. Italy, France, Belgium, Germany and other countries as well.

Not only do I get to go to the Nations, I get to work there! Of course I'll be working for Supercross.com, but for the Nations I get to do something very special, and something I love to do ... I get to help Youthstream with the worldwide television and video webcast - which you can watch - all of it Saturday and Sunday September 17 and 18 on Supercross.com!

I'd like to thank so many people that help make this reality, it's like a dream come true. First, my mentor and friend, Lex Valasakos. Lex is sometimes quiet (unless you get to know him, then it's hard to shut him up : ) and likes to stay "behind the scenes". He's pretty low-key. However, he is one of the smartest people I have ever met. You might not know it if you've only spent a little bit of time with him, but he's incredibly bright, very business-savvy, and very, very experienced in the industry. He's also a person who is honest, trustworthy, modest, and a man of integrity. Lex helps make dreams come true.

Mr. Giuseppe Luongo. Mr. Luongo is the President of Youthsteam, which owns and runs the FIM Motocross World Championship Series, the Motocross of Nations, and many other properties. I have to also include Mrs. Luongo, Ursula. Together, they are an amazing couple, in so many aspects of life. In business, in marriage - they are a great role model, simply by being two people who are so dedicated to each other.

Youthstream is many, many people, too. They have over 1000 employees. Many of them I'll work with at the Nations event in France. There are many I'd like to thank: Luigi, Danielle, Mireille, Nikos, and so many more, but I'll get to see you all in France!

Mr. Luongo, and Youthsteam help make dreams come true.

My husband Jacob. I don't need to thank you here for all that you are, I get to tell you in person! But for those of you who do not know Jacob, I'll just say again that I am very lucky and very blessed to have him in my life.

Back to MX of Nations. I'm incredibly excited to go to France and help in my own small way to be part of the Motocross of Nations. It's a bit different if you are going to watch in online. It's not just Sunday's racing. It starts on Saturday, September 17. Hours of stuff on Saturday. Hours of stuff on Sunday. Remember, if you are watching from the USA, France is nine hours ahead of California time!

Here is the 'official' info:

Supercross.com, in conjunction with Youthstream (promoters of the Motocross World Championships, and the MX of Nations) would like to announce The Fox Pack for the upcoming 65th edition of the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, in St. Jean d'Angely, France, September 17 & 18.

2011 Motocross of Nations - Live and VOD on Supercross.com - plus The Fox Pack

This includes:

• You will receive the Official Fox 2011 FIM Monster Energy Motocross of Nations T-shirt - delivered right to your doorstep!
• LIVE Saturday coverage of the MX of Nations
• LIVE Sunday coverage of the MX of Nations
• Exclusive Saturday LIVE Studio Show presented by Paul Malin and Georgia Lindsay
• Special behind the scenes reports of Team USA with our very own Amanda Woods
• Riders Interviews
• Team Presentations
• and much more!

Purchase to watch the 2011 Motocross of Nations, and The Fox Pack!

If you'd like to get your 'fix' of 'Nations' now, you can see a few videos of some previous Motocross of Nations.

• How about 2008 in England - USA wins. James Stewart, Tim Ferry, and Ryan Villopoto! It's a bit emotional when you hear the National Anthem of the USA when you are in a foreign country.

• 2009 Italy - USA wins again. This was an exciting weekend. It came down to the final moto. And this was by far, the biggest crowd I have ever seen at a motocross. The Italian crowd was more than enthusiastic - they were into it!! Another cool video. Dungey, Ivan Tedesco, and Jake Weimer for USA. Chad Reed and Tony Cairoli had a nice battle.

• And the 2010 Motocross of Nations at Thunder Valley MX in Colorado. Team USA won, with team members Ryan Dungey - fresh after sweeping both the AMA Supercross Series and the AMA National Motocross Series Championships, Andrew Short, and new 250 MX Lites champion Trey Canard.

Thanks again to so many people for helping me to fulfill some of my dreams ...

A

p.s. This week before I go to France is shaping up as something special too. I get to go to the AMA National Motocross Championship Finale at Pala MX Raceway, which is close to home. The story you'll be reading about the race - I'll be your writer! And the next day, I get to attend the season ending banquet / celebration for an entire summer of AMA Pro MX racing. Right now, Dean Wilson has wrapped up the 250 MX Lites Championship, and the 450 will come down to the wired between Ryan Villopoto who leads Ryan Dungey by 14 points with just the event at Pala left to go. Should be exciting! And in the Women's MX class, Ashley Fiolek and Jessica Patterson will battle to determine who will be crowned the Women's champ, with Ashley having a 22 point leading coming into Saturday's race.

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