Germany will host the 67th edition of the iconic FIM Motocross of Nations at Teutschenthal this weekend, 28-29 September.

The 2013 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations has 41 nations entered, which is the highest number of countries entered in the history of the event, including newcomers such as Israel, but only the top 20 countries will take part in the final heats on Sunday.

Defending champions Germany with Max Nagl, Ken Roczen and Dennis Ullrich will be racing on home soil, also counting on the support of unconditional German fans who will pack Teutschenthal throughout the weekend.

Belgium still has the bittersweet feeling of last year’s second position, happy to be on the podium but they knew they could have won the event. Consequently, this weekend Joel Smets and his riders Ken De Dycker, Jeremy Van Horebeek and Clement Desalle, have only one goal, which is going back home with the Chamberlain Trophy.

Team USA finished third last year on the tough and demanding track of Lommel, but this weekend the Americans will be fully motivated to obtain what it would be their 23rd Chamberlain Trophy for Team USA.

Roger De Coster has selected Ryan Dungey, who is about to become one of the most experienced American riders in the MXoN, Justin Barcia, whose first MXoN was last year in Lommel, and rookie Eli Tomac, who has recently been crowned 250cc national champion.

Team Australia is also a strong team with the young talented riders Dean Ferris and Todd Waters, plus the experienced Brett Metcalfe, who helped his country to finish on the podium in 2011 at Saint Jean d’Angely, France.

The Netherlands had to make a last minute decision when Jeffrey Herlings announced that he was not going to race the MXoN due to a broken shoulder blade.

Doctors have advised Herlings to rest for six weeks after attempting to race his home GP recently, so The Netherlands will be represented by Marc De Reuver in MX1, GP winner Glenn Coldenhoff in MX2 and Herjan Brakke in the Open class.

Seven-time world champion Antonio Cairoli will represent Italy in MX1, with former world champion David Philippaerts in the Open class and Alessandro Lupino in MX2.

Last year Team France were not as strong as they normally are and they finished sixth in the standings, but this weekend the public will be able to see a very strong French team with Gautier Paulin, Jordi Tixier and Christophe Charlier.

Great Britain, whose last podium was back in 1997 in Nismes, Belgium, can also be one of the teams fighting for a top three finish with Tommy Searle, Jake Nicholls and Shaun Simpson, who won the last Grand Prix of the 2013 FIM MX1 World Championship two weeks ago in Lierop.

Russia could prove a big surprise this weekend, as they count with two top riders, Evgeny Bobryshev and Alexandr Tonkov. Both of them have the possibility to finish among the top five alongside Evgeny Mikhaylov.

This year’s FIM MX3 World Champion Klemen Gercar will race for Slovenia one more time and he hopes to finish among the top 10 together with Tim Gajser and Irt Matevz.