Selecting a team to represent a nation is no easy task and for the selectors of the Australian 2016 Motocross of Nations squad, they sure were served up with multiple challenges ahead of the event held in Maggiora, Italy. In this latest Q&A feature, MotoOnline.com.au takes a closer look at the topical selection process and answers the big questions behind how it all comes together.

Q: Who makes the selections?

A: Team selection for Australia’s MXoN squad is decided by a group of four members – a manager from Motorcycling Australia (MA), a team manager, a member of the motocross commission and a fourth member elected by that group. For 2016 the members were Peter Doyle (MA CEO), Gary Benn (CDR Yamaha and Team Australia manager), Graham Baynes (motocross commissioner) and Mark Luksich (former motocross commission and current CRF Honda Racing owner).

Q: How was the 2016 team decided?

A: The selection process begins firstly with rider nominations. Riders and teams can put names forward to the group of selectors confirming they are ready and willing to contest the event. Selectors will then look at the Australian motocross standings as of a selected date and for 2016 selectors chose the eighth round of the Motul MX Nationals series as that date. Championship positions are viewed at that point in time, along with the nominated riders, the next consideration in line is international competitors. At the time of nomination, riders are asked if they are willing to contest either the MX1 or MX2 category and for 2016 the ideal team for Australia would have been Dean Ferris, Kirk Gibbs and Todd Waters, according to MA. None of the three riders were willing to drop back to the smaller machine and the next step for selectors was to look at the MX2 class, so the squad was finalised to be Gibbs (MXGP), Ferris (Open) and Jed Beaton (MX2).

Q: What do selectors do once injuries come into play?

A: 2016 saw multiple riders injured ahead of the Maggiora event. In the case of Gibbs breaking his femur during supercross training just weeks out from the race, selectors were given enough time to quickly organise a replacement in Waters. As the next rider in the final national MX1 championship standings behind Gibbs, the former MXGP regular was the go-to man for the job. The team of selectors, MA and Suzuki Australia were able to secure equipment and have everything in line for him to contest the event with time to spare. In the case of Beaton’s untimely collarbone injury while already in Europe, it was just one week out from the event and options were limited. The selectors contacted three riders as possible replacements for Beaton and it was Evans who ultimately landed the spot. A major aspect of the selection process for Beaton’s replacement was based around the Yamaha YZ250F machine already arranged for him to race in Italy, because with limited time available, all riders asked to fill Beaton’s position were required to ride the Yamaha for logistical reasons, which limited choices further.

Q: Did any riders contacted as replacements opt not to go?

A: In the search for a replacement rider for the injured Motul MX Nationals MX2 champion, multiple riders turned down the chance to represent Australia at the biggest event on the annual motocross calendar. Both American-based Hayden Mellross and Luke Clout, a two-time Team Australia representative, chose to pass up the offer, prompting 17-year-old national MXD champion Evans to make his MXoN debut.

Q: Was the reduced government funding difficult to overcome?

A: Government funding for the 2016 MXoN team was slashed considerably, this funding decrease saw both MA themselves and key players in the Australian motocross industry rise to the occasion to help raise money for our riders. Luksich himself helped raise funds, as did Yamaha Motor Australia and Kevin Williams of Williams Event Management, to name a few. These contributions lessened the financial strain considerably and allowed Team Australia to contest the event nearly fully-funded.

Q: Will we see more of a domestic-based team moving forward?

A: With a decrease in funding and the focus shifting to giving domestic contenders the chance to represent Australia on a world stage, the Australian MXoN team is expected to remain much more of a domestic affair in comparison to previous years. The cost of bringing riders such as Chad Reed to the event is much larger than bringing a rider such as Ferris from Australia. Will Australia again field internationals if the right opportunity arises? Definitely. For 2016 Reed, for example, more than likely would not have taken the spot on the team if approached. International riders being ready to race is yet another aspect of the process selectors must take into account.