Motocross of Nations (MXon) is both the ultimate test and honour for the elite group of riders chosen to take part.

With the world and domestic championships signed and sealed, the slate is wiped clean as riders return to their roots to pull on jerseys emblazoned with their national colours.

The dynamic is different across the board. In some cases, ferocious rivalries must be put on ice to work towards the common goal. In others, mates who compete thousands of kilometres apart are reunited for a few days.

41 teams and 133 riders have the honour of representing their countries as the event kicks off in Teutschenthal, Germany this week, with in excess of 70,000 fans expected to make their way to see the spectacle.

2013 sees Germany carry the defending champions mantle into the event after spectacularly upstaging the United States who were riding a seven-year win streak before the sands of Lommel in Belgium swallowed their chances.

Despite that minor blip, the US is still far and away the most dominant nation of the modern era, having won 11 of the last 20 events since Australia hosted the 1992 MxON in Manjimup.

20 years of MxON winners:

2012: Lommel, Belgium
Germany – Maximilian Nagl, Ken Roczen and Marcus Schiffer

2011: Saint-Jean-d’Angély, France
USA – Ryan Dungey, Blake Baggett and Ryan Villopoto

2010: Lakewood, United States
USA – Ryan Dungey, Trey Canard and Andrew Short

2009: Franciacorta, Italy
USA – Ryan Dungey, Jake Weimer and Ivan Tedesco

2008: Donington Park, UK
USA – James Stewart, Ryan Villopoto and Tim Ferry

2007: Budds Creek, United States
USA Ricky Carmichael, Ryan Villopoto and Tim Ferry

2006: Matterley Basin, UK
USA – James Stewart, Ryan Villopoto and Ivan Tedesco

2005: Ernée, France
USA – Ricky Carmichael, Kevin Windham and Ivan Tedesco

2004: Lierop, Netherlands
Belgium – Stefan Everts, Steve Ramon and Kevin Strijbos

2003: Zolder, Belgium
Belgium – Stefan Everts, Steve Ramon and Joël Smets

2002: Bellpuig, Spain
Italy – Andrea Bartolini, Alessio Chiodi and Alessandro Puzar

2001: Namur, Belgium
France – Yves Demaria, Luigi Seguy and David Vuillemin

2000: Saint-Jean-d’Angély, France
USA – Ricky Carmichael, Ryan Hughes and Travis Pastrana

1999: Indaiatuba, Brazil
Italy – Andrea Bartolini, Alessio Chiodi and Claudio Federici

1998: Foxhills, UK
Belgium – Marnicq Bervoets, Patrick Caps and Stefan Everts

1997: Nismes, Belgium
Belgium – Marnicq Bervoets, Stefan Everts and Joël Smets

1996: Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
USA – Jeff Emig, Steve Lamson and Jeremy McGrath

1995: Sverepec, Slovakia
Belgium – Marnicq Bervoets, Stefan Everts and Joël Smets

1994: Roggenburg, Switzerland
Great Britain – Rob Herring, Paul Malin and Kurt Nicoll

1993: Schwanenstadt, Austria
USA – Jeff Emig, Mike Kiedrowski and Jeremy McGrath

1992: Manjimup, Australia
USA Jeff Emig, Mike LaRocco and Billy Liles